J&K Police has put up posters in Shopian district announcing Rs 20 lakh reward for any information about those involved in the Pahalgam Terrorist Attack
The Jammu and Kashmir Police have intensified their efforts to combat terrorism following the devastating Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, 2025, which claimed 26 lives, including 25 tourists and one Nepali citizen. As part of their response, security agencies have displayed posters across Shopian district, offering a ₹20 lakh reward for credible information leading to the capture of three suspected Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists involved in the attack: Adil Hussain Thoker, a resident of Anantnag, and two Pakistani nationals, Ali Bhai (aka Talha Bhai) and Hashim Musa (aka Suleiman). The posters, bearing the message “Terror Free Kashmir,” aim to encourage public cooperation while assuring informants’ identities will remain confidential.
The attack, claimed by The Resistance Front (TRF), an LeT offshoot, was one of the deadliest in the Kashmir Valley since the 2019 Pulwama attack. It targeted tourists in Baisaran meadow, near Pahalgam, with the apparent intent to disrupt peace and damage the region’s tourism-driven economy. India responded with “Operation Sindoor” on May 7, striking nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, targeting LeT and Jaish-e-Mohammed infrastructure.
The reward announcement has sparked calls for unity in Kashmir against Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. Posts on X reflect public sentiment urging Kashmiris to support the government’s efforts by sharing information to neutralize the terrorists. Some voices, including local leaders, have condemned the attack as an assault on the region’s stability, with suggestions for a special assembly session to address Pakistan’s role in fostering terrorism.
This development coincides with ongoing security operations, including an encounter in Shopian on May 13, where one LeT terrorist was killed and two others remain trapped, highlighting the region’s volatile security situation. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is also probing the attack, identifying TRF chief Sajjad Gul as a key mastermind.
The ₹20 lakh reward and the “Terror Free Kashmir” campaign signal a robust push to dismantle terror networks, but they also underscore the challenges of rooting out Pakistan-backed militancy in the region. Public cooperation and regional unity will be critical to restoring peace in Kashmir.
