A recent report indicates that the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, which claimed the lives of 25 tourists and one civilian, was entirely orchestrated and controlled by Pakistan’s political and military leadership. The plot, directed by the top brass, was carried out by ISI and LeT. The Times of India reported, citing security sources.

According to the report, the Pahalgam terror attack was similar to the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, as both operations involved only Pakistani terrorists. To keep the secrecy of the plot, it is said that the ISI reportedly instructed Pakistan-based LeT commander Sajid Jutt to deploy foreign terrorists operating in Jammu and Kashmir and avoid local Kashmiri militants. The gruesome murders in Pahalgam’s Baisaran valley involved minimal interference from local militants on the ISI’s payroll, with the team ensuring limited local involvement on a strict “need-to-know” basis.

Sulaiman- The Master Brain

According to the report, the attack was led by Sulaiman. He is a former Pakistani special forces commando. Sulaiman trained at LeT’s Muridke centre in Pakistan’s Punjab before infiltrating into Jammu in 2022. Two other Pakistani terrorists were part of the team.

Sulaiman’s interference came up as the satellite phone records indicated Sulaiman’s presence in the Tral forest on 15 April. This indicates that Sulaiman stayed close to the attack site at Baisaran for nearly a week before striking. Sulaiman was also involved in an attack on an Army truck in April 2023. While J&K Police initially suspected Pakistani terrorists Hashim Musa and Ali Bhai were involved in the Pahalgam attack. However, the report says that the investigation has so far confirmed only Sulaiman’s role.