DGP Prabhat Oversees Ground Ops, NIA Takes Probe as Forces Employ Drones, Choppers; ₹20 Lakh Reward Offered
- In direct retaliation for the Pahalgam massacre, security forces demolished structures linked to identified terrorists Asif Sheikh in Moghama Tral and Aadil Thokar in Bijbehara, both confirmed by police as linked to the attack.
- Intensified anti-terror operations sweep South Kashmir (Anantnag, Kulgam, Pulwama, Shopian) and parts of Jammu region, personally supervised by Director General of Police (DGP) Nalin Prabhat, utilizing drones and helicopters.
- The National Investigation Agency (NIA), led by IG Vijay Sakhare, formally assumes control of the investigation, examining local and cross-border connections; a forensic team visited the Baisaran attack site.
- A ₹20 Lakh reward is announced for information leading to the capture or neutralization of the attackers (Ref: FIR No. 25/2025 PS Pahalgam); ongoing operations saw encounters in Bandipora and Udhampur, alongside LoC firing.
Jammu, April 25, 2025: Jammu and Kashmir security forces have launched a multi-pronged offensive targeting terrorists and their support networks following the horrific Pahalgam attack that left 26 civilians dead. In a clear message of zero tolerance, structures associated with two terrorists identified as linked to the carnage were demolished, while massive search operations, spearheaded personally by Director General of Police (DGP) Nalin Prabhat, are underway across sensitive districts.
The immediate aftermath saw decisive action against the infrastructure of terror. During a search at the Moghama Tral residence of Asif Sheikh, identified by police as involved in the Pahalgam attack, forces discovered a suspicious box with protruding wires. An Indian Army RR Engineers team confirmed the threat, and the device was destroyed in-situ via a controlled explosion, causing partial damage to the house after the area was secured and neighbouring homes evacuated. Separately, the house of another alleged terrorist involved, Aadil Thokar of Bijbehara, was demolished by security forces. Police confirmed both individuals are active terrorists connected to the brutal killings in Pahalgam.
The counter-terrorism grid is operating at maximum intensity across South Kashmir, with DGP Nalin Prabhat personally overseeing operations in Anantnag, Kulgam, Pulwama, and Shopian. Advanced surveillance technology, including drones and helicopters, is being employed extensively to track the perpetrators. Searches have been intensified at the residences of known active terrorists and suspected Over Ground Workers (OGWs) to dismantle any potential support systems or safe havens. Security has been significantly heightened across the entire Union Territory.
Formally taking charge of the investigation, a National Investigation Agency (NIA) team led by Inspector General Vijay Sakhare, based in Srinagar, is probing the attack’s complex dimensions, examining both local complicity and crucial cross-border linkages, with J&K Police providing logistical and intelligence support. A team of forensic experts meticulously combed the Baisaran attack site in Pahalgam, collecting vital evidence.
The heightened operational tempo has led to further confrontations. In North Kashmir’s Bandipora district, two policemen sustained injuries during an encounter that erupted when hiding terrorists opened fire on a cordon and search operation in Kulnar Bazipora on Friday. This follows the tragic loss of a Special Forces para commando during an encounter in the Dudu-Basantgarh area of Udhampur district on Thursday, where forces engaged a group of 3-4 suspected recently infiltrated terrorists.
Simultaneously, massive search operations are scouring the Jammu region. Based on a woman’s report of spotting four suspicious individuals, J&K Police’s Special Operations Group launched extensive combing operations in Kathua. Searches were also conducted near the Railway Yard in the Chann Rorian area of Hiranagar sector following intelligence inputs about suspicious movements.
Adding to the tense atmosphere, Pakistani Army soldiers initiated small arms fire towards an Indian position along the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir. Indian soldiers retaliated appropriately, though no casualties were reported on either side. The incident prompted the United Nations to urge both India and Pakistan to exercise maximum restraint.
Seeking public cooperation, the Jammu and Kashmir Police released sketches of three suspected terrorists involved in the Pahalgam attack and announced a substantial cash reward of ₹20 Lakh for credible information leading to their neutralization. Authorities assured informants of strict confidentiality, providing contact details for the Senior Superintendent of Police, Anantnag (9596777666), the Police Control Room (9596777669), and an email address (dpoanantnag-jk@nic.in). The case is registered under FIR No. 25/2025 at Police Station Pahalgam.
