Indian soldiers on Friday demolished the family homes of Adil Hussain Thokar and Ashif Sheikh, two suspects wanted in connection with the deadly Pahalgam massacre that killed 26 civilians earlier this week in India-administered Kashmir.
The demolition comes amid an intense manhunt launched by Indian security forces for those allegedly involved in Tuesday’s assault. Authorities claim the suspects are linked to the Pakistan-based group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), which is listed as a terrorist organisation by the United Nations.
Wanted posters have been issued featuring sketches of three individuals: Indian national Adil Hussain Thokar, and two Pakistani citizens identified as Ali Bhai and Hashim Musa. Indian forces are also pursuing Ashif Sheikh, another Indian citizen.
Family members of Thokar and Sheikh have been detained for questioning, according to both police and relatives.
In the southern Tral region of Kashmir, Ashif Sheikh’s sister, Yasmeena, described the moment soldiers surrounded their home overnight. “A soldier climbed over our compound wall. After a while, there was a loud, terrifying blast—the entire house was reduced to rubble,” she told reporters, noting that the house was empty at the time.
A similar demolition was carried out at Thokar’s family home in the Bijbehara area early Friday. Police say both men have been active for several years as part of The Resistance Front (TRF), a faction of LeT.
“They are long-time members of TRF and have been involved in previous attacks on security forces,” a senior police intelligence officer told AFP, speaking anonymously due to restrictions on speaking to the press.
Authorities have announced a reward of two million rupees (approximately $23,500) for information leading to the arrest of each suspect.
Meanwhile, tensions between India and Pakistan continue to spiral, with both sides exchanging fire across the Line of Control, and diplomatic ties plunging to their lowest in years.
