Who is Altaf Lalli? Top LeT commander's elimination a 'big achievement' after Pahalgam attack

Indian Army

Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) commander Altaf Lalli, a senior figure in the Pakistan-backed terror outfit, was killed during a joint operation conducted by the Indian Army and the Jammu and Kashmir Police in Bandipora district on Friday.

The operation began in the early hours of Friday morning, following intelligence inputs about the presence of terrorists in the Bandipora area. The security forces launched a coordinated search mission. Upon establishing contact with the militants, a firefight occurred.

During the initial exchange of gunfire, one of the terrorists, Altaf Lalli, sustained injuries before being fatally shot. Two police personnel, part of the personal security detail of a senior officer, were also wounded in the operation.

Who is Altaf Lalli?

Altaf Lalli held a senior leadership position within LeT and was on the radar of security agencies for his involvement in orchestrating multiple militant activities in Jammu and Kashmir.

He was suspected of playing a direct role in the planning and execution of the April 22 Pahalgam attack, where terrorists opened fire on a group of tourists. The attackers targeted non-Muslims after checking identification cards, resulting in the death of 26 civilians, including one Nepali national.

The operation that led to Lalli’s death is being described as a major breakthrough in India’s ongoing mission to bring the perpetrators of the Pahalgam massacre to justice.

Following his killing, the security establishment has ramped up pressure on remaining LeT operatives. Properties linked to other suspects, such as Adil Hussain Thoker and Asif Sheikh, both believed to have played roles in the Pahalgam attack—have been demolished using controlled explosives and bulldozers.