Security agencies have released sketches of the terrorists involved in Tuesday's terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam that left 26 dead.
Four terrorists attacked while three others, including Aadil Guree and Asif Sheikh, provided support, News18 reported. The sketches, based on eyewitness accounts and preliminary intelligence, is expected to help local authorities identify the perpetrators.
The Resistance Front (TRF), a shadow outfit of the banned Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), claimed responsibility for the attack, according to PTI.
Follow live updates of J&K terror attack here.
The attack took place at the scenic Baisaran meadow, a popular tourist spot near Pahalgam which is also referred to as "mini Switzerland".
According to a report by News18, some victims were shot from a distance using sniper-like tactics, while several others died due to excessive blood loss. The report stated that the location was deliberately chosen to delay rescue efforts.
A US-based Kolkata techie, an excise inspector from Bihar, a realtor from Karnataka, an accountant from Odisha, a Navy officer were among those killed, according to reports.
Authorities also released an image of one of the attackers carrying an automatic weapon and running around the meadow.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah rushed to Kashmir and reviewed the situation with Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. "With a heavy heart, paid last respects to the deceased of the Pahalgam terror attack. Bharat will not bend to terror. The culprits of this dastardly terror attack will not be spared," said Shah.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi cut short his Saudi Arabia visit. According to reports, RPM Modi's plane avoided Pakistan airspace while returning from Jeddah. The aircraft flew over Arabian Sea and entered Indian space over Gujarat. Upon his arrival on Wednesday, he held a meeting with National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar at the airport.
PM Modi is likely to hold a cabinet security meeting on Wednesday evening.
Top Lashkar-e-Taiba commander Abu Musa had called for bloodshed in Kashmir just days ahead of the attack.
In a rally held in Rawalkot's Khai Gala in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) on April 18 in memory two terrorists neutralized by Indian security forces, Musa called for attacks in Kashmir in retaliation to India's decisions on abrogating Article 370 and Article 35A in Kashmir.
"India removed Article 370 and 35A to change the demography. You deployed your 10 lakh army. You wanted to echo 'Ram Ram' in Pulwama, Poonch, Rajouri. Lashkar-e-Taiba accepts your challenge," Musa is heard saying in a video of the rally shared online.
Musa further talked about avenging the death of "martyrs" and called for bloodshed in Kashmir.
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