J&K: Houses of 3 Pahalgam terrorists demolished

In a stern message to local terrorists and their families, J&K administration on Friday demolished the houses of three terrorists involved in the Pahalgam attack .

The houses of Adil Hussain Thoker alias Adil Guree in Bijbehara of Anantnag; Asif Sheikh in Awantipora; and Ahsan Sheikh in Pulwama were quietly razed on Thursday and Friday night.

The administration ensured that none of their family members was inside when the houses were destroyed. In fact, a source indicated they were aware of the impending demolition as they had vacated the houses beforehand with their important belongings.

The detonation was controlled to ensure adjacent dwellings were not damaged; the precision meant to convey the message that the authorities had no malice towards the general public. There may be more demolitions, according to the source. "The action is clearly aimed at disincentivising local terrorism or any kind of support to terror," a J&K govt functionary told TOI.

'Razings a stern reminder of price to pay for terror'

It is a stern reminder to local youths that if they pick up the gun and join terror ranks, their families will have a heavy price to pay. Their families will also be denied govt benefits and facilities including passports, govt jobs, police clearances. This is all part of the Centre's and J&K administration's zero-tolerance policy against terrorism," the J&K govt functionary said.

Adil, who legally travelled to Pakistan via Attari-Wagah border crossing in 2018, completed his terror training there and infiltrated back into Kashmir sometime last year, is said to have played guide to and arranged logistics for the attack team that comprised two hardcore Pakistani terrorists Hashim Musa and Ali Talha and a local terrorist from Awantipora, Asif Sheikh. Adil is said to have helped with reconnaissance of the attack site.

Asif, one of the leading terrorists active in Tral, Pulwama and Kulgam, is said to have been roped in by the Pakistani terrorists since he was familiar with the terrain, hideouts and escape routes around Baisaran. Ahsan Sheikh, a LeT terrorist active in Pulwama, is said to have arranged logistics for Pahalgam attack.

This is not the first time the home of a terrorist has been demolished by the J&K admin. A few months ago, the house of local terrorist Haroon Ganai from Anantnag, who was recruited by Pakistan's ISI, was demolished in a similar manner. An intelligence official said his family is believed to have contacted him after the demolition, cursing him for destroying their lives.