House of LeT Terrorist Asif Sheikh Involved in Pahalgam Attack Destroyed in Tral

The residence of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist Asif Sheikh, who was suspected of planning the Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 civilians were killed, was destroyed in Tral, South Kashmir, in a security operation. Explosives placed inside the home of Sheikh in Monghama village were detonated during a search by security personnel, flattening the building. 

A second LeT militant, Adil Hussain Thokar of Bijbehara (Anantnag), also lost his house in the same blast. Both terrorists are charged with facilitating Pakistan-based assailants in the April 22 Baisaran meadows massacre.

Thokar, who was a "most-wanted" terrorist with a bounty of ₹20 lakh, is said to have allegedly led Pakistani militants after training in Pakistan in 2018. The role of Sheikh, according to reports, involved providing logistical assistance to the attack. The demolitions came after Home Minister Amit Shah ordered "strict action" against terror facilitators, with security forces ratcheting up crackdowns throughout Kashmir.

The operation came on the heels of Pakistani soldiers shooting at Indian positions along the LoC late Thursday, which was followed by Indian retaliatory fire. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaffirmed India's commitment to "track down every terrorist," while Army Chief Gen. Upendra Dwivedi inspected security in Srinagar.