Srinagar, Apr 24 (UNI) J&K police on Thursday released sketches of three terrorists, including two Pakistani nationals, allegedly involved in the Pahalgam terror attack, and detained over 1,500 suspects for questioning as part of the ongoing investigation, top security officials said here.

In one of the deadliest terror attacks in J&K, 25 tourists and a local resident were shot dead on Tuesday at Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam. The attack plunged the nation into mourning.

Police released sketches of three attackers and identified them as Adil Hussain Thokar from Anantnag and two Pakistanis - Ali Bahi alias Talha Bahi and Hashim Musa alias Suleman.

Police have also announced a reward of Rs 20 lakh for each of the three attackers

“The three are involved in the terrorist attack on civilians in Baisaran Pahalgam,” police said.

Sources said a local militant Thokar alias Aadil Guree, a resident of Bijbehara, travelled to Pakistan in 2018 on valid travel document after completing his post-graduation in Urdu. Security agencies believe that he returned last year and was active in south Kashmir.

Hours after the attack, the Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, claimed responsibility for the attack on tourists.

Meanwhile, in a major crackdown, around 1,500 suspects have been detained from several districts of the valley in the last two days for questioning.

A top police officer said those detained include suspected overground workers (OGWs) and those with prior records linked to militant activities.

The case is currently being investigated by the J&K Police after it registered a case at police station Pahalgam. The National Investigation Agency is likely to take over the investigation of the case in the coming days.

The tourist resort of Pahalgam observed a shutdown for the second day on Thursday to protest the killing of the tourists.

UNI MJR SSP