Security forces on Thursday demolished the houses of two suspected terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag district, a day after a police head constable was shot dead while on Amarnath Yatra security duty. The action was taken as part of the investigation into the attack, with security agencies simultaneously expanding anti-terror operations across the Kashmir Valley.

According to officials, the demolished properties belonged to Adil Thoker, a resident of Guri village in Bijbehara, and Haroon Ganai, a resident of Hasanpora. Authorities alleged that both men were involved in the attack that claimed the life of Head Constable Ashiq Hussain Qureshi earlier this week.

Officials said explosive devices were used to demolish the two houses after evidence collection and as part of the ongoing investigation. Security agencies are examining the broader network that allegedly assisted the suspects.

Head Constable Qureshi, who was attached to the Indian Reserve Police (IRP) and the Special Operations Group (SOG), was deployed for security arrangements related to the annual Amarnath Yatra. The attack took place at around 12:30 pm on Tuesday near Lal Chowk in Anantnag, even though the pilgrimage had been temporarily suspended because of adverse weather conditions.

Police said unidentified terrorists opened fire on the officer from close range. Security personnel present in the area retaliated, leading to a brief exchange of gunfire before the attackers managed to escape. Qureshi suffered critical injuries and was rushed to the Government Medical College (GMC) Hospital in Anantnag, where doctors declared him dead.

The slain officer was a resident of Budgam district and is survived by his wife and three children.

Officials alleged that Adil Thoker is linked to the banned terrorist organisation Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). Security agencies identified Haroon Ganai as being associated with Hizbul Mujahideen (HM), although another official statement described both suspects as members of Lashkar-e-Taiba. Investigators are continuing to verify the operational links of the two accused.

According to security officials, Thoker allegedly travelled to Pakistan through the Attari-Wagah border in 2018, where he is suspected to have undergone terrorist training before infiltrating back into Jammu and Kashmir last year.

Authorities also said that The Resistance Front (TRF), which security agencies describe as a proxy outfit linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba, has claimed responsibility for the killing of the police officer.

Following the incident, Jammu and Kashmir Police, along with the Army and other security forces, launched an extensive search operation across the Valley. Officials said more than 2,000 suspected Over Ground Workers (OGWs) have been detained for questioning as part of a wider crackdown aimed at dismantling terrorist support networks.

Security agencies are focusing on identifying individuals suspected of providing militants with shelter, transportation, financial support and communication assistance. Search operations and surveillance have been intensified in Anantnag and several other districts.

The latest attack comes amid heightened security concerns in Jammu and Kashmir following a series of recent terrorist incidents. On July 18, security forces foiled a suspected infiltration attempt along the Line of Control in Rajouri after an exchange of fire with suspected infiltrators. Earlier, on July 8, security forces eliminated Lashkar-e-Taiba commander Zakir Ahmed Gani during an encounter in Shopian. He was among the most wanted terrorists identified after the Pahalgam terror attack.

Authorities have reiterated that anti-terror operations will continue across the Union Territory, with investigations underway to identify those involved in recent attacks and dismantle the infrastructure supporting militant activities.

Fresh allegations have emerged regarding Pakistan’s security establishment and its alleged links with extremist networks. According to a report, efforts are underway to politically contain Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman after he publicly criticised Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir and questioned his security policies.

The claims, reported by CNN-News18, centre on a meeting between Pakistan Ulema Council Chairman Hafiz Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi and Hafiz Talha Saeed, the son of UN-designated terrorist Hafiz Saeed. Intelligence sources quoted in the report described the meeting as a strategic discussion aimed at formulating a coordinated response to Fazlur Rehman’s recent remarks against the military leadership.

According to the report, the meeting took place at Markaz Quba and involved discussions on managing the political fallout from Rehman’s criticism. Sources indicated that participants explored ways to reduce his growing influence without triggering a direct confrontation with one of Pakistan’s most prominent religious and political figures.

Strategy to Manage Dissent

Fazlur Rehman has in recent months emerged as one of the most vocal critics of General Asim Munir’s leadership, questioning both security policies and governance decisions. His statements have attracted attention across Pakistan’s political landscape and have added pressure on an establishment that traditionally wields significant influence over national affairs.

Sources cited in the report claimed that the gathering focused on adopting a calibrated approach toward Rehman. Rather than openly confronting him, those involved reportedly discussed highlighting positive aspects of his political career while simultaneously discouraging further criticism of the military.

The report alleged that Lashkar-e-Taiba-linked figures advised clerics to maintain a softer public tone while conveying a clear warning against continued attacks on the army leadership. Observers view such an approach as an attempt to manage dissent through informal networks rather than through conventional political channels.

Questions Over Military Links

The allegations have once again raised concerns about the relationship between Pakistan’s military establishment and extremist organisations. Security analysts have long argued that some groups originally cultivated for strategic purposes have gradually become part of broader political calculations within the country.

According to the report, Pakistan’s military establishment views certain religious and militant-linked networks as a mechanism to shield itself from rising political criticism. The alleged use of such actors as a “domestic firewall” reflects concerns about the growing challenge posed by political dissent.

If proven, the claims would further intensify international scrutiny of Pakistan’s handling of organisations that remain linked to designated terrorist entities.

Echoes of Balochistan

The latest controversy also recalls previous allegations involving Balochistan, where activists and rights groups have accused state agencies of using proxy networks to intimidate critics and suppress dissent.

In 2025, reports alleged that Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) was using Islamic State-linked cells to threaten Baloch activists. Rights campaigners claimed that extremist propaganda circulating at the time closely mirrored narratives promoted by sections of Pakistan’s security establishment.

A Baloch activist, speaking anonymously in those reports, argued that both ISIS-linked groups and state agencies sought to portray peaceful rights campaigners as supporters of militancy. According to activists, such efforts were aimed at undermining growing international awareness of alleged human rights violations and resource exploitation in the province.

Pakistan’s authorities have consistently denied allegations linking state institutions to extremist organisations. However, concerns surrounding civil-military relations and the influence of militant networks continue to attract attention from international observers and policy experts.

A Jammu and Kashmir Police head constable was killed in a terrorist attack in the Lal Chowk area of Anantnag district on Wednesday, highlighting the continuing security challenges in the Kashmir Valley during the ongoing Amarnath Yatra. The Resistance Front (TRF), a Pakistan-backed terrorist outfit linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba, has claimed responsibility for the attack.

According to security officials, terrorists opened fire on police personnel at around 12:30 pm while they were deployed in the busy Lal Chowk market as part of security arrangements for the annual Amarnath Yatra. Security personnel immediately retaliated, leading to a brief exchange of fire.

Head Constable Ashiq Hussain sustained critical bullet injuries during the attack. He was rushed for medical treatment but succumbed to his injuries before reaching the hospital.

Massive Search Operation Underway

Following the attack, the Jammu and Kashmir Police, the Indian Army, and other security agencies launched a large-scale cordon-and-search operation across the area.

Officials sealed all entry and exit routes around Lal Chowk and intensified vehicle checks and identity verification of pedestrians. Additional security personnel were deployed to prevent any further incident and to trace the attackers.

Investigators are working to determine the number of terrorists involved and the escape route they may have used. Preliminary assessments indicate that the attackers may still be hiding in nearby localities, prompting security forces to continue search operations.

Attack During Amarnath Yatra Security

The incident occurred while police personnel were deployed to ensure security for pilgrims undertaking the annual Amarnath Yatra, one of the country's largest religious pilgrimages. Authorities have maintained heightened security across Jammu and Kashmir during the yatra, deploying thousands of police and paramilitary personnel to secure pilgrimage routes and sensitive locations.

Despite the attack, officials said security arrangements for the pilgrimage remain fully operational, with additional vigilance being maintained across the Valley.

TRF Claims Responsibility

Soon after the attack, The Resistance Front (TRF) claimed responsibility. The outfit has been identified by Indian security agencies as a proxy organisation linked to the Pakistan-based terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and has been involved in several attacks targeting civilians and security personnel in Jammu and Kashmir.

Security agencies are investigating the claim while continuing efforts to identify and neutralise those involved in Wednesday's attack.

Recent Security Alert Along the LoC

The incident comes just days after the Indian Army thwarted a suspected infiltration attempt along the Line of Control (LoC) in Rajouri district.

On the night of 17 July, Army personnel detected suspicious movement near the Tarkundi forward area and opened fire. Officials said intermittent firing continued for nearly 90 minutes. Although no casualties were reported, security forces believe suspected militants were attempting to infiltrate into Indian territory.

A search operation was launched after the firing, but no arrests were made.

Security Vigil Intensified

Following the Anantnag attack, security agencies have further strengthened surveillance across south Kashmir. Intelligence units are coordinating with local police and Army formations to prevent additional attacks, particularly during the Amarnath Yatra.

Officials have appealed to residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity, while assuring that all necessary measures are being taken to maintain peace and ensure the safety of pilgrims and civilians.

A special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court has issued a non-bailable warrant (NBW) against Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) chief Hafiz Saeed in connection with the investigation into the deadly Pahalgam terror attack, marking a significant development in one of India's most closely watched terror cases.

The warrant was issued on July 8, two days after the NIA filed a supplementary chargesheet before the Special NIA Court in Jammu, naming Saeed as an accused. The agency has charged him both in his personal capacity and as the head of the banned terrorist organisation Lashkar-e-Taiba and its proxy outfit, The Resistance Front (TRF).

Court Approves NIA Request

According to the court order, the NIA informed the court that Saeed, currently believed to be residing in Pakistan's Punjab province, has deliberately evaded arrest despite being a key accused in the case.

The agency sought an open-dated non-bailable warrant, arguing that Saeed's arrest and custodial interrogation are essential for carrying out a fair and comprehensive investigation into the terror conspiracy.

Accepting the plea, the Special Judge directed that the warrant be forwarded to the Deputy Inspector General (DIG), NIA Jammu, for execution in accordance with legal procedures.

Multiple Charges Invoked

The supplementary chargesheet invokes several provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, along with relevant sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967.

Investigators have alleged that Saeed played a significant role in planning and supporting terrorist activities linked to the Pahalgam attack through Lashkar-e-Taiba and The Resistance Front.

Attack Claimed 26 Lives

The Pahalgam terror attack, carried out on April 22 last year, claimed the lives of 26 people, most of them tourists visiting the popular destination in south Kashmir. The incident ranks among the deadliest terror attacks in the region in recent years and triggered a massive nationwide security response.

Following the attack, the NIA took over the investigation and has since filed multiple chargesheets while expanding its probe into the alleged cross-border terror network.

Hafiz Saeed's Terror Background

Hafiz Saeed has long been designated a global terrorist by both India and the United States. He is widely regarded as the mastermind behind the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks that killed more than 160 people.

India has repeatedly sought stronger international action against Saeed, accusing him of directing and supporting multiple terrorist operations targeting the country.

The latest court order is expected to strengthen India's legal case as investigators continue pursuing individuals allegedly involved in planning and executing the Pahalgam attack.

Investigation Continues

Officials have indicated that the supplementary chargesheet forms part of the broader investigation into the conspiracy behind the attack. The non-bailable warrant will remain an important legal instrument as the NIA pursues further proceedings against the accused.

The agency has maintained that the investigation is ongoing and additional evidence and legal action may follow as the probe progresses.

More than a year after Indian forces struck terror infrastructure across Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir, the central government has officially released the names of six military personnel who lost their lives during Operation Sindoor. It is the first time the identities of the fallen have been made public.

The six martyrs are Subedar Major Pawan Kumar, Rifleman Sunil Kumar, Lance Naik Dinesh Kumar, Agniveer Mood Murli Naik, Havildar Sunil Kumar Singh, and Sergeant Surendra Kumar. Five belonged to the Army; Sergeant Surendra Kumar was from the Indian Air Force.

Operation Sindoor was launched on May 7, 2025, in direct response to the Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 civilians were killed. The Indian Armed Forces carried out precision strikes on nine terror facilities linked to Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba in Pakistan and PoK — the most significant cross-border military action India had undertaken in years.

The targets hit included the Sawai Nala training centre in Muzaffarabad, where terrorists responsible for the Sonamarg, Gulmarg, and Pahalgam attacks had trained; the Syedna Bilal Camp, also in Muzaffarabad, used for weapons and jungle survival training; and the Gulpur Camp in Kotli, linked to the 2023 Poonch pilgrim attack. Strikes also hit Abbas Camp in Kotli — a fidayeen training facility just 13 kilometres from the Line of Control — Barnala Camp in Bhimber, and Sarjal Camp in Sialkot, where personnel involved in the March 2025 killing of police officers had been trained.

Two high-profile targets were Markaz Taiba in Muridke, where Ajmal Kasab and David Coleman Headley had received training before the 2008 Mumbai attacks, and the Subhan Allah Mosque complex in Bahawalpur, which served as Jaish-e-Mohammed's headquarters and was regularly used by senior leadership for recruitment. The Mehmuna Joya Camp of Hizbul Mujahideen in Sialkot, where the Pathankot attack was planned, was also among the nine sites struck.

Military action was halted on May 10, 2025, following talks between the Directors General of Military Operations of India and Pakistan.

The names of the six personnel will now be inscribed at the National War Memorial near India Gate in New Delhi — the memorial inaugurated in 2019 that records the names of all soldiers who have died in service to the nation since independence. With this, Operation Sindoor formally enters the roll of military operations honoured at the memorial.

For the families of the six, the public acknowledgment closes a long period of quiet grief. The government's decision to release names and ensure memorial recognition signals that the sacrifices made during the operation will be part of the official record of India's military history.

Nearly ten months after the Pahalgam terror attack claimed 26 lives, the National Investigation Agency has uncovered fresh evidence pointing to a well-coordinated cross-border conspiracy. Forensic examination of mobile phones recovered from the attackers shows they had stored precise geographical data of the Baisaran Valley days before the assault.

Chinese phones shipped to Karachi, Lahore

According to NIA sources, two Chinese-made handsets used by the terrorists were traced through supply chain records to delivery addresses in Karachi and Lahore. The devices contained navigation app data marking Baisaran's coordinates, along with screenshots saved on April 15 and 16, 2025.

Investigators believe the attackers conducted reconnaissance roughly a week before the attack, which unfolded on April 22, 2025. The valley, located about 6 km from Pahalgam, saw 26 tourists and one local resident killed. Sixteen others were injured.

 Pakistan-based handler directed operation

The chargesheet filed by NIA on December 15, 2025, names Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist Saifullah alias Saifullah Sajid Jatt alias Langda as the mastermind. A resident of Kasur near Lahore, he allegedly remained in constant touch with the three attackers during the operation.

Investigators said Langda sent them the Baisaran location and provided real-time directions throughout the attack. He reportedly crossed into Kulgam, south Kashmir, in 2005 and now uses a prosthetic leg after being shot. The nickname 'Langda' stuck.

 GoPro camera trail leads to China

The investigation has also traced an action camera recovered from the terrorists. US-based GoPro Inc informed the agency that the device had been shipped to one of its authorised distributors in China. From there, it somehow reached LeT operatives.

NIA officials say terror outfits in Jammu and Kashmir are increasingly using body cameras to record attacks for propaganda purposes. Tracing the camera's route could expose networks supplying funds and equipment.

 Tourist guides arrested for not alerting security

The chargesheet notes the attack might have been prevented. Tourist guides Parvez Ahmad Jothar and Bashir Ahmad Jothar had reportedly seen the terrorists in Baisaran but did not inform security agencies. Both have been arrested.

A day before the attack, the three terrorists allegedly sought help in the name of God and ate food at Parvez's hut. They took bread and vegetables with them. Before opening fire, they ate under a tree in Baisaran Valley, investigators said.

 Operation Sindoor: India's response

In retaliation, India carried out airstrikes in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on the night of May 6-7, 2025. Named Operation Sindoor, the strikes targeted nine terrorist hideouts. Indian authorities reported over 100 terrorists killed, including family members and associates of Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Maulana Masood Azhar.

The three Pakistani terrorists involved in the Pahalgam attack were killed by security forces on July 28, 2025, during Operation Mahadev in the Dachigam forests. Langda, carrying a ₹10 lakh bounty, remains wanted in multiple attacks including the Z-Morh Tunnel firing and the Reasi bus attack.

LeT Co-Founder Amir Hamza Shot in Lahore, Battling for Life

The US-designated global terrorist and Lashkar-e-Taiba founding member was gunned down outside a television channel office in Pakistan's Lahore — the second such attempt on his life in under a year.

Gunmen Strike in Broad Daylight

Amir Hamza, a founding member of Lashkar-e-Taiba, was shot by unidentified gunmen outside a news channel office in Lahore on Thursday. He was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital, where the condition of the 66-year-old is said to be critical. Pakistani authorities have launched an investigation, though no arrests had been made at the time of filing this report.

Second Attack in a Year

This is not the first time Hamza has found himself in a gunman's crosshairs. He was targeted in a similar shooting outside his residence in Lahore in May last year. Pakistani security agencies had reportedly tightened his security following that incident, yet Thursday's brazen daylight attack has once again exposed glaring lapses. The ISI and Lahore Police are yet to identify the attackers or establish any motive.

A Founding Hand Behind LeT

Hamza is one of the 17 individuals who established Lashkar-e-Taiba in 1987, co-founding the outfit alongside Hafiz Saeed and Abdul Rahman Makki. He is a veteran of the Afghan mujahideen and was once the editor of LeT's official publication. Over the years, he served on the organisation's Central Advisory Committee and was instrumental in forging ties with other extremist groups operating across South Asia.

Terror Links Traced to India

Hamza's profile extends well beyond Pakistan's borders. According to security agencies, he has been linked to multiple terrorist strikes on Indian soil, including the attack on the Army brigade headquarters in Sunjwan, Jammu. He also led a charity front organisation connected to LeT and served on the board of a university trust previously headed by Hafiz Saeed — entities widely regarded as vehicles for recruitment, propaganda, and terror financing.

America's Global Terrorist Tag

Washington has long flagged Hamza as a serious threat. The United States formally designated him a global terrorist in 2012, citing his role in LeT's fundraising, propaganda operations, and his deep links to the broader jihadist network across Afghanistan and South Asia. His connections to Hafiz Saeed and other sanctioned individuals have kept him firmly on the radar of international security agencies.

The Jaish-e-Manqafa Split

Around 2018, Lashkar-e-Taiba reportedly fractured following an acute shortage of funds. According to sources, Hamza distanced himself from the parent organisation and subsequently floated a new outfit named Jaish-e-Manqafa. The breakaway group is believed to have retained ideological links to the LeT ecosystem while operating independently — a development that Indian and international intelligence communities have been monitoring closely.

Pattern of Targeted Killings

The incident involving Hamza comes just days after another senior LeT figure, Razaullah Nizamani Khalid alias Abu Saifullah Khalid, was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in Sindh province. Khalid, who once headed LeT's operations from Nepal, was the mastermind of the 2006 RSS headquarters attack in Nagpur and was also linked to the 2005 terror attack on the Indian Institute of Science in Bengaluru. The back-to-back attacks on senior LeT figures have prompted speculation about a targeted campaign against the organisation's ageing leadership, though no group has claimed responsibility for either incident.

Pakistan's security establishment faces mounting pressure to explain how a US-designated global terrorist — wounded once, now shot again — continues to move freely through one of the country's major cities. As Amir Hamza fights for his life in a Lahore hospital, the identity and motive of his attackers remain unknown, leaving a trail of questions that authorities are yet to answer.

J&K Police bust LeT module, 5 held including Pakistani terrorists

J&K Police bust LeT module with cross-border links; two Pakistani operatives and three aides arrested in coordinated crackdown

Major crackdown unfolded

In a major counter-terrorism operation, the Jammu and Kashmir Police has busted a module linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), arresting five individuals, including two Pakistani terrorists. The arrests were made following coordinated raids across multiple states, officials said on Tuesday.

The operation marks a significant breakthrough in ongoing efforts to dismantle terror networks operating in the Kashmir Valley and beyond.

Arrests across states

According to officials, security agencies conducted searches at 19 locations spanning Jammu and Kashmir, Rajasthan, and Haryana. The joint operation involved central intelligence agencies alongside local police units.

Authorities confirmed that incriminating materials were seized during the raids, though details were not disclosed due to the sensitivity of the investigation.

Key accused identified

One of the arrested terrorists has been identified as Abdullah, also known as Abu Huraira, who had reportedly been absconding for 16 years. The second Pakistani national was identified as Usman alias Khubaib.

Officials said both had infiltrated India around 2010 and remained active in various districts of the Kashmir Valley over the years.

Local aides role

Three local aides from Srinagar were also taken into custody. They were identified as Mohammad Nakeeb Bhatt, Adil Rashid Bhatt, and Ghulam Mohammad Mir, alias Mama.

Investigators revealed that these individuals provided logistical support, including shelter, food, and communication assistance, to the foreign terrorists. They were allegedly in direct contact with handlers operating across the border.

Network and operations

Preliminary findings indicate that the module functioned as a support system for terrorist activities, facilitating movement, funding, and safe havens. Officials said the network played a crucial role in sustaining militant operations in the region.

Sources indicated that the two Pakistani operatives had, at one point, commanded a group of nearly 40 militants. Most of these operatives were neutralised in previous counter-insurgency operations by security forces.

Escape and fake IDs

Investigators also uncovered that one of the operatives had managed to leave the country earlier using forged documents and fake identities. This movement was allegedly facilitated by a wider LeT network extending into other Indian states.

Authorities are now probing the extent of this network and identifying additional suspects who may have assisted in the escape and cross-border coordination.

Security impact assessed

Security experts view the bust as a significant development in curbing terror infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir. The dismantling of such modules is expected to disrupt logistical chains that enable militant activities.

Officials stated that intelligence-sharing between state and central agencies has improved in recent years, allowing for more precise and coordinated operations.

What lies ahead

Further interrogation of the arrested individuals is underway, and more arrests are likely as the investigation progresses. Security agencies are also analysing seized materials to uncover financial trails and communication links.

The J&K Police bust LeT module operation is expected to have wider implications for counter-terror efforts, particularly in identifying sleeper cells and cross-border networks.

As part of the latest news today, this India news update underscores continued vigilance by security forces against terrorism. The case remains a key public interest story within the broader national and international news landscape, with further government updates anticipated in the coming days.