Barackface

Thursday, May 01, 2025

Pahalgam Attack Terrorists: Escape Route and Current Whereabouts

India's Options
What India Can Learn from Israel: Strategic Depth, Surgical Strikes, and the Pakistan Dilemma

https://t.co/dhulhj2dg1
— Paramendra Kumar Bhagat (@paramendra) May 1, 2025

Trump’s Trade War
Peace For Taiwan Is Possible
The Last Age of War, The First Age of Peace: Lord Kalki, Prophecies, and the Path to Global Redemption
AOC 2028: : The Future of American Progressivism

After the Pahalgam attack, where did the terrorists go? How did they escape? Who were they?

Escape Route and Current Whereabouts

Following the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, 2025, in Baisaran Valley, Jammu and Kashmir, the terrorists fled the scene by exploiting the dense pine forests surrounding the area. Key details about their escape include:

Immediate Escape: After the attack, the terrorists jumped over a wall on the left side of Baisaran Park and fled into the forested upper reaches of the Pir Panjal range. Their escape was facilitated by the rugged terrain and dense forest cover, which made immediate pursuit challenging.
Trekking Route: Sources indicate the attackers trekked approximately 20–22 hours through difficult terrain from the Kokernag forests to reach Baisaran Valley for the attack, suggesting they used a similar arduous route to escape. This implies familiarity with the geography, likely aided by prior reconnaissance and local support.
Security Forces’ Pursuit: Indian security forces, including the Army, Rashtriya Rifles, and Jammu and Kashmir Police, launched a massive manhunt. The terrorists were tracked “at least four times” in locations such as Hapat Nar village (Anantnag), Kulgam forests, Tral ridge, and Kokernag, with one exchange of fire reported in Kulgam. However, they evaded capture by leveraging dense terrain and warnings from local residents. Indian Army helicopters and joint cordon-and-search operations were deployed to hunt them down, but as of the latest reports, the terrorists remain at large, suspected to be moving around Kokernag.
Current Status: The terrorists are believed to be hiding in the forested upper reaches of Anantnag or Kokernag, with security forces intensifying searches using technical evidence and inputs from local tribal communities. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is actively investigating, videographing the forest area and assumed exit routes.

Method of Escape

The terrorists’ escape was meticulously planned, indicating prior preparation:

Reconnaissance and Timing: The attackers conducted detailed reconnaissance of Baisaran Valley days before the attack (as early as April 15), assessing security response times. They calculated that the nearest Rashtriya Rifles unit would take 40–45 minutes to reach the closest road and an additional 30–35 minutes to trek to Baisaran, giving them a window to escape.
Blocking Entry and Exit: The attack was executed by four terrorists, with two positioned at the entry gate, one at the exit gate, and a possible fourth providing support from the forest. This setup ensured tourists were trapped, allowing the attackers to maximize casualties and flee before security forces arrived.
Use of Technology: The terrorists likely used encrypted mobile applications to communicate with Pakistani handlers, aiding coordination and possibly receiving real-time updates during their escape. They also snatched two mobile phones—one from a local and one from a tourist—potentially to disrupt tracking or gather intelligence.
Local Support: Investigations revealed that 15 local overground workers (OGWs) facilitated the attack, providing logistics, arranging arms, and possibly guiding the terrorists through the terrain. Five prime OGWs were identified, with three detained, and their electronic communications confirmed their role in aiding the escape.

Identity of the Terrorists

The Jammu and Kashmir Police and security agencies have identified four terrorists involved in the attack, three of whom are named with a bounty of Rs 20 lakh each (total Rs 60 lakh) for information leading to their capture or elimination. They are confirmed members of the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), a Pakistan-based militant group, with possible links to The Resistance Front (TRF), an LeT offshoot. The identified terrorists are:

Hashim Musa alias Suleiman (Pakistani):
- A highly trained operative, active in Jammu and Kashmir for at least a year.
- Suspected involvement in multiple prior attacks, including the Z-morh tunnel attack (October 20, 2024, killing seven), the Boot Pathari attack (October 24, 2024, killing five), and attacks in Kulgam (August 2023) and Poonch (May 2024).
- Entered India approximately 18 months ago through the Samba-Kathua region by cutting through border fencing.
- Identified via a photograph recovered from the phone of slain LeT terrorist Junaid Ahmed Bhat, killed in December 2024.
- Known for precision firing and jungle survival skills, possibly linked to other Pakistan-backed groups.
Ali Bhai alias Talha Bhai (Pakistani):
- Another Pakistani national, part of the same infiltration group as Musa.
- Entered India around the same time (18 months ago) via the Samba-Kathua region.
- Believed to have been involved in coordinated attacks with Musa, using codenames like “Moosa,” “Yunus,” or “Asif” to mask identities during the operation.
- Likely used high-tech equipment, including helmet-mounted body cams, similar to tactics seen in Hamas attacks.
Adil Hussain Thoker (Local, Anantnag resident):
- A local Kashmiri from Bijbehara, Anantnag, who served as the mastermind and guide for the Pakistani terrorists.
- Initially joined Hizbul Mujahideen in 2018 after being radicalized, then legally traveled to Pakistan via the Wagah border on a student visa in 2018. There, he received battle-hardened training at an LeT terror camp.
- Returned to Jammu and Kashmir in 2024 with the Pakistani terrorists, acting as their local facilitator.
- His house in Anantnag was demolished by security forces on April 24, 2025, after explosives inside detonated during a search.
Asif Sheikh alias Ahsan (Local, Pulwama resident):
- A local Kashmiri from Tral, Pulwama, identified as the fourth terrorist.
- His house in Awantipora was also demolished on April 24, 2025, during a search when explosives detonated.
- Limited details are available about his prior activities, but he is believed to have aided the Pakistani terrorists with logistics and local knowledge.

Additional Notes

Discrepancies in Names: Some reports mention “Asif Fauji” (Pakistani) or “Ahsan” as separate individuals, but most sources confirm Asif Sheikh as the local fourth terrorist. The codenames “Moosa,” “Yunus,” and “Asif” were used to obscure identities during the attack.
TRF’s Role: The Resistance Front initially claimed responsibility, citing opposition to Indian policies allowing non-Kashmiri settlement, but later retracted the claim, deepening suspicions of Pakistani involvement via LeT.
Masterminds: Intelligence agencies identified Saifullah Kasuri alias Khalid, a top LeT commander, and two Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK)-based operatives as the masterminds behind the attack.
Investigation: The NIA has taken over, focusing on local OGWs, call records of banned groups like Hurriyat Conference and Jamaat-e-Islami, and forensic evidence (e.g., AK-47 and M4 rifle cartridges). A key witness, a local photographer, recorded critical footage from a tree, aiding the investigation.

Summary

The four terrorists—Hashim Musa, Ali Bhai, Adil Hussain Thoker, and Asif Sheikh—executed a planned attack with local support, fleeing into the Pir Panjal range via dense forests after trekking from Kokernag. They remain at large, likely in Anantnag or Kokernag, with security forces closing in using technical and local intelligence. Their identities tie them to Lashkar-e-Taiba, with Thoker and Sheikh providing critical local support after training in Pakistan. The escape leveraged pre-planned routes, encrypted communication, and local OGWs, making their capture a complex challenge.

Critical Note: While the sources provide a detailed picture, some information (e.g., exact current location or full OGW network) remains inconclusive due to ongoing investigations. The narrative of Pakistani involvement is heavily emphasized by Indian authorities, but Pakistan’s denials and TRF’s retraction suggest potential gaps in attributing ultimate responsibility. Always consider the possibility of incomplete or biased reporting in conflict zones.

Beyond Motion: How Robots Will Redefine The Art Of Movement
ChatGPT For Business: A Workbook
Becoming an AI-First Organization
Quantum Computing: Applications And Implications
Challenges In AI Safety
AI-Era Social Network: Reimagined for Truth, Trust & Transformation

1: Pakistan

The Rise of Bilateral Currency Agreements

In recent years, a notable shift has emerged in global trade dynamics: countries are increasingly entering bilateral currency agreements to reduce reliance on the U.S. dollar. This trend is particularly evident among BRICS nations and their partners, who are exploring alternative financial arrangements to enhance economic sovereignty and mitigate exposure to dollar-centric risks. (De-dollarisation & BRICS' quest for financial sovereignty)

🌐 The Rise of Bilateral Currency Agreements

Bilateral currency agreements involve two countries agreeing to settle trade transactions in their local currencies, bypassing the need for a dominant third-party currency like the U.S. dollar. These arrangements aim to facilitate smoother trade, reduce transaction costs, and shield economies from external financial shocks.

Notable Examples:

India–UAE: In July 2023, India and the United Arab Emirates signed an agreement to settle trade in their respective currencies, the rupee and the dirham. This move was exemplified when the Indian Oil Corporation paid for its first crude oil import from the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company in rupees. (UAE Entry into BRICS Increases its Diplomatic and Economic Options)
India–Russia: Amid Western sanctions, India and Russia have expanded their trade in local currencies, particularly for oil transactions. However, Russia has accumulated a surplus of rupees, highlighting challenges in utilizing non-convertible currencies for broader international trade.
China–Argentina: Facing a shortage of U.S. dollars, Argentina has turned to the Chinese yuan for imports, utilizing a bilateral currency swap agreement with China. This arrangement has been extended, allowing Argentina to access additional funds in yuan to stabilize its economy. (Deal extension allows Trump ally Argentina to borrow another $5 billion from China)

🏛️ BRICS Initiatives and Aspirations

The BRICS bloc—comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—has been at the forefront of promoting trade in local currencies. In recent summits, BRICS nations have agreed to strengthen trade and financial settlements in their own currencies and explore the feasibility of an independent cross-border settlement infrastructure. (Emerging economies are pushing to end the dollar's dominance. But what's the alternative?, BRICS nations agree to boost trade, financial settlement in local ...)

While discussions about a unified BRICS currency have surfaced, internal differences and economic disparities among member countries have posed challenges. For instance, Brazil has expressed reservations about advancing a common currency, focusing instead on reducing dollar dependency through bilateral agreements. (Trump's Threat Over an Imaginary Currency Risks Backfiring on the U.S. Dollar, BRICS nations discuss shared response to Trump trade policies)

🇨🇳 China's Strategic Push for the Yuan

China has been proactive in promoting the internationalization of the yuan (renminbi) through various mechanisms: (Internationalization of the renminbi)

Currency Swap Agreements: The People's Bank of China has established bilateral currency swap lines with numerous countries, facilitating trade settlements in yuan. (Internationalization of the Renmibi via bilateral swap lines)
Digital Yuan Initiatives: China is advancing the use of its digital currency in cross-border transactions, aiming to modernize payment systems and reduce reliance on traditional financial networks. (China ramps up global yuan push, seizing on retreating dollar)
Expansion of Financial Infrastructure: Efforts are underway to enhance Shanghai's financial services and strengthen the Cross-Border Interbank Payment System (CIPS), providing alternatives to the SWIFT network. (China ramps up global yuan push, seizing on retreating dollar)

📈 Projected Growth and Implications

The shift towards bilateral currency agreements is expected to grow, driven by geopolitical tensions, the desire for financial autonomy, and technological advancements in digital currencies. While the U.S. dollar remains dominant, the increasing adoption of local currencies in trade could gradually reshape global financial systems.

However, challenges persist, including currency convertibility issues, exchange rate volatility, and the need for robust financial infrastructure. The success of these bilateral arrangements will depend on the participating countries' ability to address these challenges and build mutual trust.

In conclusion, the trend of countries engaging in bilateral currency agreements signifies a transformative phase in international trade, reflecting a collective move towards diversified and resilient economic partnerships.