The security agencies have reported that the three terrorists killed in the Dachigam forest encounter on July 28 were Pakistan nationals, with regard to the overwhelming evidence collected during the investigation. Confirmation is provided by the use of biometric data, digital evidence, and government-issued documents by the Government of Pakistan, the reports by the news agencies claim.
The terrorists who were killed in the course of the operation were top-ranking LeT operatives, and the operation was codenamed by the security forces as Operation Mahadev. They had been hiding in the Dachigam-Harwan forest strip ever since the April 22 terror attack at Pahalgam at the Baisaran meadow, which claimed the lives of 26 people. The operation was months in the making as the movement of the militants in the sensitive forested area was under constant surveillance based on inputs of the relevant intelligence agencies, officials said.
The data gathered consists of biometric information, which is cross-checked with that of the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) of Pakistan, satellite phone data, GPS tracing, and laminated voter slips. Interestingly, the authorities have emphasized that this is the first time that Pakistani state documents have confirmed the nationality of those who attacked Pahalgam and that it is not a local militant operation or issue.
- The terrorist killers were identified as three.
- Suleman Shah alias Faizal Jatt – an A-category terrorist, lead shooter and mastermind of the Pahalgam attack.
- Abu Hamza, known by his aliases as Afghan, a 2nd gunman, and an A-grade commander.
- Yasir alias Jibran- an A-grade leader, third shooter.
Taken in their possession were laminated voter slips of the Election Commission of Pakistan against voters’ lists in the Punjab cities of Lahore (NA-125) and Gujranwala (NA-79), which lends credence to the biometric confirmation. Authorities made it clear once again that no locals have been associated with the Pahalgam attack, which is why it is a cross-border operation.
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