Who Is LeT Commander Saifullah Kasuri, Suspected Mastermind Behind Pahalgam Terror Attack?

Pahalgam: The deadly terror attack that claimed 28 lives in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam on Tuesday, April 22, is suspected to have been orchestrated by a senior Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operative, Saifullah Kasuri, also known by his alias Khalid, as per reports.

Intelligence officials have identified him as the key planner behind the ambush that targeted unsuspecting tourists at the popular Baisaran meadow. The assault has triggered national mourning and calls for swift action against those responsible.

Security agencies believe Kasuri is a high-ranking LeT commander who operated under the direct patronage of the group’s founder Hafiz Saeed. According to reports, the attack bore the hallmarks of a well-coordinated plan, executed with support from handlers based in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

Who Is Saifullah Kasuri?

Saifullah Kasuri, a Pakistani national, is reportedly a veteran figure within the LeT hierarchy and is said to have risen through the ranks by masterminding multiple cross-border terror operations. Known to Indian intelligence circles by the alias Khalid, Kasuri is considered one of LeT’s most trusted field commanders.

Here's an undated video of Kasuri, where he claims that Kashmir will be the "Land of Pure" by February 2026:

Intelligence agencies claim that he has been instrumental in directing infiltration operations across the Line of Control (LoC), helping station militants in sensitive regions of Jammu and Kashmir. He is believed to operate from deep within PoK and is suspected of overseeing local modules of the The Resistance Front (TRF), a LeT proxy active in the Valley.

His name has surfaced in multiple past dossiers shared with international intelligence bodies, and he is thought to maintain close ties with the group’s ideological and logistical command, particularly with Hafiz Saeed.

A Calculated Attack On Civilians

At around 2:30 PM on Tuesday in Pahalgam, gunmen reportedly dressed in military fatigues opened fire on tourists after allegedly identifying them by faith. Two foreign nationals were among the dead, as chaos unfolded in what was supposed to be a serene vacation spot.

Reports suggest five to six terrorists were involved, including several who had crossed over from PoK in recent weeks. Kasuri, officials believe, coordinated the assault remotely, in collaboration with other Pakistan-based operatives.

Security forces have since launched an extensive search operation in the region.

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