In the aftermath of the chilling Pahalgam terror attack that claimed the lives of 25 tourists and a local pony ride operator, Indian security agencies have launched an intensified search operation in south Kashmir to track down Hashim Moosa, a suspected key perpetrator of the attack.

Moosa, believed to be hiding in the dense forests of south Kashmir, is said to have previously served as a para-commando in Pakistan’s elite Special Service Group before joining the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). Intelligence agencies have confirmed that Moosa infiltrated into India in 2023 and has since been linked to several deadly assaults in the Valley.

Hashim Moosa: A high-profile fugitive with a violent trail

Officials revealed that Moosa was involved in at least six terror strikes across Jammu and Kashmir. Notably, he played a role in the October 2024 Ganderbal attack, which left seven civilians dead, and an earlier assault in Baramulla that killed four security personnel.

The Pahalgam carnage, which saw unarmed tourists and a Kashmiri pony handler shot dead in cold blood, has been attributed to three main figures: Lashkar-e-Taiba chief Hafeez Saeed and his deputy Saifullah Kasuri—both currently in Pakistan—and Hashim Moosa, who remains at large in Indian territory.

Alongside Moosa, two other operatives—Adil Thoker and Asif Sheikh—have also been named in connection with the Pahalgam tragedy. Authorities have announced a reward of ₹20 lakh for credible information on each of the three, assuring full confidentiality to informants.

Diplomatic fallout deepens between India and Pakistan

The barbaric attack has significantly escalated tensions between India and Pakistan. In response, New Delhi has suspended the Indus Waters Treaty and halted all visa services for Pakistani nationals. Pakistan has countered by warning it may withdraw from all existing bilateral agreements, including the historic Simla Agreement that defines the Line of Control.

Security agencies are prioritizing the capture of Hashim Moosa alive to establish conclusive evidence of Pakistan’s direct involvement in the attack. The high-stakes operation continues in the rugged terrain of south Kashmir, with forces combing forests and intercepting potential escape routes to Pakistan.

Amid escalating tension with Pakistan over a brutal terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam that claimed the lives of 26 tourists, two of the Indian government’s most influential cabinet panels convened on Monday to chart a decisive response.

The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, met for the second time following the Pahalgam attack. This was followed by deliberations of the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs (CCPA), as pressure builds from the Opposition for a special session of Parliament to address the situation.

Key decisions and reactions

While formal details from today’s CCS meeting are yet to emerge, sources indicated that during its earlier session, the CCS had taken strong steps against Pakistan, including the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, a key bilateral agreement.

The CCS had earlier issued a stern condemnation of the attack, extending heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. The intelligence briefing to the committee outlined clear cross-border connections to the attackers, who reportedly aimed to sabotage the peace, electoral process, and developmental progress in the region.

The local population’s response to the attack has also been striking. Protesters in the region decried the violence, seeing it as an assault on the Valley’s fragile economic recovery driven by tourism. Their anger, however, has not deterred all travellers.

Tourists remain defiant

Many tourists who had planned their trips before the attack have chosen not to cancel. While expressing disappointment over the closure of certain sites, several visitors reported feeling secure.

One such tourist, Keval Patel from Ahmedabad, shared his experience, saying, “We were initially hesitant after hearing about the attack. But our family decided to go ahead, and now that we’re here in Pahalgam, it feels safe.”

Political pressure mounts

Following the CCS meet, the CCPA turned its attention to calls from Opposition leaders such as Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, who have written to Prime Minister Modi urging the government to convene a special parliamentary session. Their stated aim: to present a united political front against terrorism.

PM Modi’s message

According to sources, Prime Minister Modi reiterated India’s determination to strike firmly against terrorism, and voiced complete confidence in the Indian armed forces to uphold national security.

The Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) of Delhi Police has initiated a fresh investigation against former AAP ministers Manish Sisodia and Satyendar Jain in connection with an alleged Rs2,000 crore classroom construction scam during the previous Aam Aadmi Party-led administration. The case, filed under corruption charges, also extends its probe into the involvement of unidentified government officials and contractors.

ACB chief Madhur Verma confirmed that the agency is examining the extent of financial irregularities that occurred during the construction of over 12,000 classrooms and related infrastructure. The contracts for these projects, handled by the Public Works Department (PWD), were reportedly assigned to 34 contractors, many of whom allegedly had links with the AAP.

Inflated costs, missing procedures flagged

The classrooms were constructed using the Semi-Permanent Structure (SPS) model, expected to last 30 years. However, the cost of these structures reportedly matched those of permanent pucca buildings designed for a 75-year lifespan. The ACB alleges that the escalation in costs was partly due to delays and the hiring of consultants and architects without adhering to due process.

Furthermore, the construction was not completed within the stipulated deadlines, which added to the budget overruns. ACB’s findings indicate that the per square foot cost of these SPS classrooms reached Rs2,292—closely aligning with the cost range of concrete buildings, Rs2,044 to Rs2,416 per sq ft.

Suppressed vigilance report resurfaces

The ACB’s case builds on a report initially prepared by the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC), which identified various anomalies in the classroom construction process. Allegedly, this report was not acted upon for nearly three years. According to the report, project costs were inflated by Rs326 crore without initiating fresh tenders, raising further suspicion of procedural violations.

The investigation stems from complaints lodged by BJP leaders, who alleged that construction costs were increased disproportionately. The Education and PWD portfolios during the relevant period were held by Manish Sisodia and Satyendar Jain, respectively.

The probe now seeks to uncover the full extent of accountability among officials and contractors involved in the project, suggesting that the matter could widen beyond the two named leaders.