By News Desk 
Fresh developments have surfaced in the investigation into the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir. According to NIA sources, Farooq Ahmed, a top commander of the terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba, has been identified as a key figure behind the planning and execution of the assault. Farooq, who is believed to be hiding in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), reportedly built a network of overground workers (OGWs) who assisted Pakistani terrorists involved in the FT operation.
Farooq has been instrumental in orchestrating several attacks in recent years through his extensive OGW network. Investigators claim that the Pahalgam incident was one of the most heinous and strategically planned assaults, aided by local operatives who provided logistical support. He is known to infiltrate the Kashmir Valley through three different sectors along the Pakistan border and possesses in-depth knowledge of the region’s mountainous routes.
Security Forces Demolish Farooq’s Home
Farooq hails from the Kupwara district, and security forces recently demolished his ancestral home as part of their crackdown on terrorism. Records indicate that between 1990 and 2016, Farooq frequently traveled between India and Pakistan, strengthening his terror links over the years. Following the Pahalgam attack, several members of his network have been detained.
For the past two years, Farooq has reportedly been coordinating operations and communicating with his aides through encrypted messaging platforms, keeping his identity and location concealed. Authorities are intensifying their efforts to track down his entire network and dismantle the infrastructure that supported this cowardly act of violence.