In Pahalgam terror attack, one Adil drew blood, another shed it saving others

NEW DELHI: In the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people, two men sharing the name ' Adil Hussain ' have emerged at the centre of contrasting narratives.

One, Adil Hussain Thokar, is a wanted Lashkar-e-Taiba operative accused of helping execute the brutal assault.

The other, Syed Adil Hussain Shah , a humble pony handler from a nearby village, is being hailed as a hero who may have died trying to stop the attackers.

As security forces hunt for the masterminds, Shah’s family and community are mourning a young man remembered for his quiet bravery.

LeT’s Adil Hussain Thokar: From Pakistan training to orchestrating terror in Pahalgam

Adil Hussain Thokar, a Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operative believed to be involved in the Pahalgam terror attack, had allegedly travelled to Pakistan legally in 2018 via the Attari-Wagah border, where officials say he received arms training before slipping back into Jammu and Kashmir last year.

According to intelligence sources, Thokar played a key logistical role in the April 22 attack, acting as a guide and providing local support to the Pakistani terrorists who ambushed tourists in the Baisaran meadow near Pahalgam.

Security forces, while conducting search operations for Thokar and another LeT member Asif Sheikh, reported that explosives planted inside the homes they raided detonated, destroying the structures. No immediate casualties from the blast were confirmed.

Authorities have announced a reward of Rs 20 lakh each for information leading to the arrest of three LeT militants: Adil Hussain Thokar, Ali Bhai, and Hashim Musa. All three are suspected of orchestrating the attack, which left 26 civilians dead.

Eyewitnesses described chaos as heavily armed gunmen emerged from surrounding forests and opened fire on unsuspecting visitors.

Local pony handler Adil Hussain Shah remembered as braveheart

While one Adil is on the run, another, Syed Adil Hussain Shah, was laid to rest on Wednesday in the village of Hapat Nar, roughly 20 km from the site of the attack. A daily-wage pony handler in his 30s, Shah was the only local civilian killed in the shooting and is being remembered as a possible hero who may have tried to shield tourists from the gunfire.

Survivors recounted how Shah attempted to wrestle a rifle from one of the terrorists during the carnage at Baisaran. Though he didn’t survive, many believe his actions may have prevented more deaths. Former chief minister Omar Abdullah attended the funeral and called on the government to support Shah’s family.

“He tried to stop the attack. We’ve heard he was targeted after he tried to snatch a terrorist’s rifle. I’ve come here to assure the family that the government will stand by them and help in every way possible,” Abdullah said.

Shah is survived by his father Syed Haider Hussain Shah, mother Bibi Jaan, and sisters. His family said he had been working tirelessly to save money for his sisters' weddings. “We didn’t know anything until the evening. My younger son Nowshad said Adil wasn’t answering his phone. Later, we were told he was among the dead,” Haider recalled, still in disbelief.

While locals honour Shah’s bravery, some security officials have urged caution. “We’ve heard the accounts, but the exact sequence of events is still being verified,” said a senior security officer familiar with the ongoing investigation.