NEW DELHI — A disturbing detail has emerged from the aftermath of the brutal terror attack in Pahalgam, where 26 people were killed in cold blood. A team comprising officials from the Army, Jammu & Kashmir Police, and the local administration, during an initial forensic examination of the victims, found that the trousers of approximately 20 male victims had been either unzipped or pulled down — a grim indication that the terrorists conducted a “faith test” before executing them.
The lower garments of the victims had been forcibly tampered with, exposing their underwear or private areas, as observed by officials during the detailed body inspection. At the time of retrieval, the bodies had been covered with shrouds by local staff, possibly in an effort to preserve dignity or due to the overwhelming shock experienced by the families. The condition of the clothing was not immediately apparent to next of kin or initial responders.
The investigative team noted that this act was part of a brutal process wherein the attackers allegedly sought to determine the religious identity of their victims. According to eyewitness accounts, the assailants reportedly asked the victims to show identification documents such as Aadhaar cards or driving licenses, recite the kalma (an Islamic prayer), and in some cases, remove their lower garments so the terrorists could check for circumcision — a traditional religious marker.
Once their Hindu identity was confirmed through these methods, the victims — all male — were executed at close range. Of the 26 individuals killed in the attack, 25 were identified as Hindus.
The investigation into the massacre has intensified. Sources indicate that approximately 70 individuals, suspected overground workers (OGWs) and known sympathizers of terror outfits from areas including Tral, Pulwama, Anantnag, and Kulgam, are currently being interrogated. “Initially, we detained around 1,500 individuals for questioning. This has been narrowed down to 70 suspects who are strongly believed to have provided logistical support to the attackers,” a senior officer from the J&K administration said. “We are optimistic that we will soon identify and apprehend the perpetrators behind this heinous act.”
