Security agencies have confirmed that the three terrorists killed in Operation Mahadev, involved in the Pahalgam attack that claimed 26 lives, were Pakistani nationals affiliated with Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). Evidence includes Pakistani government documents, biometric data from NADRA, and personal items like chocolates traceable to Karachi, which underscore the attackers’ foreign origins. The terrorists, who had crossed the Line of Control in 2022, received support from local Kashmiri helpers, revealing a network of cross-border terrorism. The findings are bolstered by forensic investigations linking the seized AK-103 rifles to the attack and corroborative digital footprints indicating communication with handlers in Pakistan. The tensions surrounding the funeral of one of the deceased terrorists in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) highlighted a growing local resistance to radicalization, with villagers opposing the presence of LeT members at the ceremony, signaling a shift in public sentiment against terrorism. This incident not only reinforces Pakistan’s direct involvement in supporting terrorist activities in Kashmir but also indicates a broader impact of India’s military operations on public attitudes in PoK. Furthermore, Indian authorities are preparing to include this evidence in a formal dossier to fortify claims of Pakistan’s sponsorship of terrorism. The situation underscores the complex dynamics of counter-terrorism in the region, with India continuing to adapt its strategies to combat the persistent threat posed by cross-border terrorism.