NATIONAL: NIA Arrests Two for Sheltering Pahalgam Attack Terrorists
Breakthrough in Pahalgam Probe
On June 22, 2025, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested Parvaiz Ahmad Jothar and Bashir Ahmad Jothar from Pahalgam for harboring three Pakistani terrorists responsible for the April 22, 2025, attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Baisaran Valley. The arrests mark the first significant development in the case, which claimed 26 civilian lives.
Details of the Accused’s Role
The NIA revealed that the duo knowingly provided food, shelter, and logistical support to the terrorists at a seasonal hut in Hill Park, Pahalgam, prior to the attack. Interrogations confirmed the attackers’ identities and their affiliation with the proscribed Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).
Legal Actions Taken
The accused were booked under Section 19 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, for harboring terrorists. The NIA is continuing its investigation under case RC-02/2025/NIA/JMU to uncover further details of the terror network.
Context of the Attack
The April 22 attack, claimed by The Resistance Front (a LeT proxy), targeted tourists in Pahalgam’s Baisaran meadow, killing 25 tourists and one local. The NIA’s probe has established that the three attackers were Pakistani nationals, distinct from earlier J&K Police sketches.
India’s Response and Aftermath
India retaliated with Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, escalating tensions until a ceasefire was reached on May 10. The arrests bolster India’s case against Pakistan’s terror links at international forums like the FATF.
Ongoing Investigations
The NIA has questioned over 200 locals, including shopkeepers and pony operators, to trace the terrorists’ movements. Digital forensics and witness testimonies have corroborated the accused’s role in aiding the attackers.