In a major breakthrough in the Pahalgam terror attack case, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested two men for harbouring the terrorists who had carried out the horrendous attack that killed 26 innocent tourists and grievously injured 16 others, the NIA said in a statement.
The two men – Parvaiz Ahmad Jothar from Batkote, Pahalgam and Bashir Ahmad Jothar of Hill Park, Pahalgam – have disclosed the identities of the three armed terrorists involved in the attack, and have also confirmed that they were Pakistani nationals affiliated to the proscribed terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).
Parvaiz and Bashir had knowingly harboured the three armed terrorists at a seasonal dhok (hut) at Hill Park before the attack, as per NIA investigations. The two men had provided food, shelter and logistical support to the terrorists, who had, on the fateful afternoon, selectively killed the tourists on the basis of their religious identity, making it one of the most gruesome terrorist attacks ever.
NIA, which has arrested the duo under Section 19 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, is further investigating the case RC-02/2025/NIA/JMU, registered after the attack that shook the world on April 22, 2025.
Further investigations in the case are continuing.
The terrorists had shot dead 26 tourists, all men, in Baisaran meadow in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam on April 22. The gunmen asked the victims to recite kalima (Islamic verse), and shot dead the ones who couldn’t. The terrorists then fled the spot, leaving behind chaos and tragedy.
No local involved in Pahalgam terror attack: CM
Srinagar, Jun 24: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday said that there was no local involvement in the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, and that all the terrorists responsible for killing 26 innocent people were foreigners.
Speaking with reporters in Gulmarg, CM Omar, per news agency said during the on-going probe by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), two individuals have been arrested for sheltering the attackers.
“It is possible that these individuals acted under duress. Although they provided food to the terrorists, it could have been done under coercion. Let the investigation continue, following its conclusion, the chargesheet and other legal proceedings will be presented by the NIA,” CM Omar added.
