NIA Arrests Two Locals in Pahalgam Terror Attack Probe
In a significant development in the investigation into the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested two local residents from Jammu and Kashmir for allegedly providing shelter and logistical support to the attackers. This marks a key breakthrough in the effort to dismantle the terror network behind one of the most brutal attacks on civilians in recent years.
Locals Arrested for Aiding Terrorists
The two men—Parvaiz Ahmad Jothar of Batkote and Bashir Ahmad Jothar of Hill Park—are accused of harbouring the militants responsible for the deadly ambush on Hindu tourists in the Baisaran Meadow area of Pahalgam. According to investigators, the accused provided shelter, food, and safe passage to the gunmen before and after the attack.
During interrogation, the suspects reportedly admitted to assisting Pakistani nationals affiliated with Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and helped identify the three militants involved in the massacre.
Brutal Attack on Civilians
On the evening of April 22, five gunmen opened fire on a group of tourists near Baisaran, killing 26 civilians, mostly from Hindu communities, and injuring over 20 others. The assailants reportedly separated the victims based on religion before opening fire, marking the attack as one of the most targeted and sectarian incidents in Kashmir’s recent history.
A local pony operator was among the dead, and dozens of families from across India were left devastated by the calculated nature of the ambush.
Legal Proceedings and Broader Crackdown
Both accused are being held under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and other sections related to aiding terrorism. The NIA has already conducted over 200 interviews in the region—including local workers, pony operators, shopkeepers, and photographers—in an attempt to reconstruct the attackers’ movement and support network.
Investigators are also examining ballistic and forensic evidence recovered from the crime scene, and are working to trace the weapons’ origins and cross-border supply chains.
Wider Anti-Terror Response
The arrests come as part of a larger response to the attack, including Operation Sindoor, India’s ongoing cross-border crackdown on terror camps believed to be backed by Pakistan. Diplomatic measures, including a freeze on talks and increased surveillance along the Line of Control, have also followed.
Authorities suggest more arrests may follow as the NIA intensifies efforts to uncover the full extent of local facilitation and external coordination involved in the attack.
