New Delhi, June 22 (KNO): 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.
In a statement, issued to news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), 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.
The statement reads that they have also confirmed that they were Pakistani nationals affiliated to the proscribed terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).
“Parvaiz and Bashir had knowingly harboured 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,” it reads.
It added the 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, while further investigations in the case are continuing.
At least 26 innocent civilians were killed after terrorists opened fire at tourists in the Baisaran Valley of Pahalgam on April 22 this. Following the attack, the investigation of the case taken over by the NIA. During the probe, the federal agency made several breakthroughs, however, this is one the major breakthroughs as the agency has been able to establish the identify of the terrorists behind the attack.
To avenge the gruesome attack, India launched Operation Sindoor to destroy terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir, while security agencies also cracked down on terrorist sympathisers to destroy terror infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir—(KNO)