NIA Intensifies Probe into Pahalgam, Dhangri, and Mendhar Terror Attacks: Interrogates Key LeT Associates in Kot Bhalwal Jail
Jammu, May 3, 2025: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has escalated its investigation into the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives, including 25 tourists and one local, by interrogating two terror associates, Nissar Ahmed alias Haji and Mushtaq Hussain, at Kot Bhalwal jail. The duo, residents of Bhatta Durrian in Mendhar tehsil, Poonch district, are suspected of facilitating the infiltration of Pakistani terrorists linked to the 2023 Dhangri and Bhatta Durrian attacks, with possible connections to the recent Pahalgam massacre.
According to official sources, Nissar and Mushtaq, currently lodged in the high-security Kot Bhalwal jail under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), were questioned extensively on May 2, 2025, about their role in aiding Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) operatives. The NIA suspects that two to three surviving terrorists from the group involved in the January 1, 2023, Dhangri attack (which killed seven civilians) and the April 20, 2023, Bhatta Durrian attack (which martyred five Army soldiers) may have orchestrated the Pahalgam carnage.
Investigations have revealed that Nissar and Mushtaq, under the direction of Abu Qatal, a top LeT commander operating from Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), facilitated the infiltration of Pakistani terrorists across the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch. They provided logistical support, including shelter, food, and safe passage, enabling the terrorists to execute attacks in Rajouri and Poonch. Sources indicate that the duo escorted terrorists from the LoC to hideouts and assisted their movements until their arrest on August 31, 2023, following probes into the Dhangri and Bhatta Durrian attacks.
The NIA’s renewed focus on Nissar and Mushtaq stems from intelligence suggesting a potential link between the LeT network responsible for the 2023 attacks and the Pahalgam incident. The agency is exploring whether the same terrorist operatives, possibly still active in Jammu and Kashmir’s hilly terrains, were involved. During the interrogation, the NIA sought details about the terrorists’ hideouts, communication channels, and local support networks. If further questioning is deemed necessary, the NIA may seek court approval to take the duo into custody for extended remand.
Posts on X reflect ongoing public and media attention to the case, with users reporting that the NIA’s interrogation aims to uncover critical leads about the Pahalgam attack. These posts, while unverified, align with official reports and highlight suspicions of a broader LeT conspiracy.
A significant development in the investigation is the uncertainty surrounding Abu Qatal’s status. Earlier reports claimed that the LeT commander, considered the mastermind behind the Dhangri and other attacks in Rajouri and Poonch, was killed by unknown gunmen in PoJK. However, recent updates cast doubt on this claim, as no official confirmation has emerged, and some sources suggest he may still be active, orchestrating operations from across the border. The NIA is reportedly working to verify his status while intensifying efforts to neutralize the remaining terrorists.
The NIA has also identified over 20 Over Ground Workers (OGWs) linked to the Pahalgam attack and is conducting widespread interrogations. Security forces are combing dense forests around Baisaran Valley, Taranau Haptgund, and Dawroo, suspecting that the terrorists may be hiding in natural caves or forested areas. Additionally, the agency is analyzing mobile tower data and call records within a 20-kilometer radius of Pahalgam to trace the perpetrators.
The Pahalgam attack, one of the deadliest since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, has prompted heightened security measures across Jammu and Kashmir. The UN Security Council condemned the attack, though Pakistan, backed by China, reportedly diluted the statement to avoid direct cooperation with Indian authorities, reflecting ongoing geopolitical tensions.
As the NIA continues its probe, the interrogation of Nissar and Mushtaq could provide pivotal clues to dismantle the LeT network and prevent further attacks. Further developments are awaited as the agency pursues leads to bring the perpetrators to justice.
