Pahalgam Terror Attack: NIA Arrests Two for Harboring LeT Terrorists
Srinagar, June 22, 2025: In a significant breakthrough in the investigation of the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam terror attack, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested two local residents for allegedly providing shelter and logistical support to the perpetrators. The attack, which claimed the lives of 26 tourists and injured 16 others in Baisaran Valley, was one of the deadliest in recent years, targeting victims based on their religious identity.
The arrested individuals, identified as Parvaiz Ahmad Jothar from Batkote, Pahalgam, and Bashir Ahmad Jothar from Hill Park, Pahalgam, have been charged under Section 19 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. According to the NIA, the duo knowingly harbored three Pakistani nationals affiliated with the banned terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) in a seasonal hut (dhok) at Hill Park prior to the attack. The accused provided food, shelter, and other logistical assistance, enabling the terrorists to plan and execute the assault.
During interrogation, Parvaiz and Bashir disclosed the identities of the three LeT terrorists involved, confirming their Pakistani nationality. The NIA’s investigation, registered under case RC-02/2025/NIA/JMU, has revealed that the attackers selectively targeted tourists after verifying their religious identities, marking the incident as a faith-based massacre. The agency is now pursuing leads to locate the three terrorists, with theories suggesting they may have fled to Pakistan after an encounter in Kishtwar on May 22 or are hiding in the Tral area without using electronic communication.
The arrests, made exactly two months after the attack, follow extensive NIA efforts, including questioning over 2,000 individuals, such as pony operators, vendors, and tourism workers, and analyzing videos and photographs from Baisaran. The probe also comes in the wake of India’s Operation Sindoor, launched on May 7, 2025, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, which led to three days of military confrontation between the two nations.
The NIA’s findings have bolstered India’s case against Pakistan at the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), with evidence linking the attackers to LeT and its leader Hafiz Saeed. The FATF recently condemned the attack, noting that such acts require financial networks to operate, further pressuring Pakistan’s position on terror financing.
The agency continues its investigation to uncover the full extent of the conspiracy, with expectations of additional arrests as it cracks down on cross-border terror networks. The arrests have drawn widespread attention, reinforcing the NIA’s resolve to bring justice to the victims of the Pahalgam massacre.
