Pahalgam Terror Attack Probe: NIA Says LeT Terrorists From Pakistan Carried Out Killings, Two Local Residents Held For Harbouring Them

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has said that the three terrorists involved in the 22 April Pahalgam terror attack were Pakistani nationals associated with the banned terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).

The anti-terror probe agency is conducting the investigation in the dastardly terror attack in J&K's Pahalgam, in which 26 people, mostly tourists, were killed by Pakistan-backed terrorists.

Announcing a major breakthrough in its probe into the Pahalgam terror attack, the NIA has said it has arrested two men for harbouring the terrorists who carried out the attack at Pahalgam's Baisaran Valley.

"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)," the NIA said in a statement.

The NIA investigation revealed that Parvaiz and Bashir gave shelter, food, and logistics to the attackers at a seasonal hut in Hill Park.

"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," it added.

NIA has arrested the two accused under Section 19 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, which relates to punishment for harboring a terrorist.

The NIA has said further investigation into the case is on.

In response to the heinous terror attack, India launched Operation Sindoor two weeks later, striking terror bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir.

While India clarified that only terror infrastructure was targeted, Pakistan responded with missile and drone attacks on Indian civilian and military infrastructure.

India's robust air defence neutralised most of these projectiles, although heavy shelling on the border and Line of Control led to loss of lives.

India escalated with strikes on critical Pakistani military sites, including air bases, prompting Islamabad to call for a ceasefire. New Delhi has since warned that any future provocation will meet with a decisive response.

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