Two arrested for aiding Pahalgam terrorists

Srinagar

In a significant development in the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack case, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested two individuals accused of sheltering the militants responsible for the deadly assault. The arrested men have been identified as Parvaiz Ahmad Jothar of Batkote and Bashir Ahmad Jothar of Hill Park, both from Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir’s Anantnag district.

According to the NIA, the duo knowingly harboured three heavily armed terrorists affiliated with the banned Pakistani terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). The accused reportedly provided food, shelter, and logistical support at a seasonal dhok (hut) in Hill Park prior to the attack.

The April 22 attack claimed the lives of 26 civilians, mostly tourists, and left 16 others seriously injured. Investigators revealed that the attackers selectively targeted victims based on their religious identity, making the incident one of the most brutal acts of terrorism in the region in recent years.

During interrogation, Parvaiz and Bashir disclosed the identities of the terrorists and confirmed their foreign origins and LeT affiliation. The NIA has booked both men under Section 19 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for harbouring terrorists.

Security agencies are continuing further investigation to trace the broader network behind the assault. Meanwhile, public outrage remains high across the region as authorities intensify their crackdown on local support networks aiding cross-border terrorism. The arrests mark a critical breakthrough in the high-profile case, which has been a priority under Operation Sindoor—a special initiative to combat terrorism in Kashmir.