Major breakthrough in Pahalgam attack probe? Arrested men disclose identities of terrorists

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested two men for allegedly harbouring the terrorists who carried out the deadly attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam, killing 26 people, mostly tourists.

Those arrested were identified as Parvaiz Ahmad Jothar from Batkote and Bashir Ahmad Jothar of Hill Park in Pahalgam. They have been charged under Section 19 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.

According to the agency, during the interrogation, the two men disclosed the identities of the terrorists and confirmed that the assailants were Pakistani nationals affiliated with the proscribed terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).

Parvaiz and Bashir had knowingly harboured the three armed terrorists at a seasonal dhok (hut) at Hill Park before the attack, the NIA said, adding that the duo had also provided food, shelter and logistical support to the terrorists.

In one of the gruesome attacks in Kashmir in decades, four to five armed terrorists sprayed bullets at the male tourists in the scenic valley after checking their religious identity. Those killed in the strike also included a local horse rider.

The attack sparked off a diplomatic and military escalation between India and Pakistan, with New Delhi taking a slew of punitive measures, including suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty and closing of the Wagah land border.

Indian armed forces launched airstrikes at nine terrorist hubs in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, leading to an intense military confrontation between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.

However, a breakthrough in the ongoing probe into the attack had eluded the NIA and Jammu and Kashmir Police, with all the assailants still at large.