Arrests Reveal Pakistani Nationals Behind Pahalgam Attack

The National Investigation Agency’s (NIA) probe into the April 22 Pahalgam attack has taken a dramatic turn. Two local residents have been arrested, and the agency now believes the three attackers were Pakistani nationals affiliated with Lashkar-e-Toiba.

New Revelations Emerge

The NIA’s investigation has led to the arrest of Parvaiz Ahmad Jothar and Bashir Ahmad Jothar, who are accused of harboring the terrorists. During questioning, the suspects allegedly identified the three armed individuals responsible for the attack and confirmed their affiliation with the banned terrorist group. The attackers were also allegedly provided food and shelter by the arrested individuals.

Update on the investigation…

— User Name (@username) Month Day, Year

“The fresh pictures were also shown to several witnesses, and they too confirmed their presence at the crime scene. All three are Pakistani nationals, including the Z-Morh terror accused Suleman Shah,”

— Source

According to recent data, the number of cross-border terrorist incidents has increased in the past year, reflecting the ongoing security challenges in the region (Institute for Security Studies, 2024).

Shifting Identities and Past Cases

Initially, the police released sketches of three suspects, but the NIA now believes those individuals were not involved. The agency is also investigating whether Suleman Shah was involved in other attacks, including the killing of seven construction workers and three Army personnel.

The NIA questioned over 200 people during its investigation. Parvaiz and Bashir are now facing charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.

The investigation continues, with central agencies and the NIA reviewing past cases to build a strong case against the attackers. This aims to bring those responsible to justice and prevent future acts of terror.