In a significant breakthrough in the Pahalgam terror attack case, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested two local men for harbouring Pakistani terrorists involved in the brutal killing of 26 tourists and injuring 16 others on April 22.
The arrested accused have been identified as Parvaiz Ahmad Jothar, a resident of Batkote, and Bashir Ahmad Jothar of Hill Park, both from the Pahalgam area of Jammu and Kashmir.
According to an official NIA statement, both men provided shelter, food, and logistical support to three armed terrorists affiliated with the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT)—a Pakistan-based banned terrorist organization.
“Parvaiz and Bashir had knowingly harboured the three armed terrorists at a seasonal dhok (hut) in Hill Park prior to the attack,” the NIA said.
The investigation revealed that the terrorists selectively targeted tourists based on their religious identity, making the attack one of the most gruesome in recent memory.
The arrested individuals also identified the terrorists as Pakistani nationals, the agency added.
The NIA has charged the two under Section 19 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, as part of its ongoing probe (Case RC-02/2025/NIA/JMU) into the terror incident that sent shockwaves across the country and drew widespread condemnation globally.
Further investigations are underway to trace the full network of conspirators and facilitators behind the deadly attack.
