NIA arrests two local men in Pahalgam terror attack case: Major breakthrough in probe

NIA makes 1st arrests in Pahalgam attack case—duo who fed, harboured Lashkar terrorists

In a significant development in the investigation of the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam terror attack, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested two residents of Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, for allegedly harboring three Pakistani nationals affiliated with the proscribed terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). The attack, one of the deadliest in recent years, claimed the lives of 26 tourists and left 16 others grievously injured, sending shockwaves across India and prompting international condemnation.

The NIA identified the arrested individuals as Parvaiz Ahmad Jothar, a resident of Batkote, Pahalgam, and Bashir Ahmad Jothar, from Hill Park, Pahalgam.

According to an official statement released by the NIA, the duo knowingly provided food, shelter, and logistical support to the three LeT terrorists in a seasonal dhok (hut) at Hill Park before the attack.

During interrogation, Parvaiz and Bashir disclosed the identities of the three armed assailants, confirming their Pakistani nationality and affiliation with LeT, a Pakistan-based terrorist organization banned under Indian law.

The arrests were made under Section 19 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, as part of the NIA’s ongoing probe into case RC-02/2025/NIA/JMU, registered following the April 22 assault.

The agency described the arrests as a “major breakthrough” in unraveling the conspiracy behind the meticulously planned attack, which targeted tourists in Baisaran Valley based on their religious identity, marking it as one of the most gruesome terror strikes in recent memory.

The Pahalgam terror attack occurred on April 22, 2025, when three armed terrorists opened fire on a group of tourists in the picturesque Baisaran Valley, a popular meadow known as the “Mini Switzerland” of Kashmir.

The attackers selectively targeted victims based on their religious identity, killing 26 people, including one local, and injuring 16 others. The brutal attack sparked widespread outrage and intensified tensions in the region.

The NIA’s investigation revealed that the terrorists, operating under LeT’s directives, aimed to provoke communal unrest and destabilize the fragile peace in Jammu and Kashmir.

The NIA’s arrests come two weeks after the agency conducted extensive raids across 32 locations in Kashmir, including Shopian, Kulgam, Pulwama, Sopore, and Kupwara districts. These operations targeted suspected terror networks and facilitators linked to the Pahalgam attack.

The agency has also questioned over 2,000 individuals, including local ponywallas and eyewitnesses, to piece together the sequence of events leading up to the assault.

Prior to these arrests, the NIA and security forces identified three suspected attackers: Hashim Musa (alias Suleiman), Ali Bhai (alias Talha Bhai), both Pakistani nationals, and a local operative, Adil Hussain Thokker. The government has announced rewards of Rs.20 lakh for information leading to their capture.

While initial reports suggested four to five terrorists may have been involved, the NIA has so far confirmed the identities of these three, with the manhunt still ongoing. Authorities are exploring two possibilities: that the attackers remain in hiding in Jammu and Kashmir or have fled to Pakistan.

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