NIA arrests two for sheltering Lashkar terrorists behind Pahalgam attack of 26 civilians

In a crucial development, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested two individuals accused of aiding the terrorists involved in the brutal Pahalgam massacre that occurred two months ago in Jammu and Kashmir. The April 22 attack claimed the lives of 26 people, including 25 tourists and one local resident, and left 16 others seriously injured.

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The arrested individuals have been identified as Parvaiz Ahmad Jothar from Batkote and Bashir Ahmad Jothar from Hill Park, both residents of the Pahalgam area. The NIA revealed that these two provided direct support to the terrorists by offering them shelter, food, and logistical assistance before the attack. The shelter was reportedly a seasonal hut in the Hill Park region, where the attackers were hidden prior to executing the strike.

According to the NIA's findings, the arrested men have also disclosed the identities of three terrorists involved in the massacre. These attackers have been confirmed as Pakistani nationals affiliated with the banned terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).

The incident involved four heavily armed terrorists who stormed the scenic Baisaran Valley in Pahalgam and opened fire on tourists after allegedly questioning them about their religious affiliation. The targeted killings of Hindu tourists led to a surge in tensions between India and Pakistan, prompting retaliatory airstrikes by India on terror launchpads located in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

Parvaiz and Bashir have been booked under Section 19 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, for harboring terrorists and assisting in planning the deadly assault.