Our Bureau
Srinagar
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has announced a big breakthrough in the Pahalgam terrorist attack. The anti-terrorism agency has arrested two individuals for harbouring terrorists who attacked the valley in April. The agency has also confirmed that the terrorists who carried out the attack were Pakistani nationals and were affiliated with Lashkar-e-Taiba.
The NIA stated that they have arrested two locals from Pahalgam, Parvaiz Ahmad Jothar and Bashir Ahmad Jothar. The accused were charged for harbouring the terrorists and have now disclosed their identities and their nationality.
“The two men – Parvaiz Ahmad Jothar from Batkote, Pahalgam and Bashir Ahmad Jothar of Hill Park, Pahalgam – have disclosed the identities of the three armed terrorists involved in the attack, and have also confirmed that they were Pakistani nationals affiliated to the proscribed terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT),” the NIA said in a statement.
“Parvaiz and Bashir had knowingly harboured the three-armed terrorists at a seasonal dhok (hut) at Hill Park before the attack, as per NIA investigations. The two men had provided food, shelter and logistical support to the terrorists, who had, on the fateful afternoon, selectively killed the tourists on the basis of their religious identity, making it one of the most gruesome terrorist attacks ever,” The NIA added.
Parvaiz and Bashir, both accused of harbouring terrorists, have been charged under Section 19 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. The NIA has stated that they are carrying out further investigation on the matter and will be out with more information.
Three terrorists attacked the Baisaran Valley of Pahalgam, also known as ‘Mini Switzerland’, on April 22. The attacks carried out by the terrorists took the lives away of 26 innocent tourists who were there with their families enjoying the beautiful valley. India retaliated the attacks and carried out Operation Sindoor targeting 9 terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
