NIA begins probe into Pahalgam attackers’ handlers after recent terror strike. Officials suspect cross-border links and sleeper cells in the region.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has intensified its probe into the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack after arresting two local residents who allegedly provided logistical support to the perpetrators. These developments are a critical turning point in understanding how Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operatives were sheltered and mobilized near the scenic Baisaran Valley, popularly known as “Mini Switzerland.”
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Who Are the Suspected Handlers?
The Accused
The NIA has arrested two local residents—Parvaiz Ahmad Jothar (of Batkote) and Bashir Ahmad Jothar (of Hill Park)—on charges of harboring and aiding the terrorists behind the Pahalgam attack The TribuneNavbharat Times. The duo allegedly provided food, logistical assistance, and shelter for two days in a seasonal hut before the massacre occurred The Times of IndiaNavbharat Times.
Motive or Coercion?
The men received a paltry payment—just a few thousand rupees—in exchange for their help. The NIA is probing whether they assisted willingly or under duress or intimidation The Tribune.
NIA Continues Broader Investigations
DNA & Technical Forensics
The agency has collected blood and hair samples from both suspects—currently lodged at Amphalla Prison in Jammu—to match against evidence like bullet casings and weapons recovered from the attackers Hindustan Times.
Wider Nexus at Play
Earlier findings by the NIA indicate a broader conspiracy. LeT operators worked in coordination with handlers across the border, with assistance from ISI and possibly elements of Pakistan Army—traced through reconnaissance in four local sites and communication via encrypted apps The New Indian ExpressWikipediaThe Economic Times.
An NIA dossier explicitly links The Resistance Front (TRF)—a banned LeT proxy—to the attack and other coordinated terror plots via online recruitment and operational cells The Economic Times.
Tactical Insights from NIA Findings
Choice of Target
Baisaran Valley, with its high tourist density and isolated terrain, was deliberately chosen to delay security response and maximize casualties The Times of IndiaUniindiaThe Economic Times.
Identity of Attackers
Only three terrorists carried out the attack:
- Suleman Shah, alias Faizal Jatt — an A++ cadre and gunman
- Abu Hamza, alias Afghan — A-grade commander
- Yasir, alias Jibran — A-grade commander
Their identities were confirmed via arrested locals and scientific evidence from the crime scene The TribuneThe New Indian Express, and at least one was a former Pakistani SSG commando, according to NIA sources The Economic TimesThe Economic Times.
Operation Mahadev & Indian Counter Measures
Neutralization of Terrorists
The three attackers were killed on July 28 during Operation Mahadev, a coordinated security operation involving the Army, CRPF, and J&K Police in the Dachigam-Harwan forests Deccan ChronicleIndiatimesWikipedia. NIA relied on satellite phone signals and surveillance to track them down Deccan ChronicleWikipedia.
Revenge with Precision
In response to the massacre, Operation Sindoor executed targeted strikes on Pakistani terror infrastructure, sending a message that cross-border aggression would be met with firm retaliation The Times of India.
Institutional Context: NIA’s Mandate
Established in 2009, the NIA is India’s premier federal agency responsible for investigating terror, insurgency, and threats to national security. It took over this case within days, upheld its mandate under the UAPA, and continues to operate under MHA guidance Wikipediawww.ndtv.com.
Legal Framework & Charges
Parvaiz and Bashir Jothar have been booked under Section 19 of the UAPA for providing support to terrorists. Investigators have questioned over 2,800 individuals and detained around 150 suspects as part of the wider probe The New Indian ExpressThe Economic TimesThe Economic Times.
What’s Next?
- Custodial Interrogations – Harrowing details from the arrested locals could reveal handler networks and logistic chains.
- DNA & Forensic Matches – Evidence-based confirmation of their involvement.
- Mapping the Network – Unraveling how attackers migrated, coordinated, and the identities of all involved actors.
- Legal Proceedings – NIA to prosecute through designated special courts.
- Enhanced Security Protocols – Especially for high-tourist zones and intelligence on OGWs.
Broader Implications
- Security in Tourist Areas: Baisaran’s isolation exposed vulnerability in securing tourism hotspots.
- Cross-Border Terrorism: The case underscores the persistent threat from Islamabad-based terror outfits.
- Domestic Collaboration Risks: Even locals can be complicit—highlighting the scope of OGWs in terror logistics.
- Counter-Terror Effectiveness: Operations Sindoor and Mahadev reaffirm India’s rapid response but also reveal the intelligence pressure required.
Conclusion
The NIA’s investigation is gradually detailing how a coordinated terrorist act exploited both geography and local complicity to create tragedy. With arrests, forensic evidence, cross-border links, and decisive security action, India is striving to decode and dismantle the Pahalgam terror conspiracy.
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