NIA arrests two in Pahalgam terror attack

This is the first arrest by NIA after two months of the heinous Pahalgam terror attack.

On April 22, a heinous terror attack in Pahalgam, J&K, killed 26 tourists, mostly Hindus. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) made the first arrest in the case two months after the incident. The anti-terror probe has arrested two in the case for providing shelter and food to attackers.

NIA arrests two for allegedly harbouring three Pakistani terrorists.

National Investigation Agency (NIA) has made arrests of two individuals for allegedly harbouring three Pakistani terrorists involved in the Pahalgam terror attack that happened on April 22. The anti-terror probe arrested the two for providing the attackers with food and logistical support, said NIA officials on Sunday.

More on the two men arrested by NIA.

The two men arrested were identified as Parvaiz Ahmad Jothar from Pahalgam’s Batkote and Bashir Ahmad Jothar of Pahalgam’s Hill Park. The agency, in a statement issued, said, “In a major breakthrough in the Pahalgam terror attack case, the NIA has arrested two men for harbouring the terrorists who had carried out the horrendous attack that killed 26 innocent tourists and grievously injured 16 others.” The two arrested men have reportedly disclosed the identities of the three attackers and said the three Pakistani nationals are affiliated with the proscribed terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), the agency said.

NIA identifies the suspected attackers.

On Sunday, the NIA said that the authorities have identified the suspected attackers as Hashim Musa, aka Suleiman and Ali Bhai, aka Talha Bhai, both Pakistani nationals and local operative Adil Hussain Thokker. The government has also offered rewards of ₹20 lakh for each suspect as the manhunt is underway.

NIA probe has revealed that Parvaiz and Bashir had knowingly harboured the three armed terrorists at a seasonal dhok (hut) at Hill Park before the attack. The agency said, “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.” They have been arrested under Section 19 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act 1967.