New Delhi, June 22: In a major breakthrough in the Pahalgam terror attack case, the National Investigation Agency (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 agency said on Sunday.
NIA said that the two arrested accused, Parvaiz Ahmad Jothar from Batkote in Pahalgam and Bashir Ahmad Jothar of Hill Park in 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).
“Parvaiz and Bashir had knowingly harboured the three armed terrorists at a seasonal dhok (hut) at Hill Park before the attack,” said the NIA, citing its 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.”
NIA, which has arrested the two accused under Section 19 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, is further investigating the case (RC-02/2025/NIA/JMU), registered after the attack that shook the world on April 22, 2025.
26 tourists lost their lives in the Pahalgam attack
26 people were killed and 16 were seriously injured in this attack on April 22. The terrorists had selectively targeted the tourists on the basis of their religious identity. The incident took place in the Baisaran Valley, 6 km from Pahalgam town.
The names of three terrorists came to light during the investigation of the attack
The names of three terrorists were revealed in the investigation conducted after the attack. On April 24, Anantnag police released 3 sketches. The names of the three terrorists were Adil Hussain Thokar of Anantnag, Hashim Musa alias Suleman and Ali alias Talha Bhai. Musa and Ali are Pakistanis. Musa has been a commando in Pakistan’s Special Service Group. A reward of Rs 20 lakh each has also been placed on them.
At present it is not clear whether the two accused arrested by NIA have revealed the names of these three terrorists or of some other terrorists.