NEW DELHI: A local court in Jammu on Monday granted the National Investigation Agency (NIA) five-day custody of two men arrested for sheltering the Pakistani terrorists responsible for the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives and left 16 others injured, officials said.
The arrested men, Parvaiz Ahmad Jothar of Batkote and Bashir Ahmad Jothar of Hill Park in Pahalgam, were taken into custody by the NIA on Sunday. The arrests mark the first major breakthrough in the probe into what officials described as one of the most gruesome terror strikes in recent years, targeting mostly tourists.
The accused were produced before Additional District and Sessions Judge Ritesh Kumar Dubey in Jammu and were remanded to NIA custody till June 27.
According to the NIA, Parvaiz and Bashir had knowingly harboured three armed terrorists at a seasonal hut (dhok) in Hill Park prior to the attack. Investigators said the duo provided food, shelter, and logistical support to the terrorists.
During interrogation, the two disclosed the identities of the attackers, confirming that they were Pakistani nationals affiliated with the banned terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). The NIA also stated that the attackers selectively targeted the victims based on their religious identity.
The April 22 attack has drawn nationwide outrage and intensified counter-terrorism operations in Jammu and Kashmir. The NIA is continuing its efforts to identify local collaborators and trace the full terror network behind the strike.
The arrested men, Parvaiz Ahmad Jothar of Batkote and Bashir Ahmad Jothar of Hill Park in Pahalgam, were taken into custody by the NIA on Sunday. The arrests mark the first major breakthrough in the probe into what officials described as one of the most gruesome terror strikes in recent years, targeting mostly tourists.
The accused were produced before Additional District and Sessions Judge Ritesh Kumar Dubey in Jammu and were remanded to NIA custody till June 27.
#WATCH | Jammu | Parvaiz Ahmad Jothar and Bashir Ahmad Jothar, arrested in connection with the Pahalgam terror attack, brought to Jammu court
— ANI (@ANI) June 23, 2025
NIA have arrested the two men for harbouring terrorists involved in the Pahalgam terror attack. pic.twitter.com/tWI5BpBjGT
According to the NIA, Parvaiz and Bashir had knowingly harboured three armed terrorists at a seasonal hut (dhok) in Hill Park prior to the attack. Investigators said the duo provided food, shelter, and logistical support to the terrorists.
During interrogation, the two disclosed the identities of the attackers, confirming that they were Pakistani nationals affiliated with the banned terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). The NIA also stated that the attackers selectively targeted the victims based on their religious identity.
The April 22 attack has drawn nationwide outrage and intensified counter-terrorism operations in Jammu and Kashmir. The NIA is continuing its efforts to identify local collaborators and trace the full terror network behind the strike.
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