GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 22nd June: In a major breakthrough, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Saturday confirmed that the three terrorists involved in the April 22 Pahalgam massacre, which claimed 26 innocent lives, were Pakistani nationals affiliated with the proscribed outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).
The anti-terror agency also announced the arrest of two local men from Jammu and Kashmir — Parvaiz Ahmad Jothar of Batkote, Pahalgam and Bashir Ahmad Jothar of Hill Park, Pahalgam — for allegedly harbouring the foreign terrorists before the attack at Baisaran Valley, also known as ‘Mini Switzerland’.
According to the NIA statement, “The two accused knowingly sheltered the armed terrorists at a seasonal dhok (hut) at Hill Park prior to the assault. They provided food, shelter, and logistical assistance to the attackers who, on the afternoon of April 22, selectively targeted tourists based on religious identity, making it one of the most gruesome terrorist incidents in recent years.”
The arrested individuals have been charged under Section 19 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), which pertains to harbouring terrorists. Further investigation into the broader network is currently underway.
The attack, which drew nationwide outrage, saw 25 tourists and a Kashmiri pony ride operator gunned down in cold blood. Eyewitness accounts revealed that the terrorists asked their victims’ religion before executing them at close range.
In response to the horrific attack, India launched Operation Sindoor, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The government clarified that the strikes were focused solely on terror bases. However, Pakistan retaliated with missile and drone strikes along India’s western frontier, leading to heavy border shelling and casualties.
India then launched precision strikes on key Pakistani military installations, prompting Islamabad to seek a ceasefire. The Indian government has since issued a stern warning, asserting that any future attack on its soil will provoke a “crushing response.”
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