NIA leads probe into Pahalgam terror attack, focuses on eyewitnesses, evidence and terrorist movements

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has officially assumed control of the investigation into the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, that left 26 tourists dead on April 22. The attack, attributed to Pakistan-based terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), was executed through its proxy, The Resistance Front (TRF). The incident occurred at the Baisaran meadow, a popular tourist spot around 5 km from Pahalgam town in Anantnag district. The attackers targeted a group of tourists, most of whom were visiting from other states, opening fire indiscriminately, resulting in mass casualties.

Since the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) handed over the case to the NIA, the agency's teams have been stationed at the site of the attack, conducting thorough searches for evidence. The NIA has intensified its investigation by scrutinizing the entry and exit points around the Baisaran meadow, where the attack took place. NIA teams are also focusing on reconstructing the sequence of events and gathering information from eyewitnesses who witnessed the assault firsthand. The investigation aims to uncover the methods and movements of the terrorists involved in the attack.

As part of the investigation, NIA officials, including an Inspector General (IG), Deputy Inspector General (DIG), and Superintendent of Police (SP), have been examining witness statements to piece together the details of the attack. The teams are also working with forensic experts to analyze physical evidence and establish links between the attackers and their logistical support, which is believed to have come from across the border. The attackers are reported to have used automatic weapons, including AK rifles, and sophisticated communication devices. The terrorists were also reportedly dressed in military-style fatigues.

Intelligence agencies have traced the digital footprint of the attack to safehouses in Pakistan, specifically in Muzaffarabad and Karachi. This suggests a direct involvement of Pakistani-based operatives in planning and executing the attack. Furthermore, the NIA has been investigating the role of local overground workers (OGWs) who are believed to have assisted the terrorists in navigating their way through the region. The infiltration of these terrorists into India appears to have been facilitated by Pakistani agencies, with inputs indicating that skilled operatives were brought across the Line of Control (LoC) and the Intelligence Border (IB) since January.

The NIA has been recording the statements of survivors and interrogating overground workers and arrested terrorists associated with various militant groups, including LeT and Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM). The Jammu and Kashmir police have released sketches of three suspects, including two Pakistanis—Ali Bhai alias Talha Bhai and Hashim Musa alias Suleiman—along with local operative Adil Hussain Thoker. The police have announced a reward of ₹20 lakh for information leading to their capture. Security forces, including the Army, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and local police, continue to search for the attackers while the NIA works to expose the full conspiracy behind this attack.