The Centre has handed over the Pahalgam terror attack investigation to the NIA. A massive hunt for Lashkar terrorists involved is underway across Kashmir.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Sunday decided to hand over the investigation of the Pahalgam terror attack to the National Investigation Agency (NIA). The attack, which happened at the beautiful Baisaran valley in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22, left at least 26 people dead, most of whom were tourists.
The NIA said in a statement,
“The teams, overseen by an IG, a DIG and an SP from the anti-terror agency, are examining the eyewitnesses who had seen the horrifying attack unfold before their eyes at the peaceful and picturesque Baisaran valley. The eyewitnesses are being questioned in minute detail to piece together the sequence of events that led to one of the worst terror attacks in Kashmir.”
The NIA also mentioned that
“The entry and exit points are being closely scrutinised by the investigating NIA teams for clues to the modus operandi of the terrorists. The teams, aided by forensic and other experts, are checking the entire area thoroughly for evidence to expose the terror conspiracy that led to the horrendous attack that has shocked the nation.”
The NIA teams are working under the supervision of senior officers including an Inspector General (IG), a Deputy Inspector General (DIG), and a Superintendent of Police (SP). They are carefully talking to the survivors and eyewitnesses to collect every small detail about how the terror attack happened.
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They are also checking the surrounding areas very closely, including the routes used for entry and exit, to find any evidence that can reveal how the terrorists planned and executed the attack.
On Saturday, a three-member NIA team had already recorded the statements of several survivors who witnessed the terror attack.
Meanwhile, intelligence agencies have identified 14 local terrorists who are currently active in Jammu and Kashmir. These 14 include eight members of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), three from Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), and three from Hizbul Mujahideen (HM), according to officials.
Although agencies believe there are about 50 to 60 active terrorists in the Kashmir Valley, they have managed to collect complete details like addresses for these 14 terrorists. Most of them joined these Pakistan-backed terror groups after 2021 and are still very young, mostly in their early 20s.
Out of these 14, five are active in Shopian district, four in Pulwama, two in Anantnag, and one each in Sopore, Awantipora, and Kulgam, as shared by officials.
Security forces have further intensified their actions against terrorism. As part of the crackdown, they have demolished the houses of nine terrorists recently.
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Following the deadly Pahalgam terror attack, the Government of India also took strong diplomatic steps. The Centre has suspended the 1960 Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan, downgraded bilateral relations, and shut down the Attari checkpost as part of its action against Islamabad.
On Thursday, the Jammu and Kashmir Police released sketches and revealed the names of three terrorists involved in the Pahalgam attack. According to the police, all three terrorists are affiliated with Lashkar-e-Taiba.
The terrorists were identified as Adil Hussain Thoker, Ali Bhai alias Talha Bhai, and Hashim Musa alias Suleiman.
Among the three, Musa and Talha are suspected to be Pakistani nationals, while Thoker is believed to be a local from Kashmir.
To catch these terrorists, authorities have also announced a reward of ₹20 lakh (₹20,00,000) for anyone who can give information leading to their arrest.
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