A special NIA court in Jammu granted investigators 45 extra days to keep two accused in custody over the Pahalgam terror attack. The extension was allowed as DNA profiling, forensic tests and mobile data linked to Pakistani numbers are still awaited.
NEW DELHI: A special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court in Jammu has given investigators extra time to keep two men in custody in connection with the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. The court extended their detention by 45 days, which is more than the usual 90-day limit allowed under law.
On September 18, Special Judge Sandeep Gandotra passed the order allowing the NIA to continue its investigation against the two accused – Bashir Ahmad Jothat, a resident of Baisaran in Pahalgam, and Parvaiz Ahmad, from Batkote.
Both men were arrested in June this year for allegedly providing shelter to Pakistani militants who carried out the brutal terror strike.
Investigators have claimed that the accused allowed the militants to stay in a seasonal hut, known locally as a “dhok”, located in Hill Park, Pahalgam, before the deadly attack took place.
Judge Gandotra said that there was sufficient evidence to allow more time for the investigation, as several key reports are still awaited, including forensic examination and DNA profiling.
The order stated:
“Accordingly, the extension for a period of 45 days is given to the investigating officer for the investigation of the case beyond the period of 90 days in favour of accused Bashir Ahmad Jothat and Parvaiz Ahmad with direction to complete the investigation of the case as soon as possible.”
The original 90-day custody, along with an additional 10 days of judicial custody, was due to expire on Friday. The accused were produced virtually before the special NIA court, which then allowed the agency’s request for an extension.
The judge observed that the plea filed by the NIA seeking more time was “well-founded” and “deserved acceptance” since the matter was still at a very crucial stage. He also highlighted that important materials like witness statements, DNA reports and forensic test results are still pending.
The order further recorded:
“The report of DNA profiling of accused persons for comparison is also awaited. A prima facie case is made out for extension of remand and detention of accused beyond the stipulated period of 90 days.”
Public Prosecutor Chandan Kumar Singh, representing the NIA, argued in court that the custody needed to be extended from 90 to 180 days under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) because important pieces of evidence were still under examination.
Singh submitted that the agency is awaiting reports on mobile phone data, forensic testing of seized items, and links to Pakistan-based handlers.
He told the court:
“Some Pakistani numbers have been recovered from the mobile phones of the accused and their details have to be ascertained. Three terrorists have been killed and some recoveries have been made from them, which have been sent to NFSU Gandhinagar, the report of which is still awaited. Some arms and ammunition have also been recovered from the killed terrorists in the encounter on July 28, and the details of the FSL report are still awaited.”
Singh further explained that key items like blankets, shawls and bedsheets recovered with the assistance of the accused were sent for forensic testing. These items are believed to have been used by the Pakistani attackers.
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He added:
“The report of the same is still awaited.”
The NIA has officially re-registered the case, which involves the horrific killing of 26 tourists and injuries to 16 others at Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam on April 22, 2025.
According to the agency’s findings so far, the accused admitted that the attackers were Pakistani nationals linked to the terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba.
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