 "Moti Ram Jat had recently been posted in Pahalgam. Six days after his transfer, the terror attack took place. AP/File Photo")
In a breakthrough in the Pahalgam terror attack case, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) said that it arrested two men for harbouring the terrorists who were involved in the devastating attack that killed 26 in South Kashmir. As per the statement released by the NIA, the two accused were identified as Parvaiz Ahmad Jothar from Batkote, Pahalgam, and Bashir Ahmad Jothar from Hill Park, Pahalgam.
The attack that rocked India on April 22 sparked a diplomatic row between India and Pakistan , which was followed by a 4-day military confrontation between the two nuclear-powered nations.
“In a major breakthrough in the Pahalgam terror attack case, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested two men for harbouring the terrorists who had carried out the horrendous attack that killed 26 innocent tourists and grievously injured 16 others,” the NIA said in a statement.
Why it matters
The NIA noted that the arrest of individuals has disclosed the identities of the three armed terrorists involved in the attack. The arrested suspects have also confirmed that they were Pakistani nationals affiliated with the proscribed terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).
“Parvaiz and Bashir had knowingly harboured the three armed terrorists at a seasonal dhok (hut) at Hill Park before the attack, as per NIA investigations. The two men had provided food, shelter and logistical support to the terrorists, who had, on the fateful afternoon, selectively killed the tourists on the basis of their religious identity, making it one of the most gruesome terrorist attacks ever,” the NIA said in a statement.
The arrests were made under Section 19 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. The hunt for the terrorists is still ongoing.
This is a developing story.