Two arrested for sheltering terrorists behind Pahalgam attack that killed 26

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested two residents of Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir for allegedly harbouring the Pakistani terrorists responsible for the April 22 terror attack in Baisaran Valley, which left 26 people dead, including tourists and a local pony operator.

The accused—Parvaiz Ahmad Jothar from Batkote and Bashir Ahmad Jothar from Hill Park—were found to have knowingly provided shelter, food, and logistical support to the three Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operatives who carried out the massacre.

The agency said the arrested men also confirmed that the attackers were Pakistani nationals affiliated with the proscribed terror group.

“The two men - Parvaiz Ahmad Jothar from Batkote, Pahalgam and Bashir Ahmad Jothar of Hill Park, Pahalgam - have disclosed the identities of the three armed terrorists involved in the attack, and have also confirmed that they were Pakistani nationals affiliated to the proscribed terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT),” the NIA said in a statement.

“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,” it added.

The NIA has arrested both individuals under Section 19 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, which pertains to harbouring terrorists. Further investigation is ongoing.

The arrests come after the agency conducted searches across 32 locations in Jammu and Kashmir.

The operations targeted people with alleged links to banned outfits such as The Resistance Front (TRF), United Liberation Front Jammu & Kashmir (ULFJ&K), Mujahideen Gazwat-ul-Hind (MGH), Jammu & Kashmir Freedom Fighters (JKFF), Kashmir Tigers, and the People’s Anti-Fascist Front (PAAF)—all of which are affiliated with proscribed terrorist groups including Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and Al-Badr.

The April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam's Baisaran Valley, also known as 'Mini Switzerland', saw terrorists allegedly ask victims about their religion before shooting them at point-blank range. A total of 25 tourists and one Kashmiri pony ride operator were killed.

In response to the attack, India launched Operation Sindoor, targeting terrorist infrastructure across nine locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

Following the retaliatory strikes, Pakistan launched missile and drone attacks along India’s western border, prompting a strong military response from New Delhi.

Key military installations in Pakistan were reportedly struck, eventually leading Islamabad to seek a ceasefire.