The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is set to file a chargesheet on Monday in connection with the Pahalgam terror attack, in which 25 tourists and one local resident were killed by Pakistan-based terrorists. The chargesheet will be submitted before the Special NIA Court in Jammu, according to an official spokesperson of the central agency.
The attack, which took place on April 22 at the popular tourist destination of Baisaran in Pahalgam, prompted an extensive investigation by security agencies. Soon after the incident, the Jammu and Kashmir Police released sketches of at least three suspected terrorists and announced a reward of ₹20 lakh each for information leading to their identification or arrest. The case was later taken over by the NIA, which carried out a wide-ranging probe, questioning more than 350 people, including pony operators, shopkeepers, photographers and individuals associated with adventure tourism activities in the area.
A major breakthrough came on June 22 with the arrest of two local residents, Parvaiz Ahmad Jothar of Batkote in Pahalgam and Bashir Ahmad Jothar of Hill Park, Pahalgam. Investigators accused the duo of sheltering the terrorists involved in the attack and providing them with food and logistical assistance. During questioning, the two allegedly revealed the identities of the three gunmen and confirmed that they were Pakistani nationals affiliated with the Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT), the agency had earlier stated.
According to investigators, Parvaiz claimed that the three armed men visited his residence a day before the attack, around 3.30 pm. They allegedly asked for food while carrying weapons. His wife reportedly served them a meal, and the group stayed for nearly four hours. During this time, they are said to have sought information about security arrangements in Baisaran, tourist movement, access routes and timings.
As the investigation progressed, the NIA identified a local resident who later emerged as a key witness. In the chargesheet, the agency has noted that the witness provided crucial information about events that unfolded immediately after the attack. He reportedly told investigators that the gunmen stopped him while they were leaving the Baisaran area after opening fire on civilians. The attackers allegedly asked him to recite the kalma, and upon hearing his local accent, spared his life. Before fleeing, the gunmen reportedly fired four celebratory rounds into the air.
Based on this account, investigators recovered four spent cartridges from the scene. The witness also claimed to have seen Parvaiz and Bashir standing near a hill, allegedly guarding the attackers’ belongings, which were later collected by the gunmen before they escaped.
The investigation further revealed that the three terrorists involved in the attack were neutralised on July 22 during an encounter in the Dachigam forest area on the outskirts of Srinagar. The operation, codenamed “Operation Mahadev”, was jointly conducted by the Army’s 4 Para unit, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and the Jammu and Kashmir Police. The terrorists were identified as Suleiman alias Faisal Jatt, Afghan and Jibran.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah later stated that Suleiman and Afghan were A-grade LeT commanders, while Jibran was also a senior operative. He said the trio was directly responsible for the killings in Baisaran and had also been involved in other terror incidents, including the Gagangeer attack near the Z-Morh tunnel. Shah added that security agencies possessed substantial evidence linking the terrorists to these attacks.
