Jammu and Kashmir CM Defends Locals Amid NIA Arrests Linked to Pahalgam Attack
In a recent development, Jammu and Kashmir's Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has defended local residents following the arrest of two Kashmiris by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). The arrests are linked to a deadly attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives, mostly tourists. Abdullah emphasized that the locals were coerced into assisting the terrorists. The NIA claims the accused provided shelter and support to the attackers, who are associated with the banned group Lashkar-e-Taiba. This situation raises questions about local involvement and the broader implications for security in the region.
Jun 24, 2025, 18:17 IST
Local Residents Defended by Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister
On Tuesday, Jammu and Kashmir's Chief Minister Omar Abdullah came to the defense of local residents after the National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested two Kashmiris on charges of sheltering terrorists responsible for a deadly attack in Pahalgam on April 22. Speaking to reporters, CM Abdullah stated, “There is no local involvement in the Pahalgam attack; the locals arrested by the NIA were coerced into assisting the terrorists.”
Details of the Arrests and the Attack
The NIA has apprehended two Kashmiri individuals in connection with the Pahalgam attack that resulted in the deaths of 26 people, primarily tourists. The accused, Parvez Ahmed Jothar and Bashir Ahmed Jothar, were presented in a local court in Jammu and have been remanded to NIA custody for five days for further questioning.
Allegations Against the Accused
According to the NIA, the two individuals deliberately provided shelter to three armed terrorists in a seasonal hut at Hill Park prior to the attack, offering them food, shelter, and logistical support. The terrorists have been identified as Pakistani nationals linked to the banned terrorist organization Lashkar-e-Taiba (LET). The NIA reported that the accused revealed the identities of the three attackers during their interrogation.