NIA Unveils Extensive Charge Sheet in Pahalgam Attack, Linking Pakistan
NIA Files Detailed Charge Sheet
New Delhi, Dec 17: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has submitted a detailed charge sheet comprising 1,597 pages concerning the Pahalgam attack. This filing comes eight months post-incident, reflecting a thorough investigation conducted by the NIA.
The charge sheet not only identifies the terrorists involved but also outlines their handlers and masterminds. A significant highlight of this document is the established connection to Pakistan, which the agency has documented. This charge sheet is poised to be a pivotal piece of evidence for India in addressing Pakistan's actions on an international platform.
Pakistan's Denial and India's Response
An official noted that Pakistan has consistently refuted its involvement in the attack, labeling India's claims as unfounded. Following the Pahalgam incident, Pakistan expressed outrage over India's Operation Sindoor, which aimed to retaliate against the attack. The NIA's meticulous preparation of the charge sheet emphasizes the goal of not just bringing the case to trial but also securing a swift conviction, thereby reinforcing India's stance against Pakistan's direct involvement.
Motives Behind the Attack
Pakistan's motives for orchestrating the attack appear clear. The establishment sought to divert attention from domestic issues while simultaneously aiming to disrupt the flourishing tourism sector in Jammu and Kashmir. Although the attack temporarily affected the industry, it has since rebounded.
According to an Intelligence Bureau official, Pakistan initially attempted to attribute the attack to local individuals from Jammu and Kashmir, aiming to incite public anger against the Kashmiris and create a divide between J&K and the rest of India. This tactic, however, was only briefly effective.
Evidence Linking Pakistan to the Attack
NIA officials have pointed out critical elements in the charge sheet that implicate Pakistan. Two Android phones were recovered from the site of Operation Mahadev, where three Pakistani terrorists were neutralized by security forces in Dachigam. The NIA uncovered vital evidence confirming the terrorists' Pakistani origins.
Moreover, it was discovered that the phones were purchased in Pakistan, and forensic analysis linked them to the attackers. Following the encounter, M4 assault rifles, commonly used by Pakistani terrorists, were recovered, along with chocolates and other items that further indicated a connection to Pakistan.
Identifying the Terrorists and Mastermind
The investigation identified the terrorists involved in the attack as Faisal Watt, Habeeb Tahir, and Hamza Afghani, all of whom are Pakistani nationals. While electronic evidence ties the attack to Pakistan, the NIA also established a crucial link to the mastermind, Sajjad Jutt. Jutt, who oversees operations for the Lashkar-e-Taiba proxy known as The Resistance Front, is a recognized figure in intelligence circles and has been involved in numerous operations in Jammu and Kashmir.
Indian agencies have tracked Jutt since his activities in Jammu and Kashmir in 2000, until his return to Pakistan in 2005. He has played a significant role in orchestrating various attacks, including the 2024 Reasi bus attack that resulted in nine pilgrim fatalities, the 2013 assault on Indian Army personnel in Srinagar, and the 2002 murder of a station house officer in Budgam.
Additionally, Jutt was behind the 2023 Bhata Dhurian attack in Poonch, which claimed the lives of five Indian soldiers. Officials assert that the charge sheet alone is sufficient to expose Pakistan's deceit.
Pakistan's Victim Narrative
In the aftermath of Operation Sindoor, Pakistan has adopted a victim narrative, claiming it is being unjustly accused. The charge sheet not only highlights India's actions against Pakistan following the Pahalgam attack but also aims to unveil Islamabad's true nature on the global stage, where it has attempted to portray India as the aggressor.