Seven Charged in Pahalgam Terror Attack Case Involving Pakistani Terrorists
Charges Filed in Pahalgam Terror Incident
On Monday, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) announced that it has charged seven individuals in connection with the terror attack that occurred in Pahalgam.
Among those charged is Sajid Jatt, a handler from Pakistan associated with the terrorist organization Lashkar-e-Taiba and its affiliate, The Resistance Front. Both groups have been collectively charged for their involvement in orchestrating and executing the attack.
The incident, which took place on April 22 at Baisaran near Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir, resulted in the deaths of 26 individuals and left 16 others injured. Reports indicate that the attackers specifically targeted tourists, inquiring about their names to determine their religious affiliations. Notably, all but three of the deceased were identified as Hindu.
The chargesheet also identifies three Pakistani terrorists who were killed during a security operation named Mahadev on July 28. They have been named as Faisal Jatt alias Suleman Shah, Habeeb Tahir alias Jibran, and Hamza Afghani.
Charges against the terror group and the four individuals include violations of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the 1959 Arms Act, and the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act. Additionally, a charge related to waging war against the nation has been invoked against the accused.
In a statement released on Monday, the NIA confirmed that the conspiracy behind the attack has been traced back to Pakistan.
In June, the agency apprehended two individuals, Parvaiz Ahmad Jothar and Bashir Ahmad Jothar, for allegedly sheltering the terrorists responsible for the attack. They have also been included in the chargesheet.
According to the NIA, during their interrogation, the two men revealed the identities of the three armed terrorists involved in the attack and confirmed their Pakistani nationality and links to the banned LeT terror group.
The investigation is ongoing, as stated by the NIA.
Additionally, on September 24, Jammu and Kashmir Police arrested 26-year-old Muhammad Yousuf Katari in Kulgam district for allegedly providing logistical support to the terrorists involved in the Pahalgam attack.