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Pahalgam Terror Attack: NIA Files Charge Sheet Amid 180-Day Deadline

The National Investigation Agency is filing its charge sheet in the devastating Pahalgam terror attack case today. This comes just before the 180-day legal deadline under the UAPA law expires. The document will name the Lashkar-e-Taiba terror group and detail the roles of two arrested locals who provided support. The attack, which killed 25 tourists and a local, prompted a strong military response from India.

Key Points: NIA Files Pahalgam Terror Attack Charge Sheet in Jammu Court

  • NIA files charge sheet before 180-day UAPA deadline expires on December 18
  • Two locals arrested for aiding Pakistani terrorists Suleiman Shah, Hamza Afghani, and Jibran
  • Investigation involved questioning over 1,000 people and forensic analysis from Gujarat
  • Charge sheet to name Lashkar-e-Taiba and its proxy The Resistance Front (TRF)
3 min read

Pahalgam terror attack: NIA to file charge sheet in Jammu court today

NIA files charge sheet in Jammu court for April's Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26, naming LeT and Pakistani terrorists before UAPA deadline.

"The two arrested persons are accused of harbouring and providing logistical support to three Pakistani terrorists... - NIA Sources"

Jammu, Dec 15

The National Investigation Agency will likely file the charge sheet in the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in the special NIA court in J&K’s Jammu city on Monday.

NIA sources said the investigation agency is filing the charge sheet in the designated court here as the 180-day statutory deadline under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), since the first arrests were made, is set to expire.

Two residents of the Pahalgam area, Bashir Ahmad Jothar and Parvez Ahmad Jothar, were arrested on June 22, nearly two months after terrorists killed 25 tourists and a local pony owner at Baisaran meadow.

“The two arrested persons are accused of harbouring and providing logistical support to three Pakistani terrorists, Suleiman Shah, Hamza Afghani alias Afghani and Jibran, who carried out the attack. The 180-day deadline for filing the charge sheet ends on December 18, and the agency is filing the charge sheet before the court within the stipulated period today,” NIA sources said.

NIA had sought an additional 45 days beyond the initial 90-day period to complete the investigation, which was granted by the court.

Terror outfits Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and its proxy, The Resistance Front (TRF), are likely to be named in the charge sheet.

The involvement of Pakistan-based terrorists affiliated with LeT in carrying out the attack was earlier confirmed by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Parliament.

“During the investigation, the NIA recovered Pakistani contact numbers from the phones of the arrested accused, which are considered crucial in uncovering the wider conspiracy. Forensic examination of materials recovered from the killed terrorists has also been carried out with assistance from the National Forensic Science University, Gandhinagar, Gujarat,” sources added.

NIA has so far questioned over 1,000 individuals, including tourists, pony owners, photographers, shopkeepers, and employees.

The NIA has informed the court that further forensic reports, mobile phone data analysis, and verification of additional suspects are underway to establish the full extent of the terror network and the role of overground workers, sources added.

The Pahalgam terror attack outraged the entire nation, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave a free hand to the Armed Forces to avenge the killings.

Under Operation Sindoor, the Indian Armed Forces destroyed nine terror infrastructures deep inside Pakistan in Muridke near Lahore, Bahawalpur, Kotli and Muzaffarabad in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

No military installation was attacked by the Indian forces till Pakistan escalated the situation by attacking civilian and military facilities.

In retaliatory action, 11 military bases were damaged by the Indian Armed Forces in Pakistan without crossing the border.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
The details are chilling. Questioning over 1000 people shows the scale of the investigation. I hope the charge sheet is watertight and leads to convictions. My heart goes out to the families of the victims.
A
Arjun K
Operation Sindoor was a strong message. We cannot let such attacks go unanswered. While the legal process must run its course, our security forces also need to keep proactive pressure on terror launchpads across the border.
P
Priya S
It's good that the charge sheet is being filed on time. But we must also think about the local economy in Pahalgam. Such attacks hurt tourism, which is the lifeline for so many families there. The government should provide support to rebuild confidence.
M
Michael C
The use of forensic science from Gandhinagar is a positive step. Building strong technical evidence is crucial for a successful prosecution, especially in complex terror cases with international links.
K
Kavya N
A respectful criticism: The article mentions the 180-day deadline pressure. While deadlines are important, I hope the investigation wasn't rushed just to meet a date. Justice for 26 lives depends on thoroughness, not just timeliness.
V
Vikram M
Naming LeT and TRF in the charge sheet is important for the world

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