Have Two Men Been Arrested for Harbouring Terrorists in the Pahalgam Attack?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- NIA arrests two for harboring terrorists
- Attack resulted in 26 fatalities
- Affiliation with Lashkar-e-Taiba confirmed
- Investigations are ongoing
- India retaliated with targeted strikes
Jammu, June 22 (NationPress) The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has made significant progress by apprehending two individuals for providing shelter to the terrorists responsible for the April 22 Pahalgam attack, which resulted in the deaths of 26 tourists and left 16 others severely injured.
The arrested individuals, identified as Parvaiz Ahmad Jothar from Batkote, Pahalgam, and Bashir Ahmad Jothar of Hill Park, Pahalgam, were announced by the NIA in a press release on Sunday.
These men have revealed the identities of the three armed terrorists involved in this heinous attack and confirmed their affiliation as Pakistani nationals linked to the banned terrorist organization Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).
According to NIA investigations, Parvaiz and Bashir knowingly sheltered the armed terrorists at a seasonal dhok (hut) in Hill Park prior to the attack.
“These two provided food, shelter, and logistical support to the terrorists, who, on that tragic afternoon, targeted tourists based on their religious identity, marking it as one of the most brutal terrorist attacks in recent history,” stated the release.
The NIA has charged the duo under Section 19 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, and they are currently investigating case RC-02/2025/NIA/JMU, which was registered following the attack on April 22 that shocked the world.
Further investigations are ongoing,” the NIA confirmed.
It is worth noting that on April 22, terrorists affiliated with Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), backed by Pakistan, killed 26 civilians, including 25 tourists and a local pony owner who attempted to prevent the attack. Among the victims was a Nepalese national.
The attack ignited outrage across the nation, prompting Prime Minister Narendra Modi to grant the armed forces a mandate for retaliation.
India executed targeted strikes against terror infrastructure in nine locations across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, including Muridke near Lahore, Bahawalpur, Kotli, and Muzaffarabad.
In response, Pakistan targeted civilian infrastructure in Poonch, Rajouri, Kupwara, Bandipora, and Baramulla districts of Jammu & Kashmir, launching a series of drone attacks along the western border. Following this, Indian forces conducted precision strikes on 11 airbases in Pakistan.