New Delhi, Apr 14 (ANI): Activist Gautam Navlakha surrendered before National Investigation Agency (NIA) in connection with Bhima Koregaon violence matter, in New Delhi on Tuesday. (ANI Photo)
New Delhi [India], April 27 (ANI): The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has officially taken over the investigation into the deadly Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed the lives of 26 tourists on April 22. The Central anti-terror agency formally registered a fresh FIR on Saturday following instructions from the Ministry of Home Affairs, given the gravity of the situation and the involvement of Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba’s proxy, the Resistance Front (TRF), which has claimed responsibility for the attack.
This move comes five days after the incident and four days after the NIA team visited the attack site to support the Jammu and Kashmir Police in their initial probe. The NIA’s intervention is seen as a crucial step due to the scale of the attack, which resulted in the deaths of 26 individuals, including a Nepali citizen, and left over three dozen others injured. The incident took place around 2 PM at Baisaran meadow, a popular tourist spot near Pahalgam.
The NIA team, led by a Deputy Inspector General-rank officer, conducted an assessment of the site on April 23, and is now expected to carry out a thorough investigation, including forensic analysis, to identify the perpetrators. Authorities also deployed a helicopter for evacuating the injured.
The attack occurred at a time when Kashmir was witnessing a rise in tourist arrivals, with the 38-day Amarnath Yatra set to begin on July 3. The investigation by the NIA is particularly significant as intelligence agencies have compiled a list of 14 local terrorists in the Union Territory who are suspected of providing logistical support to foreign militants, including those from Pakistan. These individuals are allegedly affiliated with Hizbul Mujahideen, Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM).
The identified operatives range in age from 20 to 40 years and are believed to be playing a critical role in facilitating terrorist activities in the region. Among them, several are involved in aiding foreign terrorists by providing logistical and ground-level support. The NIA’s investigation is focused on uncovering links between these local operatives and the five terrorists involved in the Pahalgam attack, including three Pakistani nationals. Authorities have already announced a reward of Rs 20 lakh for information leading to the capture of these suspects.
As security forces intensify operations in South Kashmir, particularly in Anantnag and Pulwama districts, the focus remains on dismantling the networks that support cross-border terrorism. The release of the list of 14 active local terrorists is part of the larger strategy to prevent further attacks and neutralize terror networks in the region. (ANI)
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