By Pravin Kumar
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) announced on Monday that the identities of the terrorists responsible for the devastating Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, 2025, will be revealed at an appropriate time, as investigations continue with rigorous scrutiny.
The attack, which targeted tourists, claimed 26 lives and left 16 others injured, marking it as one of the deadliest terror incidents in recent times.
In a late evening statement, the NIA confirmed that two individuals, identified as Parvaiz Ahmad Jothar from Batkote, Pahalgam, and Bashir Ahmad Jothar from Hill Park, Pahalgam, were presented before the NIA Special Court in Jammu on June 23, 2025.
The court, presided over by Additional District and Sessions Judge Ritesh Kumar Dubey, remanded the accused to five days of police custody until June 27, 2025, for further interrogation. The duo was arrested on June 22, marking the first significant breakthrough in the investigation.
The NIA revealed that Parvaiz and Bashir are accused of knowingly harboring three armed terrorists at a seasonal dhok (hut) in Hill Park, Pahalgam, prior to the attack. The agency stated that the accused provided food and logistical support to the terrorists, who selectively targeted tourists based on their religious identity, resulting in what the NIA described as “one of the most gruesome terrorist attacks ever.”
Addressing concerns over speculative reports, the NIA expressed concern over misleading media and social media coverage regarding the sketches and identities of the terrorists involved. “Some media coverage is speculative and therefore of a misleading nature. Such reports circulating in sections of the media and on social media platforms are regarding the sketches and identities of the NIA terrorists involved in the terror attack at Pahalgam,” the NIA stated.
The agency reiterated that, as per its press release dated June 22, 2025, the two arrested individuals have disclosed critical details about the identities of the three armed terrorists during their interrogation. The NIA has gathered substantial evidence, including eyewitness accounts from victims, technical evidence from video footage, and sketches, video footages released by the Jammu and Kashmir Police. However, the agency emphasized that this evidence is still being carefully analyzed, and no conclusions have been reached at this stage.
“The investigation is being carried out with the highest standards of professionalism, and all aspects of the terror attack are being thoroughly examined,” the NIA stated, assuring that further details, including the identities of the terrorists, will be shared at an appropriate time.
