New Delhi, Dec 15 (JKNS): The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is set to file its chargesheet in the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack case on Monday, as the 180-day statutory timeline under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) from the first arrests is nearing expiry.
The chargesheet in RC-02/2025/NIA/JMU (Pahalgam Terror Attack Case) is expected to be submitted before the Special NIA Court in Jammu today, sources told news agency JKNS.
Two local residents of Pahalgam, Bashir Ahmad Jothar and Parvez Ahmad Jothar, were arrested on June 22, nearly two months after the attack at Baisaran meadow that killed 25 tourists and a pony operator. The duo is accused of providing shelter and logistical support to three Pakistani terrorists Suleiman Shah, Hamza Afghani alias Afghan, and Jibran who carried out the assault, officials said.
Sources said the 180-day deadline for filing the chargesheet ends on December 18, and the NIA is preparing to submit the document within the stipulated period. Earlier, in October, the agency had requested an additional 45 days beyond the initial 90-day period to complete the investigation, which was approved by the Jammu court.
According to officials, terror outfits Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and its proxy The Resistance Front (TRF) are expected to be named in the chargesheet. Union Home Minister Amit Shah had earlier confirmed the involvement of Pakistan-based LeT terrorists in Parliament.
During the investigation, the NIA reportedly recovered Pakistani contact numbers from the phones of the arrested accused, considered crucial in exposing the larger conspiracy. Forensic examination of materials retrieved from the killed terrorists has also been conducted with assistance from the National Forensic Science University, Gandhinagar, sources added.
The agency has so far questioned over 1,000 individuals, including tourists, pony and mule owners, photographers, shopkeepers, and employees, as part of the probe.
The NIA informed the court that further forensic reports, mobile phone data analysis, and verification of additional suspects are ongoing to establish the full extent of the terror network and the role of overground workers.
The deadly and barbaric Pahalgam terror attack claimed 27 lives including 26 tourists and one local pony rider. (JKNS)