Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 23: A local court in Jammu today sent two accused to five-day custody of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for their alleged involvement in harbouring three terrorists involved in the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that left 26 people dead and 16 injured.
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The accused-Parvaiz Ahmad Jothar of Batkote and Bashir Ahmad Jothar of Hill Park, both residents of Pahalgam-were produced before the Additional Sessions Judge Jammu (Vacation Sessions Judge), Ritesh Dubey, who granted the remand till June 27, 2025.
In a statement issued earlier, the NIA said, the duo provided food, shelter, and logistical support to three Pakistani terrorists affiliated with Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT), who later targeted tourists based on their religious identity in Baisaran Valley of famous tourist destination Pahalgam.
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However, NIA had detained several individuals for questioning in connection with the gruesome attack besides dismantling of several houses of the suspects across Kashmir Valley, the arrests, made on Sunday, marked the first major breakthrough in the investigation.
During questioning, the NIA said, the accused revealed the identities of the attackers and confirmed their affiliation to the proscribed terror outfit Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) of Pakistan.
According to the federal agency, the three terrorists were housed in a seasonal hut (dhok) at Hill Park prior to the attack, which has been described as one of the most brutal incidents in recent years, and has been condemned unequivocally by various countries, organisations and individuals.
The accused, who were earlier booked under section 19 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, are believed to the pony wallas.
Meanwhile, the National Investigation Agency has been further investigating the case RC-02/2025/NIA/JMU, registered in connection with April 22 incident that even brought two nuclear-armed neighbours, India and Pakistan, close to a war.
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