The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has officially taken over the investigation into the deadly Pahalgam terror attack, sources confirmed to ANI. The attack, which occurred on April 22 at the Baisaran meadow near Pahalgam, resulted in the killing of 26 tourists, including one Nepali citizen, and left over 36 others injured.
The NIA formally registered a new FIR late on Saturday following an order from the Ministry of Home Affairs' Counter Terrorism and Counter Radicalisation (CTCR) division. The terror attack, which has been claimed by the Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba’s proxy group, The Resistance Front (TRF), was deemed grave enough for the agency’s intervention.
The NIA took charge of the case five days after the incident and four days after its team visited the attack site to assist the Jammu and Kashmir Police. A team led by a Deputy Inspector General visited the Baisaran area on April 23 to assess the situation.
Sources privy to the matter confirmed to ANI, “The NIA has formally taken over the case from the Jammu and Kashmir Police and stated its investigation.” The NIA team will assess the attack site, collect forensic evidence, and assist in identifying those responsible.
The attack has added to the tense atmosphere in Kashmir, where tourist arrivals were increasing after years of militancy. The 38-day Amarnath Yatra is scheduled to begin on July 3, further complicating security concerns.
In the wake of the attack, Indian authorities have also compiled a list of 14 local terrorists operating in the region. These individuals, aged between 20 and 40, are allegedly providing logistical support to foreign terrorists from Pakistan. They are reportedly affiliated with terror groups such as Hizbul Mujahideen, Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM).
The list includes several active members in Jammu and Kashmir, some of whom have been involved in terrorist activities since 2015. Notably, Adil Rehman Dentoo, the Sopore district commander of LeT, and Asif Ahmed Sheikh, a district commander of JeM in Awantipora, are among those named. Authorities are closely monitoring these individuals, as they have reportedly aided Pakistani terrorists in carrying out attacks.
A significant part of the investigation involves the identification of five terrorists who carried out the Pahalgam attack. These individuals include three Pakistani nationals—Asif Fauji, Suleman Shah, and Abu Talha—along with two Valley-based operatives, Adil Guri and Ahsan. A bounty of Rs 20 lakh has been placed on each of these terrorists.
Security forces have launched coordinated operations across South Kashmir, especially in Anantnag and Pulwama, where many of these identified terrorists are believed to be operating.
The NIA’s takeover of the investigation and the identification of local terror aides highlight the ongoing efforts by security agencies to dismantle terrorist networks operating in Jammu and Kashmir and to prevent further attacks.
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