In a major development in the investigation of the recent Pahalgam terror attack, Jammu and Kashmir Police have arrested Mohammad Kataria, a key operative who provided crucial logistical support to the militants involved.
Officials confirmed that Kataria’s arrest came after a detailed forensic and technical analysis of the weapons recovered during Operation Mahadev. His role in arranging shelter, movement, and supplies for the attackers has been established.The Pahalgam attack, one of the deadliest in recent years, claimed the lives of 26 people. Police said the arrest marks a “big breakthrough” in dismantling the network behind the assault and is expected to lead to further leads on the militants and their handlers.
Security agencies continue their investigation to trace the wider module connected to the cross-border conspiracy.Earlier, it was in June this year when in a breakthrough in the case, the National Investigation Agency(NIA) arrested two men for allegedly harbouring the terrorists who carried out the attack. Parvaiz Ahmad Jothar from Batkote and Bashir Ahmad Jothar of Hill Park, Pahalgam, had disclosed the identities of the three armed terrorists involved in the attack.
According to agency, the accused had also confirmed that they were Pakistani nationals affiliated with the proscribed terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba. Parvaiz and Bashir had knowingly harboured the three armed terrorists at a seasonal hut at Hill Park before the attack. It said that the arrested men had provided food, shelter and logistical support to the terrorists. NIA has arrested the duo under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
On September 20, special NIA court in Jammu has extended by 45 days the custodial remand of duo arrested on charges of harbouring Pakistani terrorists involved in the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. Special judge Sandeep Gandotra on Thursday extended the remand of Pahalgam locals Bashir Ahmad Jothat and Parvaiz Ahmad, who hail from Baisaran and Batkote, respectively, beyond the stipulated 90-day period to allow the NIA more time to complete its probe into the massacre of 26 people, after public prosecutor Chandan Kumar Singh submitted that the investigation was at a crucial stage, and several witness statements yet to be recorded.
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