Days after NIA arrested two local youth for harbouring killers of Pahalgam tourists on April 22, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said that there is 'no local involvement' in the terror attack which claimed the lives of 26 individuals. He further said that those who allegedly provided shelter to terrorists “probably did so under compelling circumstances or coercion".
“There was no local involvement in the Pahalgam incident. The people who shot and killed those 26 persons were all outsiders," Abdullah said during an inauguration event in Gulmarg on Tuesday.“It is possible that these individuals acted under duress. Although they provided food to the terrorists, it could have been done under coercion. Let the investigation continue, following its conclusion, the chargesheet and other legal proceedings will be presented by the NIA,” CM Omar added.
"The NIA investigation is going on two locals have been arrested for assisting them, possibly by providing food, though coercion cannot be ruled out. Let the investigation proceed," Abdullah added.He further emphasised that the ongoing NIA probe would determine further details, with legal proceedings to follow.
The Chief Minister further urged the probe agency “not to draw sweeping conclusions." “We must not allow the actions of a few foreign militants to paint our people as collaborators," Abdullah said.Meanwhile, the NIA said that both the arrested suspects knew about the terror affiliations of the three gunmen and despite that provided them with shelter, food and logistical support in the days leading up to the April 22 attack.
The duo has also disclosed the identities of the three terrorists and have also confirmed that they were Pakistani nationals affiliated to the proscribed terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). A local court in Jammu on Monday granted the NIA five-day remand of the two the accused who were arrested.
Follow us
