New Delhi: The National Investigating Agency (NIA) arrested two local residents for allegedly harboring terrorists involved in the Pahalgam terror attack on Sunday. The arrest comes two months after India conducted retaliatory attacks in several areas of Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir.
The arrests came days after the NIA along with the Jammu and Kashmir police and central paramilitary personnel carried out raids at 32 locations in Kashmir. The raids were carried out in Shopian, Kulgam, Pulwama, Sopore and Kupwara. Several overground workers were found to be living in these areas with alleged connections with Pakistan based terror groups, Hindustan Times reported.
Provided shelter to terrorists
The accused Parvaiz Ahmad Jothar and Bashir Ahmad Jothar were residents of Batkote and Hill Park, areas of Jammu and Kashmir respectively. The two are accused of allegedly providing food, shelter and logistical support to three armed terrorists affiliated with the banned Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba(LeT), said NIA officials. They allegedly provided shelter to the terrorists in a seasonal hut (dhok) in the Hill Park area, before the attack.
The NIA reported that the two accused Parvaiz and Bashir revealed the identity of the three terrorists and said that the attackers were Pakistani nationals. The two have been arrested under Section 19 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act of 1967. The NIA officials are further investigating the case.
Pahalgam attack
The Pahalgam terror attack took place on April 22. It claimed at least 26 innocent lives and injured almost 16 people in the Baisaran valley, making it one of the most horrendous attacks in the history of India. India launched “Operation Sindoor” on May 7, targeting Pakistan’s terrorist bases. The Indian military hit 9 terror camps in both Pakistan and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir.
