New Delhi, April 27, 2025 – The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has officially taken over the probe into the devastating Pahalgam terror attack that claimed the lives of 26 tourists earlier this week. The central anti-terror body registered a fresh FIR late on Saturday following an order from the Counter Terrorism and Counter Radicalisation (CTCR) division of the Ministry of Home Affairs, given the gravity of the attack and its links to Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba’s proxy, The Resistance Front (TRF).
According to top sources, the NIA began its independent investigation five days after the attack and four days after a team led by a Deputy Inspector General-rank officer visited the site to assist the Jammu and Kashmir Police. The incident, which is the deadliest assault on civilians in the region in nearly two decades, occurred on April 22 at the Baisaran meadow near Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir.
The NIA team is now set to conduct a thorough forensic examination of the site, collect evidence, and assist in tracking down the perpetrators. Authorities had earlier deployed helicopters for the evacuation of injured victims from the area.
The attack took place as Kashmir witnessed a significant surge in tourism, with preparations underway for the upcoming 38-day Amarnath Yatra set to begin on July 3.
Meanwhile, intelligence agencies have identified 14 active local terrorists suspected of aiding Pakistani operatives in Jammu and Kashmir. These individuals, aged between 20 and 40, are linked to three major terror outfits: Hizbul Mujahideen, Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). The agencies have intensified operations across South Kashmir, particularly targeting Anantnag and Pulwama districts, to dismantle these terror networks.
The 14 identified local terrorists include Adil Rehman Dentoo, Asif Ahmed Sheikh, Ahsan Ahmed Sheikh, Haris Nazir, Aamir Nazir Wani, Yawar Ahmed Bhat, Asif Ahmed Khanday, Naseer Ahmed Wani, Shahid Ahmed Kutay, Aamir Ahmed Dar, Adnan Safi Dar, Zubair Ahmed Wani, Haroon Rashid Ganai, and Zakir Ahmed Ganie. Several of these individuals are believed to be active commanders within their respective outfits, with some having received training in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir.
Investigators are also examining possible links between these local operatives and the five terrorists involved in the Pahalgam attack, including three Pakistani nationals — Asif Fauji, Suleman Shah, and Abu Talha — whose sketches were recently released. Two Valley-based terrorists, Adil Guri and Ahsan, have also been identified, with a reward of Rs 20 lakh announced on each of them.
The NIA’s takeover is expected to bring greater coordination and expertise to the case as authorities continue their search for those responsible for the tragic attack that shook the entire nation.
