Srinagar, (UNI) A day after making the first breakthrough in the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) Monday said it has gathered a substantial body of evidence regarding the identities of the terrorists involved in the attack, based on eyewitness accounts of victims, video footages, technical evidence and even the sketches earlier released by Jammu and Kashmir Police.
The NIA said the identities and further details of the terrorists will be made public at an appropriate time.
The anti-terror agency said the two arrested accused persons – Parvaiz Ahmad Jothar and Bashir Ahmad Jothar – charged with harbouring the terror perpetrators were produced before the NIA Special Court at Jammu and they have been remanded in five days police custody.
The NIA said some media coverage regarding the sketches and identities of the terrorists involved in the terror attack at Pahalgam is speculative and therefore of misleading nature.
“Two accused persons have been arrested in connection with the attack. During their interrogation, they have disclosed details about the identities of the three armed terrorists involved. The NIA has gathered a substantial body of evidence regarding the identities of the terrorists. This includes eyewitness accounts from victims, video footages, technical evidence, and the sketches released by the Jammu and Kashmir Police. All this evidence is being carefully analysed and NIA has not reached any conclusions at this stage,” the NIA said in a statement.
The NIA assures that the investigation is being carried out with the highest standards of professionalism, and all aspects of the terror attack are being thoroughly examined.
“The identities and further details of the terrorists will be made public at an appropriate time,” it added.
NIA on Sunday said Parvaiz and Bashir disclosed the identities of the three armed terrorists involved in the attack, and also confirmed that they were Pakistani nationals affiliated to the proscribed terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).
The NIA said Parvaiz and Bashir had knowingly harboured the three armed terrorists at a seasonal dhok (hut) at Hill Park before the attack.
“The two men had provided food, shelter and logistical support to the terrorists, who had, on the fateful afternoon, selectively killed the tourists on the basis of their religious identity, making it one of the most gruesome terrorist attacks ever,” NIA said.
