NIA steps in to lead Pahalgam attack probe & target terror networks | Fusion - WeRIndia

Following the devastating attack on tourists in Pahalgam, the need for a specialized investigation became urgent.

To ensure a thorough and professional probe, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has formally taken over the case.

The Ministry of Home Affairs directed the NIA to intervene, considering the gravity of the assault.

The attack, claimed by Lashkar-e-Taiba’s proxy group The Resistance Front (TRF), resulted in 26 deaths and over 36 injuries.

A dedicated counter-terror body like the NIA can bring deeper expertise, advanced forensics, and inter-agency coordination. Therefore, its involvement is crucial to trace the perpetrators swiftly.

Five days after the April 22 attack, the NIA registered a fresh FIR and deployed a team led by a Deputy Inspector General to Baisaran meadow, where the attack occurred.

The agency’s role will focus on collecting forensic evidence, mapping terror networks, and dismantling local support systems.

Moreover, NIA’s investigation is vital because Kashmir has seen a surge in tourism after years of militancy.

Another major event, the Amarnath Yatra, is set to begin soon. Preventing further attacks is critical for regional stability.

Simultaneously, intelligence agencies identified 14 local terrorists who provide logistical support to foreign terrorists from Pakistan.

These operatives belong to groups like Hizbul Mujahideen, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Jaish-e-Mohammed.

Among them, Adil Rehman Dentoo, Asif Ahmed Sheikh, and Zubair Ahmed Wani are significant figures.

These men aid cross-border terrorism by coordinating movements, safe houses, and logistics for Pakistani terrorists.

Investigators are examining connections between local individuals and the five attackers behind the Pahalgam carnage, which included three Pakistani nationals.

Authorities have released sketches of the Pakistani operatives and announced a reward of ₹20 lakh for each. The probe aims to uncover the full network behind the brutal incident.

By taking over the case, the NIA’s expertise is expected to speed up arrests, prevent future attacks, and dismantle terror cells that threaten Kashmir’s fragile peace.

Image Credit: Pulakit Singh, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Image Reference: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:NIA_Headquarters_in_New_Delhi.jpg