Pahalgam Attack Case: NIA Files Chargesheet Against Pakistan-Based Handler, Six Others

Jammu: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Monday filed a chargesheet against seven accused in the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack case, including a Pakistan -based handler and members of the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and its proxy, The Resistance Front (TRF).

The chargesheet details Pakistan’s role in the conspiracy, the involvement of the accused, and supporting evidence. It has formally named the LeT/TRF as legal entities responsible for planning, facilitating, and executing the Pahalgam attack.

The attack, carried out by Pakistan -sponsored terrorists targeting individuals on the basis of religion, claimed the lives of 25 tourists and a local pony operator.

"Pakistani handler Sajid Jatt is also named as an accused in the 1,597-page chargesheet filed before the NIA special court, Jammu,' the agency said.

The chargesheet also includes the names of three Pakistani terrorists, Faisal Jatt alias Suleman Shah, Habeeb Tahir alias Jibran, and Hamza Afghani, killed by the Army during Operation Mahadev in Dachigam, Srinagar, on July 29, 99 days after the attack.

The NIA has invoked provisions against the accused for waging war against India. Following a meticulous scientific investigation spanning nearly eight months, the agency traced the conspiracy to Pakistan, which it said continues to sponsor terrorism against India.

Two other accused, Parvaiz Ahmad and Bashir Ahmad Jothar, arrested by the NIA on June 22 for harbouring terrorists, have also been charge sheeted. During interrogation, they revealed the identities of the three armed attackers and confirmed that they were Pakistani nationals affiliated with the proscribed LeT outfit.