Two Pahalgam locals, Parvaiz Ahmad Jothar of Batkote and Bashir Ahmad Jothar of Hill Park, have been taken into custody on suspicion of harbouring the attackers before the horrific April 22 terror attack.

The terrorists who killed 26 tourists and injured 16 others in the Pahalgam terrorist attack this April were Pakistani nationals connected to the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) organisation, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has confirmed.

Two Pahalgam locals, Parvaiz Ahmad Jothar of Batkote and Bashir Ahmad Jothar of Hill Park, have been taken into custody on suspicion of harbouring the attackers before the horrific Pahalgam terror attack on April 22.

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According to investigators, the duo provided food, shelter, and logistical support to the terrorists at a seasonal hut in the Hill Park area. The attackers reportedly selected their victims based on religious identity, in what officials describe as one of the most heinous terror attacks in recent years.

As per sources within central intelligence agencies cited in a News18 report, the attackers were highly trained, possibly having participated in earlier attacks, including those in the Spiner area of Jammu and Kashmir. Their training reportedly included advanced combat techniques, covert movement, and survival tactics.

Investigators believe the terrorists started their journey in Abbottabad, Pakistan, a city famous for its military installations, before advancing to Muzaffarabad and then entering India, most likely through the Poonch-Rajouri corridor.

Notably, several intelligence services have identified this infiltration route as a preferred route for cross-border terrorism in recent years.

Meantime, the NIA is also analysing digital footprints and communication trails to determine the attackers’ movements within Jammu and Kashmir. A specialised communication system, reportedly used by the group, has made tracking difficult due to its resistance to interception.

It is also believed that the terrorists stayed at multiple safe houses in the region and potentially collaborated with other terror cells, say investigators cited in the report. The role of these terrorists in previous attacks across Jammu is now under close scrutiny.

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It should be noted that the role of local support has emerged as a critical flashpoint of the probe.

The arrested suspects, Parvaiz and Bashir, are said to have knowingly aided the militants. They disclosed the three attackers’ identities and verified their LeT affiliation and Pakistani nationality while being questioned.

A variety of evidence has been gathered by authorities, including police sketches, CCTV footage, eyewitness accounts, and technical data. Investigators say the evidence trail is solid, even though the NIA has not formally closed the case.