Jammu, Dec 15: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Monday filed a chargesheet before a special court in Jammu against two local residents in connection with the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam earlier this year that claimed the lives of 26 people, mostly tourists.
According to official sources, the chargesheet names Parvaiz Ahmad Jothar of Batkote in Anantnag district and Bashir Ahmad Jothar of Pahalgam for allegedly providing shelter, food and logistical assistance to the terrorists involved in the April 22 attack in the Baisaran area. The accused were arrested in June after sustained investigation.
The two have been booked under relevant sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and the Indian Penal Code for allegedly aiding and abetting the perpetrators. Officials said the chargesheet is based on extensive evidence, including forensic inputs, digital records and witness statements gathered during the probe.
The attack, which took place in the scenic Baisaran meadows near Pahalgam, sent shockwaves across Jammu and Kashmir and the rest of the country. The area, a popular destination for domestic tourists, witnessed panic and chaos as armed militants opened fire on visitors, leaving 26 dead and several others injured. The injured were rushed to nearby medical facilities, with the critically wounded shifted to Srinagar for advanced treatment.
Investigating agencies said the case was pursued with priority, given its impact on civilian life and tourism in the region. Security forces later carried out multiple operations in south and central Kashmir as part of efforts to track down those involved in the attack. The militants were subsequently neutralised in a counter-terror operation in the Dachigam forest area.
Officials stated that the role of the two accused was confined to providing assistance after the incident, but added that such support networks play a crucial role in facilitating terror activities. “The investigation focused not only on the attackers but also on those who knowingly extended help,” an official said.
The filing of the chargesheet has been welcomed by local residents, many of whom said the attack had deeply affected livelihoods dependent on tourism. Pahalgam, known for its natural beauty, had seen a sharp drop in tourist arrivals following the incident, impacting hoteliers, pony operators and small traders.
Legal experts expect the trial to move at a faster pace, as courts have been emphasising time-bound proceedings in terror-related cases. The NIA reiterated its commitment to ensuring accountability and preventing the misuse of local support systems for violent activities.
As winter sets in across the valley, residents hope that sustained security measures and timely justice will help restore confidence among visitors and allow the region to return to normalcy in the coming seasons.
