Pahalgam Attack: Special NIA Court Extends Custody of Two Accused by 45 Days

Jammu, Sep 20: A special NIA court in Jammu has extended by 45 days the custodial remand of two accused arrested for allegedly harbouring Pakistani terrorists involved in the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives and left 16 others injured.

Special NIA Judge Sandeep Gandotra, while extending the remand of Bashir Ahmad Jothat of Baisaran and Parvaiz Ahmad of Batkote, observed that pending forensic and DNA profiling reports, along with witness statements, justified the extension beyond the stipulated 90-day period.

Public Prosecutor Chandan Kumar Singh, representing the NIA, sought the extension under provisions of UAPA, citing crucial pending evidence, including DNA profiling of blankets and shawls recovered at the behest of the accused, forensic analysis of arms and ammunition seized during a July 28 encounter in which three terrorists were killed, and mobile data linked to Pakistani numbers.

The court noted that a prima facie case existed for extending custody and directed investigators to expedite the probe at the earliest.

According to the NIA, both accused had knowingly sheltered the three Pakistani terrorists affiliated with Lashkar-e-Taiba in a seasonal dhok (hut) in Hill Park, Pahalgam, before the deadly attack. The case was re-registered by the NIA and continues to be closely monitored by senior officials