SRINAGAR, JUN 22 : In the first major breakthrough in the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack case, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested two persons for harbouring the militants, who had attacked the tourists that killing 25 tourists and a local ponywala.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The two arrested persons have been identified as Parvaiz Ahmad Jothar from Batkote, Pahalgam and Bashir Ahmad Jothar of Hill Park, Pahalgam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe duo, during questioning, have disclosed the identities of the three terrorists involved in the attack. They have also confirmed that they were Pakistani nationals affiliated to the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT),\u201d an NIA spokesperson said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The NIA has arrested the duo under Section 19 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pahalgam attack planned by LeT with ISI, Pak Army help: NIA report; 20 Valley OGWs under probe<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As per NIA investigation, both Parvaiz and Bashir had knowingly harboured the three armed terrorists at a seasonal dhok (hut) at Hill Park before the attack. \u201cThe two men had provided food, shelter and logistical support to the terrorists, who had, on April 22 afternoon, selectively killed the tourists based on their religious identity, making it one of the most gruesome terrorist attacks ever. Both Parvaiz and Bashir have been arrested under Section 19 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. Further investigation in the case is going on,” the NIA spokesperson added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On April 22, militants attacked tourists at Pahalgam\u2019s Baisaran meadows, which is also known as mini Switzerland. 25 tourists belonging to different states and a local pony wala Syed Adil Shah, who attempted to save tourists by snatching the rifle of one of the attackers, were killed in the terror attack. 16 people were also injured in the attack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The security forces suspect involvement of four militants, including three Pakistanis Hashim Musa alias Suleiman, Ali Bhai alias Talha Bhai, Asif Fauji and a local militant, Abid Hussain Thoker, a resident of Anantnag in the April 22 Pahalgam attack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Police has announced a bounty of Rs 20 lakh on the head of militants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The NIA has taken over the investigation of the case and NIA officials are camping in Pahalgam for investigations. The NIA chief Sadanand Vasant Date has also visited the attack site to review the pace of investigations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On May 7, the Indian military launched Operation Sindoor to target and destroy terror infrastructure in Pakistan and PoK to avenge the Pahalgam attack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
-PTI<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" SRINAGAR, JUN 22 : In the first major breakthrough in the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack case, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested two persons for harbouring the militants,<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":138669,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[348],"tags":[27239,26982,2801],"class_list":["post-138668","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-national-news","tag-pahalgam-attack-nia-arrests-two-men-for-harbouring-let-terrorists","tag-pahalgam-terror-attack","tag-srinagar"],"yoast_head":"\n