The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has made significant progress in uncovering the details of the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives on April 22. The investigation reveals that the terrorists conducted reconnaissance of several tourist locations in Pahalgam before selecting Baisaran Valley as the target.
Key Findings:
- Advance Planning: The terrorists arrived in Pahalgam on April 15 and conducted reconnaissance of multiple locations, including Aru Valley, Betab Valley, and Baisaran.
- Target Selection: Initially, the terrorists planned to target Betab Valley but later changed their plan to Baisaran, reportedly due to easier escape routes.
- Local Involvement: Two local terrorists and five Over Ground Workers (OGWs) were involved in the reconnaissance, and some OGWs were aware of the attack plan.
- Terrorist Identity: According to investigators, the mastermind behind the attack is Hashim Musa, a former Pakistan Army commando ¹.
Investigation Progress:
- NIA Raids: The NIA has raided 100 places in Jammu and Kashmir as part of the investigation.
- Questioning and Detentions: Around 2,500 people have been questioned, and approximately 200 individuals have been detained for further investigation ².
The NIA is working to prepare a final report on the terrorist attack, and the investigation is ongoing.