New Delhi, June 23, 2025:
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has confirmed that all three of the terrorists who carried out the Pahalgam attack in Jammu and Kashmir earlier this year were Pakistani nationals, which is a significant development. The disclosure comes after two locals were arrested for allegedly giving the attackers support and shelter.
26 civilians were killed and at least 16 others were injured in the attack that happened on April 22 in the well known tourist destination of Pahalgam. Tourists were the majority of the victims. The three attackers, who were members of the banned terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba, entered Indian territory with the assistance of handlers on the other side of the border, the NIA said.
The two arrested people, Parvaiz Ahmad Jothar and Bashir Ahmad Jothar, both from the Pahalgam region, are charged with providing the terrorists with food, shelter, and other logistical support before the attack. According to an official familiar with the investigation, "they hosted the militants, who also threatened them with dire consequences if they reported the activity to security forces."
Investigators found the accused using digital evidence, such as phone call logs and intercepted messages. Later, witnesses attested that the attackers were the same men depicted in previously made public sketches. According to the NIA, "all three were Pakistanis, and one of them has been identified as Suleman Shah, who has also been named in previous terror activities, including the Z-Morh tunnel attack."
Concerning recurring cross border infiltrations, the agency is also investigating whether one of the attackers was connected to previous incidents in Kulgam and Poonch. "This demonstrates how terror elements use intimidation to take advantage of locals, but it also confirms that there was no local participation in the Pahalgam strike itself," an official continued.
Separately, the Press Information Bureau (PIB) has denied social media posts that went viral alleging that the US conducted military operations against Iran using Indian airspace. The posts were flagged as fraudulent by the PIB's Fact Check unit, which claimed that "the United States did not use Indian airspace during the so called Operation Midnight Hammer."
Statements from US defense officials and flight path information provided in formal briefings served as the foundation for the clarification. During times of international tension, the Indian government has advised its citizens to refrain from disseminating unverified content and to be wary of misinformation.
When taken as a whole, these events demonstrate India's continuous fight against online disinformation and transnational terrorism.
