A special NIA court in Jammu has extended by 45 days the custodial remand of two men accused of harbouring Pakistani terrorists involved in the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives, mostly tourists, and left 16 injured.
Special NIA Judge Sandeep Gandotra, on September 18, allowed the National Investigation Agency’s plea for extension beyond the stipulated 90-day limit, noting that crucial stages of investigation, including forensic and DNA profiling reports, were still pending.
The court observed that a prima facie case was made out for continuing the investigation and detention of the accused — Bashir Ahmad Jothat of Baisaran and Parvaiz Ahmad of Batkote, both in Pahalgam.
“The extension for a period of 45 days is given to the investigating officer for the investigation of the case beyond the period of 90 days in favour of accused Bashir Ahmad Jothat and Parvaiz Ahmad with direction to complete the investigation as soon as possible,” the order stated.
The two accused, produced before the court through virtual mode, remain lodged in Amphalla Jail, Jammu.
Public Prosecutor Chandan Kumar Singh, representing the NIA, argued that the probe was at a crucial stage and sought extension under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). He highlighted several pending tasks:
- Statements of key witnesses.
- Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) and DNA profiling reports.
- Analysis of mobile data linked to Pakistani numbers.
- Forensic examination of arms, ammunition, and other recoveries from a July 28 encounter in which three terrorists were killed.
- DNA extraction from blankets, shawls, and bedsheets recovered at the behest of the accused, to be matched with slain terrorists.
Singh added that more suspects and overground workers had surfaced during the ongoing investigation.
According to the NIA, Bashir Ahmad Jothat and Parvaiz Ahmad knowingly sheltered three Pakistani nationals, identified as members of the banned terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), at a seasonal “dhok” (hut) in Hill Park, Pahalgam.
The federal agency alleges that the terrorists stayed there before executing the April 22 massacre at Baisaran meadow, where they targeted tourists from a particular community.
The two accused were arrested on June 22, two months after the attack, and have since been in judicial custody.
The NIA court directed the investigating officer to expedite the probe and submit the pending forensic and witness reports at the earliest, underscoring the gravity of the case and the need for timely completion of investigation.
