Pahalgam terror attack: NIA files chargesheet; names seven accused including LeT, TRF

Mangalore Today News Network

Srinagar, December 16, 2025: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has exposed Pakistan’s involvement in the April 22 Pahalgam militant attack by filing a charge sheet against seven accused including four Pakistanis, and also the Pakistan-based militant outfit Lashkar-e-Toiba and its off-shoot The Resistant Front (TRF).

The NIA on Monday filed a detailed 1,597-page chargesheet on the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack before the NIA Special Court, Jammu.

On April 22, militants had attacked tourists at Baisaran meadows in Pahalgam, killing 25 tourists from different states and a local ponywala, who attempted to snatch a weapon of one of the attackers to save the tourists.

After taking over investigation of the attack, the NIA had identified the attackers as three Pakistani militants --- Faisal Jatt alias Suleman Shah, Habeeb Tahir alias Jibran and Hamza Afghani --- after detailed examination of eye witnesses, suspects detained and over technical assistance. 

All three Pakistani militants were killed in an encounter with security forces in Dachigam forest area in outskirts of Srinagar on July 28.

“The chargesheet details Pakistan’s conspiracy, roles of accused, and supporting evidence in the case. It has charged the LeT/TRF as a legal entity for its role in planning, facilitating, and executing the Pahalgam attack,” an NIA spokesperson said.

Among the seven accused who were chargesheeted were Pakistani handler Sajid Jatt and the three Pakistani militants killed by security forces at Dachigam, Srinagar in July.

The LeT/TRF and the four Pakistanis including three slain militants have been charged under relevant provisions of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023, the Arms Act 1959 and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.

In its chargesheet, NIA has also invoked penal sections against the accused for waging war against India.

“NIA, through a meticulous scientific probe spanning the past almost 8 months, had traced the conspiracy in the case RC-02/2025/NIA/JMU to Pakistan, which has been unabatedly sponsoring terrorism against India,” an NIA spokesperson added.

The chargesheet also names two local residents of Pahalgam—Parvaiz Ahmad and Bashir Ahmad Jothatd—who were arrested on June 22 for harbouring the militants. 

“During interrogation, the two men had disclosed identities of the three terrorists involved in the attack and had also confirmed that they were Pakistani nationals affiliated to proscribed LeT,” the NIA spokesman asserted.

The Pahalgam terror attack brought India and Pakistan close to the brink of war as the Indian military on May 7 launched Operation Sindoor to avenge the terror attack on tourists. It targetted and destroyed nine militant infrastructures in Pakistan and the PoK including the Jaish, Lashkar and Hizb headquarters through precise missile strikes.

India and Pakistan troops were involved in skirmishes for three days and both countries agreed on a ceasefire on May 10.