Pahalgam Terror Attack: Lashkar commander Sajid Jatt behind the bloodshed, says NIA

In a major breakthrough, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has filed a chargesheet nearly eight months after the deadly Pahalgam terror attack. The attack, which occurred on April 22, claimed the lives of 26 people, mostly tourists, and sent shockwaves across the nation. 

The NIA chargesheet names seven accused, including top Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) commander Sajid Jatt, as the key handler behind the horrific attack. The chargesheet also implicates two terror outfits, LeT and The Resistance Front (TRF) in planning and executing the deadly assault.

The 1,597-page chargesheet paints a grim picture of Pakistan’s involvement in orchestrating the attack. It names Sajid Jatt as the primary handler of the operation and outlines the roles of five suspects and the two terrorist groups. Among the named individuals are three Pakistani terrorists, Suleman Shah, Habeeb Tahir aka Jibran, and Hamza Afghani who were killed in an encounter with security forces near Srinagar in July 2023.

The chargesheet also sheds light on the logistical and operational support provided to the terrorists by the accused. NIA’s findings suggest that Jatt, a well-known LeT commander, played a significant role in recruiting, funding, and infiltrating militants into the Kashmir Valley. He is also suspected of masterminding other attacks, including the Dhangri massacre in 2023 and several recent attacks on military targets.

International Networks and Rising Threats

Jatt, who operates from LeT’s headquarters in Islamabad, has been implicated in numerous high-profile attacks in the Kashmir Valley. The NIA chargesheet also notes his role in the recruitment and support of hybrid terrorists, further cementing his place as one of the most dangerous figures in Kashmir’s terrorist network.

The chargesheet not only unravels the deep-rooted conspiracy behind the Pahalgam attack but also highlights the ongoing threat posed by cross-border terrorism. With key figures like Sajid Jatt in the crosshairs of the investigation, the NIA continues to make strides in unraveling the complex network that fuels terrorism in the region. As the investigation progresses, it remains a reminder of the persistent danger that terrorist groups continue to pose to India’s national security.