Pahalgam terrorists served food, given shelter by a local, NIA charge sheet reveals

The three Pahalgam terrorists were served food and water by a local residing nearby before they killed 26 people last year, a chargesheet by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has revealed.

The Pakistani terrorists stormed into a small mountain meadow in Pahalgam's Baisaran as tourists were revelling in the area on April 22 last year. The victims were shot dead as they were unable to recite the 'Kalma' as asked by the terrorists.

The three terrorists were later identified as Faisal Jatt alias Suleman Shah, Habeeb Tahir alias Jibran, and Hamza Afghani. They were killed by Indian security forces during Operation Mahadev on the outskirts of Srinagar on July 29.

Served rice, rotis packed for later

The NIA chargesheet contains the testimony of a local named Bashir Ahmad Jothatd, who has been accused of harbouring the terrorists, saying that the three men emerged from behind the trees where he was checking on his horses.

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Bashir recalls that the men were armed and were speaking in Urdu with a Punjabi touch. They demanded "a safe place" and "food" from Bashir, following which he took them to his nephew's hut located at Hill Park.

Here, Bashir's nephew Parvaiz Ahmad, the terrorists were served water and tea. The armed men then asked Parvaiz to hide their bags and pouches under blankets. Later, the three terrorists were given food (rice and tomatoes), while rotis (Indian bread) were packed for their onward journey.

"My mama (maternal uncle) Bashir Ahmad Jothar walked in and told us to remain silent. He went outside and returned within a few moments, followed by three men carrying guns. The armed men sat down inside the dhok. They told me to give them water as they were very tired and thirsty, saying they had travelled a long distance," Parvaiz told investigators.

"I gave them water. After drinking, they told me that I would receive "sawaab" for giving water to men fighting in Allah's path and waging jihad for the freedom of Kashmiri Muslims. They were speaking Urdu with a Punjabi touch and didn't seem to be Kashmiris. I realised they were Mujahids," he added.

Pahalgam mastermind threatens Pak

Meanwhile, Lashkar-e-Taiba deputy chief Saifullah Qasoori has issued fresh remarks rejecting any recognition of Israel and framing Pakistan-Saudi defence ties as part of a broader Islamic front against the Jewish state.

In comments that have drawn concern among security observers, Qasoori warned against any Muslim ruler or country normalising relations with Israel, reiterating hardline positions on the issue.

Qasoori, who is described by Indian intelligence sources as the alleged mastermind of the Pahalgam terror attack, also linked regional geopolitical developments to what he termed resistance against Israel.