Eyewitness Recounts Killers' "Celebration" After Pahalgam Attack
A key eyewitness to the horrific April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam has provided investigators with a chilling account, stating that the gunmen fired four rounds into the air in "celebration" after murdering 26 civilians in the Baisaran valley. This testimony offers a grim insight into the brutality of the attack, which was the first major assault on civilians in Kashmir since 2019.
A Harrowing Encounter
The witness, who was tracked down by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) with help from local police, reportedly told investigators that the gunmen confronted him as they were leaving the scene of the massacre. He was ordered to recite the Kalma, a declaration of faith, and was spared only after the attackers recognized his local accent. It was immediately after this encounter that he witnessed the celebratory gunfire.
Investigation Gains Momentum
This crucial testimony has strengthened the ongoing investigation, which has already led to significant breakthroughs. Last month, the NIA arrested two local men, Parvaiz Ahmad Jothar and Bashir Ahmad Jothar, for allegedly harbouring the three Pakistan-based terrorists who carried out the killings. According to the NIA, the duo provided food, shelter, and logistical support to the attackers at a seasonal hut in the days leading up to the attack. The eyewitness also reportedly saw the two men looking after the gunmen's belongings near the attack site.
The Terror Cell and Retaliation
Investigators have identified the perpetrators as being affiliated with the Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). The suspects include three Pakistani nationals—Hashim Musa, Ali Bhai, and Asif Fauji—and one local militant, Abid Hussain Thoker. The attack prompted the Indian military to launch "Operation Sindoor" on May 7, a mission aimed at targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and PoK in retaliation.
The eyewitness account has provided a harrowing, firsthand perspective on the cold-blooded nature of the attackers but has also been instrumental in corroborating evidence against the local support network. The arrests mark a critical step in the NIA's efforts to dismantle the entire cell responsible for one of the region's most gruesome terrorist acts.
