Updated April 27th 2025, 01:42 IST
Pahalgam: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has taken over the investigation of the Pahalgam terror attack, following a notification issued by the Home Ministry. As the Centre handed over the barbaric terror attack case to the NIA, the agency will now register a case and initiate a probe into the matter. The Jammu and Kashmir Police will also hand over the case diary and FIR related to the Pahalgam terror attack to the central investigating agency. The case was previously being probed by the Jammu and Kashmir Police to uncover the truth behind the brutal attack in Pahalgam that left 26 people dead, mostly tourists, and several others injured.
The team of NIA, earlier, reached the spot in Pahalgam, where the terror attack took place and inspected the crime scene. The Pahalgam terror attack, which occurred on April 22, saw the terrorists, who were later identified as Hashim Musa alias Sulaiman, Ali Bhai alias Talha Bhai, and Adil Hussain Thokar, targeted a group of tourists in the picturesque town of Pahalgam, known as mini-Switzerland. The attackers reportedly ascertained the religious identities of their victims before opening fire, leaving many innocent lives lost.
The officials stated that the NIA, which is known for its expertise in handling complex and sensitive cases, will now lead the investigation into the terror attack that shook the picturesque town of Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir.
The Pahalgam terror attack has sent shockwaves through the region, raising concerns about security and stability. The incident has been widely condemned, with authorities vowing to bring the perpetrators to justice. As the investigation progresses, the NIA will work closely with local authorities and security agencies to gather evidence and track down those responsible.
The security forces have been working tirelessly to identify and apprehend the terrorists responsible for the attack. The police have released sketches and identities of the terrorists involved, and a bounty of Rs 20 lakh has been announced on each of them.
The investigation into the attack has revealed that two of the terrorists, Hashim Musa alias Sulaiman and Ali Bhai alias Talha Bhai, are Pakistani nationals, while Adil Hussain Thokar is a local resident of Kashmir. This has raised concerns about the involvement of foreign terrorists in the region and the need for increased vigilance along the border.
In swift action against the terrorists, the Jammu and Kashmir administration has demolished the houses of seven terrorists across the Union Territory. This includes districts such as Pulwama, Shopian, Anantnag, Kulgam, and Kupwara. With the action to demolish the houses of the terrorists and their associates, the security forces are sending a strong message to those who support terrorism.
The security forces have also been working to tighten the security grid in the region, with a focus on preventing further terrorist attacks. The Indian Army has been engaged in intense operations against terrorists, and the recent action against the terrorists' houses is part of a larger strategy to eliminate terrorism in the region.
The Pahalgam terror attack has also led to a diplomatic fallout between India and Pakistan. The Indian government has tightened screws on Pakistan via diplomatic channels, and a Cabinet Committee for Security meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken bold decisions, including putting the Indus Waters Treaty at abeyance. The move has rattled Pakistan, which has threatened "an all-out war" against India.
Pakistani leaders, including Defence Minister Khawaja Asif and former Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, have made inflammatory statements, threatening India with war and bloodshed. However, Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri has dismissed these statements, saying that they should not be dignified with a response.
In response to the Pahalgam terror attack, the Central government decided to hold the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 in abeyance until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism. The decision to hold the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance is a major development, as it has massive implications for the water-sharing agreement between India and Pakistan. The treaty, signed in 1960, has been a cornerstone of India-Pakistan relations, but India's patience has been wearing thin due to Pakistan's alleged support for terrorism.
In addition to holding the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance, the Central government has also revoked all categories of visas issued to Pakistani citizens, except long-term visas, diplomatic and official visas, with immediate effect from April 27. The government's decision is seen as a big tightening of restrictions on Pakistani citizens and is likely to have a major impact on people-to-people relations between the two countries.
The revocation of visas is part of a broader crackdown on Pakistan's alleged support for terrorism, and is aimed at preventing Pakistani citizens from entering India and engaging in activities that could be detrimental to national security.
The security forces in Kashmir have launched a massive crackdown on terrorists and their sympathisers in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack. Houses of several terrorists or their associates have been demolished in the past 48 hours, with officials saying similar action will be taken against others involved in terror activities.
The crackdown has seen raids carried out at around 64 places in Srinagar, with security forces working to dismantle the terrorist ecosystem. In Anantnag district, search operations are being carried out round-the-clock, with mobile vehicle checkpoints put up across the district to monitor any suspicious movement.
The security forces are going after known terrorist associates and their sympathisers across the length and breadth of the Valley, with the aim of creating deterrence against any Pahalgam-like attacks. Hundreds of overground workers have been detained for questioning, and officials say that the crackdown will continue until terrorism is eliminated from the region.
Opposition parties have expressed their full support for the government in any action against perpetrators of the terror attack. The government has vowed to take severe action against those responsible for the attack, and the opposition's support will likely help to bolster the government's efforts.
The government's decision to hold the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance and revoke visas for Pakistani citizens is seen as a significant escalation in tensions between India and Pakistan. However, with the opposition's support, the government is likely to face little resistance to its actions.
Meanwhile, the NIA's takeover of the Pahalgam terror attack case is a big development in the investigation. The agency's expertise in handling terrorism cases will be crucial in uncovering the truth behind the attack and bringing the perpetrators to justice. The security forces have been working tirelessly to eliminate terrorism in the region.
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Published April 26th 2025, 22:50 IST