India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) has charged Pakistan-based militant groups Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and The Resistance Front (TRF), alongside six individuals, in connection with an April 2025 attack on Hindu tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, that resulted in 26 fatalities. This incident marked the deadliest attack on civilians in India since the 2008 Mumbai attacks.
The NIA filed a comprehensive 1,597-page charge sheet before a special court in Jammu, detailing the accused’s involvement in the attack. Notably, three Pakistani nationals Suleiman Shah, Hamza Afghani, and Jibran who were killed during an Indian security operation, were charged posthumously. Charges include waging war against India, a serious offense under Indian law.
The attack escalated tensions between India and Pakistan, with India accusing Pakistan of backing cross-border terrorism, a claim Pakistan denies. Following the incident, India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, expelled Pakistani diplomats, and closed borders. In retaliation, Pakistan suspended the Simla Agreement and restricted trade. This escalating conflict culminated in military action on May 7, 2025, when India conducted airstrikes targeting alleged terror camps in Pakistan, leading to a ceasefire on May 10, 2025.
The NIA’s investigation traced the planning to Pakistan, with digital evidence linking the operation to safe houses in Muzaffarabad and Karachi. Forensic evidence and intelligence intercepts suggested support from Pakistani operatives. Initially, TRF claimed responsibility for the attack, framing it in the context of Indian government policies regarding non-Kashmiri settlement in Kashmir. Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister labeled the attackers “freedom fighters,” further exacerbating tensions.
These formal charges underscore India’s resolve to combat cross-border terrorism and the broader regional security challenges inherent in the ongoing conflict in Jammu and Kashmir. The case continues to attract international attention.
Leave a comment