ISI's Role in Pahalgam Terror Attack Exposed, NIA Report Links Lashkar-e-Taiba to Plot

By A Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI: A National Investigation Agency (NIA) report has revealed crucial details about the involvement of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) in the deadly Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people, primarily tourists, on April 22. According to NIA sources, the plot was developed within Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) under the direct orders of senior ISI operatives, with the conspiracy formalized at Lashkar's headquarters in Pakistan.

The two main terrorists involved, identified as Hashmi Musa (alias Suleman) and Ali Bhai (alias Talha Bhai), are confirmed Pakistani nationals. Investigations show that both terrorists maintained consistent communication with Pakistani handlers, who provided detailed instructions on logistics and execution.

The attack, which took place in the Baisaran Valley in Pahalgam, was meticulously planned, with the terrorists allegedly entering Indian territory weeks before the attack. They were reportedly assisted by a network of Over Ground Workers (OGWs), who provided logistical support, including shelter and reconnaissance.

Evidence Collection

The NIA's investigation has involved extensive forensic and electronic data gathering, including the recovery of over 40 cartridges from the crime scene, which are undergoing ballistic and chemical analysis. Investigators also mapped the attack site using 3D technology and analyzed data from nearby mobile towers. Satellite phone signals in the area spiked before the attack, and the NIA traced activity from at least three satellite phones, two of which have been identified.

The agency has also conducted numerous interrogations, with over 2,800 individuals questioned. More than 150 people remain in custody, including suspected OGWs and those linked to banned groups like Jamaat-e-Islami and various factions of the Hurriyat Conference. Raids have been carried out across districts including Kupwara, Pulwama, Sopore, Anantnag, and Baramulla, targeting individuals suspected of aiding terror operations.

Tech Surveillance & Eyewitness Accounts

To reconstruct the timeline of the attack, the NIA has retrieved CCTV footage from public areas around Pahalgam. They are also analyzing data from nearby security checkpoints. Eyewitnesses, including local vendors and families of the victims, have provided testimonies, describing attackers with body-mounted cameras, suggesting the possibility of recording the incident for propaganda.

Previous Attack Connection

The NIA also established links between the Pahalgam attack and a previous incident in 2024 near the Z-Morh tunnel in Sonamarg, where seven people were killed. Operatives from the same LeT-backed unit are believed to have carried out both attacks. One operative, Junaid Ahmed Bhatt, was neutralized in an encounter in December 2024, and Hashim Musa is suspected of involvement in both incidents.