Pahalgam Terrorist Attack: NIA takes over probe after 26 killed, hunts key suspects trained in Pakistan

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has officially taken over the investigation into the Pahalgam terrorist attack, which claimed 26 lives on 22 April 2025. Acting on directives from the Ministry of Home Affairs, NIA teams, including forensic and investigation units, have been working at the attack site to gather critical evidence.The NIA is actively contacting survivors and eyewitnesses to collect testimonies that could help identify and track down the terrorists. Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Police, the Army, and paramilitary forces are conducting large-scale search operations across the dense forests of the Pir Panjal range using drones and UAVs.Initial findings suggest that five to seven terrorists were involved in the ambush, assisted by at least two local militants who received training in Pakistan. Key suspects have been identified as Adil Thokar from Bijbehara and Asif Sheikh from Tral. Thokar reportedly underwent arms training with the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba group after moving to Pakistan in 2018.In parallel, security forces have intensified action against terrorists by demolishing their houses, with six such demolitions already conducted. The aggressive crackdown has triggered panic among terror handlers across the border in Pakistan, leaving them in constant fear.