New Delhi (TIP) – The anti-terror body National Investigation Agency’s (NIA) preliminary report on the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam’s Baisaran Valley points to an operational nexus between Pakistan’s intelligence agency, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), and the terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), sources have said.
According to NIA sources, the conspiracy behind the terror attack that killed 26 people, primarily tourists, was developed within LeT, allegedly under directives issued by senior ISI operatives. The plan is believed to have been formalised at Lashkar’s headquarters in Pakistan.
Two terrorists central to the attack, identified as Hashmi Musa (alias Suleman) and Ali Bhai (alias Talha Bhai), are confirmed Pakistani nationals. Interrogations of detained operatives indicate that both attackers maintained consistent communication with Pakistani-based handlers, receiving specific instructions on timing, logistics, and execution. The terrorists allegedly entered Indian territory weeks before the attack and were aided by a network of Over Ground Workers (OGWs) who provided local logistical support, including shelter, navigation, and reconnaissance.
The NIA has conducted extensive forensic and electronic data gathering. Over 40 cartridges recovered from the crime scene have been sent for ballistic and chemical analysis. Investigators also performed 3D mapping of the attack site and extracted dump data from mobile towers around the valley.
Satellite phone activity in the region spiked in the days leading up to the attack. At least three satellite phones were operational in and around Baisaran, and signals from two have been traced and analysed. In total, over 2,800 individuals have been questioned by the NIA and security agencies. As of May 2, more than 150 persons remain in custody for further interrogation. These include both suspected OGWs and individuals with links to banned groups like Jamaat-e-Islami and various factions of the Hurriyat Conference.
Portals of Himalayan temple Kedarnath open for devotees
The portals of Himalayan temple Kedarnath were opened on Friday, May 2, with more than 12,000 pilgrims attending the ceremony.
The gates of the temple located at a height of more than 11,000 ft were opened at 7 am, Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee officials said. The Himalayan temple was adorned with 108 quintals of flowers of 54 varieties, including rose and marigold, brought from different countries like Nepal, Thailand and Sri Lanka. Of the four Char Dham temples Kedarnath, which is also the 11th Jyotirlinga, attracts the largest number of devotees. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is the third temple in the Char Dham circuit to be opened after the winter break. Gangotri and Yamunotri temples were opened on April 30 and Badrinath will open on May 4. The process of opening the gates of Kedarnath began at 5 am, BKTC media in-charge Harish Gaur said.
CM Pushkar Singh Dhami attended the opening ceremony and was the first to perform a puja at the temple after the opening of its gates praying for the well-being and prosperity of all.
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