Pakistan’s ISI played ‘key role’ in Pahalgam attack, says NDTV

Indian news outlet NDTV reports that the preliminary report of the Indian National Investigation Agency (NIA) points to connections between the Pakistan Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba in the attack in India’s Pahalgam that killed 26.

NIA sources told NDTV that the attack organised by Lashkar-e-Taiba was carried out “allegedly under directives by senior ISI operatives”.

“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 Pakistan-based handlers, receiving specific instructions on timing, logistics, and execution,” the outlet said in a report on Friday.

“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 report says that NIA had conducted “extensive” forensic and electronic data gathering, as well as sending 40 cartridges recovered at the scene for analysis, 3D mapping the attack site, and extracting dumped data from mobile towers around the area.

The NIA and security agencies have reportedly questioned over 2,800 individuals with more than 150 persons still in custody as of Friday for further investigation.

The detainees are reported to include suspected OGWs and individuals with links to Jamaat-e-Islami and factions of the Hurriyat Conference.

Law enforcers conducted raids in multiple districts, including Kupwara, Pulwama, Sopore, Anantnag, and Baramulla and several residences were searched. The NIA also retrieved CCTV footage from key transit and public areas around Pahalgam to attempt to trace the attackers' movement.

NDTV says the NIA has also established connections between the Pahalgam killings and a prior terror attack in 2024 near the Z-Morh tunnel in Sonamarg, Ganderbal district, in which seven individuals, including six labourers and a doctor, were killed.

“Operatives from the same Lashkar-e-Taiba-backed unit are believed to have executed both attacks. One identified operative, Junaid Ahmed Bhatt, was neutralised in an encounter in December 2024. Another suspect, now identified as Hashim Musa, had reportedly participated in both attacks,” its report said.

Sources told NDTV the attackers arrived in Pahalgam around Apr 15, a week before the attack and carried out detailed reconnaissance before choosing the scene of the attack due to looser security.

“The attackers spent at least two days surveying tourist movements in Baisaran, with assistance from four key OGWs,” the report said.