In a significant development in the investigation of the Pahalgam terror attack that occurred on April 22, 2025, the Jammu and Kashmir Police have apprehended an individual accused of providing logistical assistance to the terrorists involved. The arrested man has been identified as Mohammad Yousuf Kataria, a 26-year-old resident of Kulgam.
The arrest of Kataria is a result of the forensic analysis of weapons and equipment recovered during Operation Mahadev in July. Sources indicate that Kataria provided crucial logistical support to the terrorists responsible for the attack.
The Pahalgam attack, which resulted in the deaths of 26 civilians, prompted a thorough investigation by law enforcement agencies. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) also took over the case and has been actively pursuing leads to uncover the full extent of the conspiracy.
In a related development, a special NIA court in Jammu recently extended the custodial remand of two other accused individuals, Bashir Ahmad Jothat and Parvaiz Ahmad, who are accused of harboring the Pakistani terrorists involved in the Pahalgam attack. The court granted a 45-day extension, exceeding the initial 90-day period, to allow the NIA more time to complete its investigation. The NIA has stated that critical evidence is still pending, including the analysis of mobile phone data linked to Pakistani numbers, forensic reports, and DNA profiling of seized materials.
The NIA's investigation revealed that the accused, Bashir Ahmad Jothat and Parvaiz Ahmad, disclosed the identities of the three armed terrorists involved in the attack and confirmed their affiliation with Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), a banned terrorist organization.
The arrest of Mohammad Kataria marks a crucial step forward in the Pahalgam attack case, demonstrating the commitment of law enforcement agencies to bring all those involved to justice. The ongoing investigation and judicial proceedings underscore the gravity of the crime and the determination to ensure that the perpetrators are held accountable for their actions.
