The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has appointed advocate Shri Singh as the Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) to conduct the trial in the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack case on behalf of the National Investigation Agency (NIA). The appointment was made as the NIA moves closer to filing a charge sheet in the matter.

The Pahalgam terror attack, which occurred on April 22, 2025, resulted in the death of 26 civilians, mostly tourists, and injuries to 16 others. The attack was perpetrated by three terrorists affiliated with the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). The terrorists, identified as Pakistani nationals Suleiman Shah alias Asif, Hamza Afghani alias Afghan, and Jibran, were later killed in an encounter with security forces during ‘Operation Mahadev’ in the Harwan forest area on July 28.

The NIA took over the investigation from the Jammu and Kashmir Police on April 27, 2025, under orders from the MHA, citing the case's national security implications. By the end of June 2025, the NIA had arrested two men for harboring the terrorists who carried out the attack.

As per the notification issued by the MHA, Shri Singh will represent the NIA before the NIA Special Court, Jammu, and the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh for a period of three years, or until the completion of the trial, whichever is earlier. The appointment has been made under sub-section (1) of Section 15 of the National Investigation Agency Act, 2008, read with sub-section (8) of Section 18 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023. The order authorizes the SPP to represent the NIA in case number RC-02/2025/NIA/JMU.

Following the attack, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) held a review meeting and approved several measures to strengthen counter-terror operations, including the launch of “Operation Sindoor,” aimed at dismantling terrorist infrastructure and cross-border networks.

Officials said the appointment is intended to ensure that the trial progresses efficiently and that the prosecution's case is presented effectively before the court. The appointment of a Special Public Prosecutor is expected to expedite the trial process and strengthen the prosecution's efforts in one of the key terror-related cases in Jammu and Kashmir. Shri Singh will represent the NIA before the NIA Special Court, Jammu, and the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh for three years or until the trial concludes.