India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) announced on Sunday the arrest of two men in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) for allegedly providing support to gunmen behind a deadly attack that escalated tensions with Pakistan.
According to the NIA, the suspects are residents of Pahalgam, the same area where 26 civilians were killed in April. The agency claimed the two provided food, shelter, and logistical support to the attackers who targeted victims based on their religious identity.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Parvaiz Ahmad Jothar and Bashir Ahmad Jothar. The NIA said both suspects disclosed the identities of three armed men allegedly involved in the killings.
India has accused Pakistan of backing the attackers but has not publicly shared any evidence. Pakistan has rejected the allegation.
The April 22 attack led to a sharp escalation in hostilities, with both sides engaging in cross-border missile, drone, and artillery strikes. Over four days, more than 70 people were killed on both sides of the border.
In the immediate aftermath, New Delhi conducted airstrikes inside Pakistani territory. Pakistan responded with Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos. The fighting ended on May 10 after a ceasefire agreement was brokered by the United States.
