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NIA files charges against militant groups over April massacre
India's National Investigation Agency (NIA) has formally accused two Pakistan-based militant organizations and six individuals of orchestrating the April attack in Indian-administered Kashmir that killed 26 people, including 25 Hindu tourists.
Key accused and charges
The 1,597-page chargesheet, submitted Monday in a special court in Jammu, names Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), a UN-designated terror group, and The Resistance Front (TRF) as the masterminds behind the assault. Both groups are accused of "planning, facilitating, and executing" the attack.
Six individuals are also named in the chargesheet: three militants killed by security forces shortly after the attack, a suspected Pakistani handler identified as Sajid Jatt, and two other men in NIA custody since June. The agency stated that the two detained suspects revealed the identities of the three attackers during interrogation, confirming their affiliation with LeT.
The accused face charges under India's anti-terror laws and criminal code, including waging war against the country.
Pakistan's response and initial claims
Pakistan's government has not yet responded to the charges. The TRF initially claimed responsibility for the attack but later retracted its statement. India has consistently blamed Pakistan for the violence, an accusation Islamabad denies.
Escalation and diplomatic fallout
The April 22 attack in Pahalgam's Baisaran meadow-where militants targeted Hindu tourists-marked one of the deadliest incidents in Kashmir since 2019. The massacre triggered a rapid deterioration in India-Pakistan relations, with both nations suspending key agreements.
India revoked the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, while Pakistan withdrew from the 1972 Simla Agreement on bilateral dispute resolution. The tensions culminated in a four-day exchange of missile and drone strikes before a fragile ceasefire was established.
Investigation findings and ongoing probe
The NIA's eight-month investigation traced the conspiracy to Pakistan, according to an agency statement. Further inquiries are underway, though no additional details have been disclosed.
Kashmir remains a long-standing flashpoint between the nuclear-armed neighbors, who have fought two wars over the disputed region and continue to administer separate portions of it.
