2 Held for Sheltering Pahalgam Attackers

NIA Said the Two Men Knew About Terror Links of the Attackers and Provided Them with Food, Shelter, Logistical Aid

- Neeraj Chauhan and Ashiq Hussain

NEW DELHI/SRINAGAR: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested two men for allegedly harboring the terrorists who killed 26 civilians in Pahalgam two months ago, the agency said on Sunday, marking the first set of arrests in connection with the terror attack.

In a statement, NIA said that Pahalgam residents Parvaiz Ahmad Jothar and Bashir Ahmad Jothar knew about the terror affiliations of the three gunmen and provided them with shelter, food and logistical support in the days leading up to the April 22 attack.

"Parvaiz and Bashir had knowingly harbored the three armed terrorists at a seasonal dhok (hut) at Hill Park before the attack. The two men had provided food, shelter and logistical support to the terrorists who selectively killed the tourists on the basis of their religious identity," the anti-terror agency said in a statement.