The recent arrest follows a detailed forensic analysis of weapons and equipment seized during Operation Mahadev, carried out in July. During this operation, security forces neutralised three terrorists responsible for the deaths of 26 civilians in Pahalgam, according to IANS reports.
Earlier, the National Investigation Agency (NIA), which is also probing the case, had arrested Parvaiz Ahmad Jothar from Batkote and Bashir Ahmad Jothar from Hill Park, Pahalgam. Both men allegedly provided shelter and food to the terrorists and revealed their identities during interrogation, as per IANS.
In a separate development, the NIA detained an individual from Handwara as part of its investigation into the funding of the attack. The probe has expanded significantly, with the agency scrutinising 450 phone numbers. Many of these numbers are linked to 80 ongoing cases under investigation since 2011.
Investigations have revealed that Yasir Hayat was in contact with Sajad Ahmed Mir, a suspected Pakistani handler based in Malaysia, along with two other Pakistani nationals. Mir reportedly instructed Hayat to transfer Rs 2 lakh to Shafat Wani, a known operative. In total, Wani is believed to have received Rs 9 lakh, funds that were used to finance terror operations.
The NIA further stated that it traced a foreign funding trail connected to accounts in Malaysia. This trail is part of a complex international network used to fund terrorist activities. The funds were channelled to The Resistance Front (TRF), a Lashkar-e-Taiba proxy created by Pakistan’s ISI to promote the narrative that the Kashmir militancy is an indigenous movement.
The creation of TRF also provides plausible deniability to both Pakistan and Lashkar-e-Taiba for attacks carried out on Indian soil.
Indian intelligence agencies, the Jammu & Kashmir Police, and the NIA are jointly compiling a comprehensive dossier on TRF. This dossier will include detailed information on the group’s funding mechanisms, recruitment, radicalisation, and training operations.
This dossier is expected to play a crucial role in India’s diplomatic efforts to hold Pakistan accountable at the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). India aims to push for Pakistan’s return to the Grey List, citing its continued support for terror financing through proxy outfits like TRF.
(With inputs from IANS)
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