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| Pahalgam Carnage: DNA clues may reveal deeper involvement of jailed brothers | | | Atul Sharma
Early Times Report
Jammu, Aug 12: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has collected blood and hair samples from two brothers, Parvaiz Ahmad Jothar and Bashir Ahmad Jothar, arrested in connection with the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, to determine whether they played a larger role than merely providing shelter to the assailants. The samples were taken from Amphalla Jail in Jammu, where the two are currently lodged. Sources said the DNA profiles will be matched with clothes, weapons, and other articles recovered from the three Pakistani terrorists — Suleiman Shah, Hamza Afghani alias Afghan, and Jibran — who carried out the massacre.
The trio had gunned down 25 tourists and a local pony operator at the Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam on April 22. All three were neutralized by security forces in an operation at Dachigam forest area on July 28. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, while addressing Parliament on July 29, confirmed that the terrorists were Pakistani nationals affiliated with Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).
Parvaiz and Bashir Jothar were arrested on June 22 for allegedly harbouring the terrorists in a seasonal dhok (hut) at Hill Park, a day before the deadly attack. “They provided food, shelter, and logistical support to the terrorists, who targeted tourists based on their religious identity,” the NIA had stated in a release issued in June.
Sources familiar with the probe said the DNA analysis aims to establish whether the two accused had any direct involvement in the attack or handled the terrorists’ belongings. The samples may also be matched with evidence collected from previous attacks to ascertain if the brothers assisted or sheltered other militants in the past.
As part of the ongoing investigation, the NIA has so far questioned over 1,050 individuals, including tourists, pony operators, photographers, shopkeepers, and hotel staff, recording more than 3,000 hours of testimony.
A senior official also revealed that the agency is currently analysing technical data retrieved from mobile and satellite phones recovered from the slain terrorists. "This data is expected to provide vital leads about the LeT handlers in Pakistan who orchestrated the Pahalgam attack," the official said. |
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