An investigation into the recent attack in Pahalgam has identified fifteen local Kashmiri overground workers (OGWs) as potential facilitators. These individuals are suspected of assisting the Pakistani assailants involved in the incident . Based on electronic surveillance, authorities believe the OGWs may have provided logistical support and possibly received arms shipments from Pakistan. A multi-agency probe has zeroed in on five prime suspects, three of whom have been while police are searching for two others. More than 200 OGWs have been detained for questioning to trace the events leading up to the April 22 incident.
Probe Agencies Identify 15 Local Kashmiris Who Helped Terrorists
Why In News
- An investigation into the recent attack in Pahalgam has identified fifteen local Kashmiri overground workers (OGWs) as potential facilitators. These individuals are suspected of assisting the Pakistani assailants involved in the incident.
- Based on electronic surveillance, authorities believe the OGWs may have provided logistical support and possibly received arms shipments from Pakistan. A multi-agency probe has zeroed in on five prime suspects, three of whom have been while police are searching for two others. More than 200 OGWs have been detained for questioning to trace the events leading up to the April 22 incident.
Probe Focuses On Five Prime Suspects
- Sources said all five prime suspects were in the vicinity on the day of the strike and earlier, with their mobile phones active in the area. Electronic surveillance intercepted a chat where the three detained suspects discussed Pakistani terrorists in Pahalgam and how to “help” them.
- “There is enough circumstantial evidence pointing to their role as facilitators and in arranging logistics for the Pahalgam attack team, which comprised 4-5 terrorists, .. of whom at least two were Pakistanis and two local Kashmiris. We are trying to get more details out of the 15 detained OGWs to piece together the conspiracy, before taking a call on their likely arrest,” said an officer.
Extensive Questioning Underway
- A joint interrogation team, including officials from the National Investigation Agency (NIA), Jammu & Kashmir Police, Intelligence Bureau, and Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), is questioning 10 other OGWs. These individuals have been linked to previous assistance to Pakistani terrorists and were present near the attack site.
- “Around 20-25 OGWs are detained for questioning. These are OGWs known to be in touch with, shelter and act as ‘guides’ to Pakist ..
- Pakistani terrorists. We are sifting through OGW database, having questioned over 1,500 of them, and have now zeroed in on 15 likely suspects. At the same time, other OGWs active in south Kashmir are being questioned to fill us in on the identity of Pakistani terrorists seen in the area and their possible hideouts,” said an officer.
Search Operations Intensify In Pahalgam Forests
- Security personnel have intensified the combing operations in the forests surrounding Baisaran to locate the attackers. Since searches in nearby towns and districts have yielded no leads, authorities suspect that the terrorists may still be hiding in the dense forests connected to the meadow.
