A special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court in Jammu has granted investigators an additional 45 days to keep two suspects in custody related to the Pahalgam terror attack, extending their remand beyond the usual 90-day limit.
On September 18, Special Judge Sandeep Gandotra approved the NIA’s request to continue its investigation against Bashir Ahmad Jothat, a resident of Baisaran in Pahalgam, and Parvaiz Ahmad from Batkote. Both men were arrested in June for allegedly providing shelter to Pakistani militants who executed the attack on April 22. Investigators contend that they housed the attackers in a seasonal hut, referred to as a “dhok,” in Hill Park, Pahalgam.
The judge ruled that there was sufficient evidence to justify the extension, pointing to pending forensic tests and DNA profiling. The court’s order noted: “Accordingly, the extension for a period of 45 days is given to the investigating officer for the investigation of the case beyond the period of 90 days in favor of accused Bashir Ahmad Jothat and Parvaiz Ahmad with direction to complete the investigation of the case as soon as possible,” as reported by PTI.
The initial remand period, which included 10 days of judicial custody, was set to expire on Friday. The accused were presented virtually before the court, which approved the custody extension. The judge characterized the NIA’s plea for additional time as “well-founded” and deserving of acceptance, given the case’s critical juncture. Witness statements, DNA analysis, and forensic reports are still awaited, the court noted.
“The report of DNA profiling of accused persons for comparison is also awaited. A prima facie case is made out for extension of remand and detention of accused beyond the stipulated period of 90 days,” the judge stated.
Public prosecutor Chandan Kumar Singh, representing the NIA, requested an extension of custody from 90 to 180 days under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). He emphasized that crucial evidence remains incomplete, including mobile phone data linked to Pakistani numbers and forensic tests of blankets and shawls allegedly used by the militants.
“Some Pakistani numbers have been recovered from the mobile phones of the accused, and their details have to be verified. Three terrorists have been killed, and recoveries from them have been sent to NFSU Gandhinagar; the report of which is still awaited. Additionally, arms and ammunition recovered from the slain terrorists in an encounter on July 28 are also pending FSL report,” Singh informed the court.
He added that items such as blankets, shawls, and bedsheets, obtained with the help of the accused, have been submitted to the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) in Chandigarh for DNA testing to match them with the deceased terrorists. “The report of the same is still awaited,” he concluded.
The NIA has re-registered the case concerning the attack that resulted in the deaths of 26 tourists and injuries to 16 others at Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam on April 22. According to the agency, the accused have disclosed that the attackers were Pakistani nationals affiliated with the militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba.
