JAMMU: A special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court in Jammu has extended by 45 days the custodial remand of two individuals arrested for allegedly harboring Pakistani terrorists involved in the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. Special judge Sandeep Gandotra made the ruling on Thursday, extending the remand of Bashir Ahmad Jothat and Parvaiz Ahmad, both local residents whose remand was set to expire on September 19.
The prosecution, represented by public prosecutor Chandan Kumar Singh, argued that the investigation is at a critical juncture, with numerous witness statements yet to be recorded. The NIA stated that they are still waiting for vital evidence, including mobile phone data analysis connected to Pakistani numbers, forensic reports from the Central Forensic Science Laboratory in Chandigarh and the National Forensic Sciences University in Gandhinagar, as well as DNA profiling of items collected from the scene.
Both men were arrested on June 22 and have since been held in judicial custody at Amphalla district jail in Jammu. The defense counsel, Ashwani Kumar, opposed the remand extension, arguing that the accused have been in custody for over two months without conclusive evidence and that the investigation should have been completed within the previous time frame.
In denying the defense’s request, the court highlighted the serious nature of the charges, which are closely tied to national security. The judge instructed the investigating officer to expedite the probe.
In a separate case, the same court dismissed the bail application of Tanveer Ahmed Wani, a former leader of the Line of Control (LoC) Traders Association, who is accused of facilitating funds from Pakistan to bolster the operations of the Hizbul Mujahideen. Wani, arrested in February 2020, is alleged to have closely collaborated with Pakistan-based Hizbul leaders and was involved in delivering cash to terrorists, as well as facilitating meetings and maintaining a network to finance terrorist activities.
In his ruling, Judge Gandotra noted the serious nature of the accusations against Wani, which are also linked to national security concerns, thereby denying bail due to the gravity of the charges under the Indian Penal Code and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
