Pahalgam massacre could have been avoided if two Kashmiri locals had alerted authorities in time

Two Kashmiri locals arrested in connection with the April 22, 2025 Pahalgam terror attack are accused of sheltering the attackers and failing to inform authorities despite clear indications of an imminent strike, reports TOI. The attack left 26 civilians dead, most of them Hindus, who were targeted by the terrorists on the basis of their religion.

Investigations revealed that Parvaiz Ahmad and Bashir Ahmad Jothad had hosted three Pakistani terrorists a night before the incident and later spotted them hours before the attack but did not raise any alarm.

Shelter and prior contact with attackers

According to probe findings, the two men allowed the terrorists to stay at their homes on April 21, where they spent several hours, had meals and discussed plans, reports TOI. The attackers, identified as Faisal Jatt alias Suleman Shah, Habeeb Tahir alias Jibran and Hamza Afghani, were reportedly carrying weapons and speaking in an accented Urdu Punjabi mix. They also referred to an individual known as Ali Bhai, an alias linked to Sajid Jatt, a Lashkar-e-Taiba or The Resistance Front commander.


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Failure to alert despite spotting suspects

On the day of the attack, around 12.30 pm, the duo spotted the same terrorists hiding near a fence in Baisaran. Despite this, they neither informed the police nor alerted local stakeholders. Instead, they moved away from the area and continued their routine activities, including ferrying tourists.

Financial link and continued silence

Investigators told TOI the two had accepted ₹3,000 from the attackers in exchange for providing shelter and assistance. Even after the terrorists left their residence late on April 21, taking supplies such as food, blankets and utensils, the accused did not report the matter.

Aftermath and arrests

Following the attack, the two men reportedly abandoned their temporary shelters and went into hiding. They were later arrested by the National Investigation Agency on June 22, 2025, and chargesheeted in December along with the attackers and associated organisations.

Pakistan link traced

Sources told TOI further evidence of a Pakistan link emerged through a social media post traced to phone numbers in Bahawalpur and Rawalpindi, reinforcing the cross-border dimension of the conspiracy.

(With inputs TOI)