Major Breakthrough in Pahalgam Terror Attack: NIA Arrests Videographer Who Captured Entire Assault
Exclusive footage may hold the key to identifying the militants and their network.
New Twist in Pahalgam Attack Probe
The investigation into the brutal terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, has taken a dramatic turn. News18 has learned that a local videographer, who was filming tourist reels at the Baisaran Valley during the assault, has now become a crucial witness for the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
Videographer Captured the Attack Live
Sources reveal that the young local was recording tourist videos when the attack began. Instead of fleeing, he climbed a tree to save himself but bravely continued filming the terrorists’ actions.
A senior officer confirmed, “Despite the chaos and life-threatening danger, he managed to document the attack. His footage could prove vital for identifying the attackers and their overground workers (OGWs).”
The NIA has interrogated the videographer, and his captured footage is now under forensic examination.
Chilling Eyewitness Accounts Emerge
Preliminary investigations show that four terrorists had strategically positioned themselves on both sides of a grassy field. According to eyewitnesses, two attackers were hiding behind local snack stalls.
Around 2:30 PM, they emerged, asking tourists about their religion and, horrifyingly, demanding them to recite the Kalma (Islamic creed). Those who couldn’t were shot dead on the spot.
A senior investigator stated, “Every tourist targeted was shot directly in the head, indicating the attack was premeditated, not random.”
Aftermath: Looted Phones and Spent Cartridges
The militants looted two mobile phones—one from a tourist and one from a local. Both devices were found switched off, but agencies are attempting to extract clues about the attackers’ movements and network.
NIA officials also recovered spent cartridges of AK-47 and M4 rifles from the scene. The use of M4 rifles—a signature weapon among Pakistani-backed militants—strongly points towards cross-border involvement.
Key Suspect Linked to Pakistan
The investigation identified one key terrorist: Adil Thokar. A former Hizbul Mujahideen operative from 2018, Thokar later traveled to Pakistan on legal documents, joined Lashkar-e-Taiba, and returned to Kashmir in 2024.
He is accused of offering logistical support and acting as a guide for Pakistani militants involved in the massacre.
