New Delhi: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has designated a special public prosecutor (SPP) to oversee the trial concerning the Pahalgam terror attack that occurred on April 22, as the National Investigation Agency (NIA) prepares to submit a charge sheet in the matter.
“…the Central government hereby appoints Shri Singh, advocate as Special Public Prosecutor for conducting trial and other matters related to NIA case No RC-02/2025/NIA/JMU, on behalf of the NIA, before the NIA special court, Jammu and High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh for a period of three years from the date of publication of this notification or till the completion of trial of the said case, whichever is earlier,” the MHA stated in a notification dated October 28.
HT reported on Thursday that the NIA is anticipated to file a charge sheet in the Pahalgam attack case shortly, identifying the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and two local individuals who aided the three Pakistani terrorists.
Officials who wished to remain anonymous indicated that the special public prosecutor will manage the trial in collaboration with the investigating officer.
On September 18, a court in Jammu granted a 45-day extension to the NIA to finalize its investigation into the April 22 terror attack at Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam, which resulted in 26 fatalities. This extended timeframe will conclude this week.
Sources familiar with the situation revealed that the federal agency is expected to include two local residents of Pahalgam, Bashir Ahmad Jothar and Parvez Ahmad Jothar, in its charge sheet, alongside three Pakistani terrorists: Suleiman Shah, Hamza Afghani alias Afghan, and Jibran.
Bashir and Parvez Jothar were apprehended on June 22, nearly two months following the Pahalgam attack, for providing shelter and assistance to the three Pakistani terrorists.
The three Pakistani terrorists, responsible for the deaths of 25 tourists and a pony operator in Pahalgam, were neutralized by security forces on July 28 in the Dachigam forest area. Union Home Minister Amit Shah confirmed in Parliament on July 29 that the terrorists were from Pakistan and affiliated with the LeT organization.
The NIA has interrogated more than 1,000 individuals as part of its investigation into the case, which includes tourists, owners of mules and ponies, photographers, employees, and shop workers.
