The arrest follows forensic analysis of weapons and equipment seized during Operation Mahadev, conducted in July, during which security forces neutralised three terrorists who were responsible for the deaths of 26 civilians in Pahalgam
The Jammu and Kashmir Police have arrested the suspect, sources said. Representational Pic/File
In a significant development, man who allegedly provided logistical support to terrorists involved in Pahalgam terror attack was held in Jammu and Kashmir, officials said on Wednesday, reported the IANS.
Sources said that the Jammu and Kashmir Police have arrested Mohammad Kataria, accused of providing logistical assistance to the terrorists responsible for the deadly Pahalgam attack on April 22.
The arrest follows forensic analysis of weapons and equipment seized during Operation Mahadev, conducted in July, during which security forces neutralised three terrorists who were responsible for the deaths of 26 civilians in Pahalgam, as per the IANS.
Earlier, the National Investigation Agency (NIA), which is also probing the case, had earlier arrested Parvaiz Ahmad Jothar from Batkote and Bashir Ahmad Jothar from Hill Park, Pahalgam, according to the IANS.
Both men allegedly provided shelter and food to the terrorists and revealed their identities during interrogation.
In a separate development, the NIA also detained an individual from Handwara as part of its investigation into the funding of the attack.
The probe has widened significantly, with the NIA scrutinising 450 phone numbers, many of which are linked to 80 ongoing cases under investigation by the agency since 2011.
Investigations revealed that Yasir Hayat had been in contact with Sajad Ahmed Mir, a suspected Pakistani handler based in Malaysia, along with two other Pakistan nationals. Mir reportedly instructed Hayat to transfer Rs 2 lakh to Shafat Wani, a known operative.
In total, Wani is believed to have received Rs 9 lakh, which was used to finance terror operations.
The NIA stated that it had traced a foreign funding trail connected to accounts in Malaysia, part of a complex international network used to fund terrorist activities.
These funds were being channelled to The Resistance Front (TRF), a Lashkar-e-Taiba proxy created by Pakistan’s ISI to promote the narrative that the Kashmir militancy is an indigenous movement. The creation of TRF also offers plausible deniability to both Pakistan and Lashkar-e-Taiba for attacks carried out on Indian soil.
Indian intelligence agencies, the J&K Police, and the NIA are jointly compiling a comprehensive dossier on TRF. This will include details on its funding mechanisms, recruitment, radicalisation, and training operations.
The dossier will play a crucial role in India’s diplomatic efforts to hold Pakistan accountable at the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). India intends to push for Pakistan’s return to the Grey List, citing its continued support for terror financing through proxy outfits like TRF.
(with IANS inputs)
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