NIA takes over Pahalgam terrorist attack case from J-K Police, begins investigation

New Delhi, April 27, 2025 (ANI): The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has taken over the Pahalgam terror attack case from Jammu and Kashmir Police and began its investigation in the deadly attack resulted into killing of 26 tourists, top sources told ANI. The Central anti-terror agency formally registered a fresh First Information Report (FIR) on Saturday following an order issued from Counter Terrorism and Counter Radicalisation (CTCR) division of the Ministry of Home Affairs considering the gravity of the case as Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba's proxy, the Resistance Front (TRF), has claimed responsibility for the attack.The NIA took over the case five days after the incident and four days after it's team National Investigation Agency (NIA) team visited the attack site and started supporting the Jammu and Kashmir Police in probing what is considered the deadliest assault on civilians in the region in almost twenty years. The NIA team-led by a Deputy Inspector General-rank officer had visited Baisaran on April 23-- day after terrorist gunned down a group of tourists in the picturesque meadow which is located around five kilometres from Pahalgam town in Kashmir's Anantnag district.Official sources, privy to the development, told ANI that "the NIA has formally taken over the case from the Jammu and Kashmir Police and stated its investigation." NIA's investigation in the case is significant as 26 tourists, including one Nepali citizen, have lost their lives and over three dozen were injured at Baisaran meadow, near the popular tourist town of Pahalgam, with clear hand of three Pakistani terrorists and two local terrorists. The NIA team is expected to conduct a thorough assessment of the attack site, collect forensic evidence, and help in identifying those responsible for the carnage.