‘Pahalgam Attack Was Planned Four Years in Advance’: NIA Chargesheet Reveals Details of Terror Conspiracy

Srinagar (Jammu & Kashmir), 1st June 2026: The terror attack in Pahalgam was not a spontaneous act but the result of a conspiracy allegedly planned years in advance, according to the chargesheet filed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

The 26-page chargesheet states that the conspiracy dates back to 2021, when The Resistance Front (TRF), described by investigators as a proxy outfit of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), allegedly began planning attacks in the Kashmir Valley with the objective of disrupting the political process and creating widespread fear.

According to the NIA, the group operated under the direction of Pakistan-based handlers, who allegedly recruited local operatives and Over Ground Workers (OGWs) to assist in the plot. These operatives were tasked with conducting reconnaissance of tourist destinations, gathering intelligence, and identifying locations where an attack could inflict maximum casualties and damage Kashmir’s tourism-dependent economy.

Unusual Details Emerge During Investigation

The chargesheet also contains several unusual details uncovered during the investigation. According to the NIA, one of the accused who had allegedly entered India from Pakistan to carry out terrorist activities was reportedly preoccupied with personal concerns, including hair loss, which investigators noted during the course of their inquiry.

Three Key Accused Killed in Encounters

The NIA chargesheet names three key accused — Sulthan, Hashim Musa alias Suleman, and Adil Hussain Thokar. According to investigators, all three were later killed in separate security operations. Two were killed in Anantnag in 2021, while another was killed in Kulgam in 2023. The agency stated that the accused had been active in militant activities in the Valley for several years.

Mobile Tracking Through IMEI Numbers

Investigators reportedly relied on International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers to track the movements and communications of the accused. Even after SIM cards were changed, the devices were traced using their unique IMEI identifiers.

The NIA stated that a mobile phone recovered in 2021 provided critical leads and helped investigators establish digital and physical links between the accused and the planning and execution of the attack.

Bank Account Opened Years Before Attack

According to the chargesheet, a Pakistani handler allegedly instructed one of the accused to open a bank account to facilitate the transfer of funds. Investigators found that the account had been opened in 2021, years before the attack, suggesting long-term financial planning.

The account reportedly became active in 2025 and was allegedly used to channel funds to operatives involved in the conspiracy.

Dual Phones Used to Avoid Detection

The NIA alleges that the accused used two separate mobile phones — one for routine personal communication and another exclusively for terror-related activities. Investigators believe this was intended to avoid surveillance and detection by security agencies.

Despite these measures, the agency claims it was able to reconstruct the communication network. On December 12, 2023, investigators reportedly linked one of the phones to a Lashkar-e-Taiba-affiliated operative, leading to further breakthroughs in the case.

Attackers Trained Abroad

The chargesheet further alleges that the attackers were trained outside India, most likely in Pakistan, and were equipped with long-range rifles. Each member of the group was assigned a specific role and received training in weapons handling, navigation, and methods of evading security forces.

Investigators also claim that extensive reconnaissance of the Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam was conducted before the attack. The location was allegedly selected because it attracted large numbers of tourists and offered the attackers an opportunity to inflict significant casualties.

According to the NIA, the evidence collected during the investigation points to a long-term conspiracy orchestrated by Pakistan-based handlers, with the objective of spreading terror and undermining peace and economic activity in Jammu and Kashmir by targeting tourists.