Jammu: A special NIA court in Jammu has extended the custodial remand of two accused in the Pahalgam terror attack by 45 days, beyond the standard 90-day investigation period.
Special NIA Judge Sandeep Gandotra on September 18 granted the extension for Bashir Ahmad Jothat of Baisaran, Pahalgam, and Parvaiz Ahmad of Batkote, Pahalgam. The court cited the ongoing investigation, pending forensic and DNA reports, and the seriousness of the allegations as justification for the extension.
“Accordingly, a 45-day extension is granted to the investigating officer to complete the case beyond the initial 90-day period, with directions to expedite the investigation,” the court order stated. The judge noted that several witness statements and forensic reports were still awaited, including DNA profiling of the accused for comparison purposes.
The 90-day investigation period and an additional 10 days of judicial remand for the accused were set to expire on Friday. Following this, Bashir and Parvaiz were presented virtually before the court, which approved the extended custody to allow the NIA to continue its probe.
Public Prosecutor Chandan Kumar Singh, representing the NIA, had requested an extension from 90 to 180 days under UAPA provisions. He cited the need for completion of crucial evidence collection, including witness statements, forensic reports, DNA analysis of recovered blankets and shawls, and examination of mobile data linked to Pakistani numbers. Singh also noted that additional suspects and overground workers had emerged during the investigation, along with recoveries from a July 28 encounter in which three terrorists were killed.
“Some Pakistani numbers were found on the accused’s phones and need verification. Arms and ammunition recovered from the slain terrorists have been sent for forensic analysis, and DNA from blankets, shawls, and bedsheets seized from the accused is still under examination,” the prosecutor said.
The NIA case, re-registered after the April 22, 2025 attack at Baisaran meadow, Pahalgam, involves the killing of 26 tourists—mostly from a particular community—and injuries to 16 others. Bashir Ahmad Jothat and Parvaiz Ahmad, arrested on June 22, remain in judicial custody at Amphalla Jail, Jammu.
According to the agency, the accused revealed the identities of the three armed terrorists involved, confirming they were Pakistani nationals linked to the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). The NIA alleged that Bashir and Parvaiz had knowingly sheltered the terrorists at a seasonal hut in Hill Park, Pahalgam, prior to the deadly attack.
