On June 22, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested two local residents from Pahalgam—Parvaiz Ahmad Jothar and Bashir Ahmad Jothar—for harbouring militants responsible for the April 22 terror attack that killed 26 people, including 25 tourists and a local pony owner.

During questioning, the duo reportedly revealed the identities of three armed Lashkar‑e‑Taiba terrorists—confirmed to be Pakistani nationals—whom they sheltered at a seasonal hut in Hill Park, supplying food, shelter, and logistical support for the premeditated ambush. The assailants selectively targeted civilians based on religious identity, making it one of the deadliest civilian attacks in Kashmir in recent years.

The arrests follow the NIA's takeover of the investigation and its broader probe into official, digital, and financial links—including suspected ISI/LeT involvement and surveillance intercepts across safe houses in Pakistan. Over 2,800 individuals have been questioned and approximately 150 suspects detained so far.