A prominent eyewitness of the Pahgam terror attack told the investigators that they had seen gunmen firing four rounds in the air in the “festival” after killing 26 civilians in Meadows on 22 April, by the Indian Express.
The “Star Protected Eyewitness”, which was tracked by the National Investigation Agency with the help of Jammu and Kashmir Police and Central Intelligence Agencies, was learned by three Pakistan-based militants in Besaran Meadow after the attack.
Last month, the NIA arrested two local people – Parviz Ahmed Jothar and Bashir Ahmed – for allegedly harassing the attackers. “He revealed the identity of three armed terrorists and confirmed that he was a Pakistani citizen who was associated with Lashkar-e-Toba,” said an NIA spokesman.
As the investigation proceeded, the NIA found a local – now Star Witness – which was capable of sharing the key details of transpreated in the following minutes of the attack. They have come to know that investigators were told that the gunmen stopped them, while they were leaving Basaron after the guns were fired to the citizens. A source said, “He was asked to recite Kalma, and once he started speaking in his local tone, he spared him. He started celebrating – four rounds were shot in the air,” a source said, who is familiar with his statement.
Based on their statement, the investigation team seized four used cartridges from the spot. The person has also come to know that he told the investigators that he saw Parviz and Bashir – both arrested local people – allegedly stood near a hill and taking care of the attackers’ belongings, which were eventually collected by gunmen.
Investigators have also questioned Parviz and Bashir in length, on the basis of which they now know what happened in the run-up for the attack.
“Parviz claimed that a day before the incident, the three attackers came to his house around 3:30 pm and asked for food. They were carrying weapons.
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Before leaving, the men asked Parviz’s wife to pack some spices and non -cooked rice, and gave five notes of 500 rupees to the family. “Later, he met Bashir. He (two locals) asked to reach Basaron by 12:30 pm on 22 April and left for a seasonal dhok (hut) in Hill Park,” the source said.
Sources said one of the attackers is considered Suleman Shah, who was involved in the murder of seven employees of a firm who built the Z-Morah tunnel on the Srinagar-Sonamarg highway on October 20 last year.
Ahmed Jothar (T) Nia arrested Bashir Ahmed (T) Star protected witness Pahgam (T) was spared by terrorists (T) cartridges. Terrorists (T) NIA Investigation Terror Attack (T) Jammu and Kashmir Terror Accident (T) Local Participation Pahgam Attack (T) Eye Witnesses Pahalgam Terror (T) NIA Central Intelligence (T) 22 April 22 22 22 22 22 22 Pahgam killings.
