The Jammu and Kashmir Police have detained a local resident, Muhammad Yousuf Katari, 26, from Kulgam, on charges of providing logistical assistance to the terrorists responsible for the Pahalgam attack on April 22. This incident led to the deaths of 26 civilians and was claimed by The Resistance Front, a proxy group associated with the banned Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). The arrest of Katari is regarded as a crucial development that could reveal additional information about the attack and the network supporting it.
Officials reported that Katari played a role in supplying equipment and other logistical aid to the attackers. They suspect that he may have facilitated shelter, transportation, and reconnaissance for the assailants prior to their arrival at the Baisaran meadow, the site of the assault. With Katari now in custody, security agencies are focused on reconstructing the escape route used by the attackers and possibly identifying a broader network of collaborators.
The Pahalgam assault was executed by three militants who targeted tourists based on their religion, resulting in the fatalities of 26 individuals, including a local Muslim pony operator who tried to shield the tourists. The assailants were subsequently eliminated during Operation Mahadev on July 28, 2025. Additionally, two other individuals, Parvaiz Ahmad Jothar and Bashir Ahmad Jothar, residents of Pahalgam, have also been accused of aiding the terrorists.
This situation has raised hopes that ongoing investigations will lead to further arrests and possibly dismantle the entire network involved in the attack. The incident has received widespread condemnation, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi promising to hold those responsible accountable. The attack has also heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, sparking allegations of state-sponsored terrorism and calls for decisive measures against terrorist organizations.
