A special NIA court in Jammu has extended by 45 days — beyond the stipulated 90-day period — the custodial remand of two accused arrested for allegedly harbouring Pakistani terrorists involved in the deadly Pahalgam terror attack in April.

Special NIA judge Sandeep Gandotra extended the investigation and remand period of Bashir Ahmad Jothat, who hails from Baisaran in Pahalgam, and Parvaiz Ahmad from Batkote in Pahalgam. The court held a prima facie case in favour of the extension of the remand and investigation, citing the allegations, progress of investigation, and pending forensic and DNA profiling reports.

Accordingly, the court granted a 45-day extension to the investigating officer for the investigation of the case beyond the initial 90-day period, applicable to accused Jothat and Ahmad. The order directed the authorities to complete the investigation as soon as possible and urged the investigating officer to expedite the probe.

The original 90-day remand period for investigation, along with an additional 10 days of judicial remand, was due to expire on Friday. After the expiry of the earlier remand, Jothat and Ahmad were produced virtually before the court on September 18, which then extended their investigation and remand period to enable the NIA to continue its probe, officials confirmed.

The judge observed that the plea for a 90-day extension of the investigation was well-founded and deserving of acceptance, especially as the probe had reached a crucial stage. Several witness statements and forensic reports were still pending, which warranted the extension.

The case, re-registered by the NIA, pertains to the killing of tourists from a particular community at Baisaran meadow, Pahalgam, on April 22, 2025. The accused, Jothat and Ahmad, were arrested on June 22 and have since been held in judicial custody at Amphalla Jail in Jammu.

According to the NIA, the accused disclosed the identities of three armed terrorists involved in the attack, confirming that they were Pakistani nationals affiliated with the banned terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). The federal agency alleged that both accused had knowingly harboured these terrorists at a seasonal dhok (hut) in Hill Park, Pahalgam, prior to the April 22 attack that claimed 26 lives, mostly tourists, and left 16 others injured.

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