MHA Appoints Shri Singh as Special Public Prosecutor in Pahalgam Terror Attack Case

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has appointed advocate Shri Singh as the Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) to lead the trial in the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack case, as the National Investigation Agency (NIA) prepares to file its charge sheet.

According to the official notification, “the Central government hereby appoints Shri Singh, advocate, as Special Public Prosecutor for conducting trial and other matters related to NIA case No. RC-02/2025/NIA/JMU, on behalf of the NIA, before the NIA Special Court, Jammu, and the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh for a period of three years from the date of publication of this notification or till the completion of the trial, whichever is earlier.”

An official familiar with the development said the SPP will coordinate closely with the investigating officer during the trial proceedings.

NIA Nears Completion of Investigation

As reported by Hindustan Times earlier this week, the NIA is finalizing its charge sheet in the case, which will name Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) as the main accused.

On September 18, a Jammu court granted the NIA a 45-day extension to complete its investigation, a deadline that expires this week.

Two Pahalgam residents — Bashir Ahmad Jothar and Parvez Ahmad Jothar — who were arrested in June for sheltering and aiding three Pakistani terrorists, are also set to be named in the charge sheet. The trio of terrorists — Suleiman Shah, Hamza Afghani alias Afghan, and Jibran — were responsible for the April 22 attack at Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam, which killed 25 tourists and a pony operator.

The Jothar brothers allegedly harboured the terrorists at a seasonal hut in Hill Park prior to the attack. The gunmen were later killed in an encounter with security forces on July 28 in the Dachigam forest area.

Union home minister Amit Shah had told Parliament on July 29 that the terrorists were from Pakistan and affiliated with LeT.

Operation Sindoor and Aftermath

Following the Pahalgam attack, India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, striking nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in pre-dawn aerial assaults that reportedly killed around 100 terrorists. The strikes triggered a series of cross-border attacks and counterattacks, involving air raids, missiles, and heavy artillery duels.

In one of the most intense operations, on the night of May 9–10, the Indian Air Force struck 13 Pakistani airbases and military installations. Hostilities ceased on May 10 after both sides reached an understanding to halt further escalation.

The NIA has so far questioned over 1,000 people in connection with the Pahalgam case, including tourists, pony owners, photographers, and local workers, as part of its ongoing investigation.