Indian Security Power Staff patrol at the PAHALGAM attack site. File | Photo Credit: Reuters
Mohammad Yousuf Katari, an OGW (OGW) arrested by the Police Jammu and Kashmir, met terrorists involved in April 22, Pahalgam attack four times and handed them a phone charger, which is key evidence that led to his captivity.
Mr. Katari, 26, was arrested last September for the alleged provision of key logistics support for Suleman, alias Asif, Jibran and Hamza Afghan, three terrorists who shot 26 people, mostly tourists, in Pahalgam.
Mr. Katari reportedly told the police during the interrogation that he had met three on four occasions in Zabarwan Hills outside Srinagar, the officials said.
His arrest came on the back of the investigation weeks.
The breakthrough came after a deep forensic analysis of the material renewed from the place of Mahadev, an operation against terror launched in July, which resulted in the killing of three terrorists involved in the Pahalgam massacre on the Zabarwan series on Srinagar.
The police set out on Mr. Katari after examining the partially destroyed Android mobile phone charger, one of several items obtained during the operation.
The Srinagar police traced the original owner of the charger to the length of the charger, which confirmed the sale of the phone to the seller, which was information that led the police to the katari.
Officials stated that Mr. Katari, who allegedly taught nomadic students within higher reach, was a key source for the terrorist group. It is assumed that its help included the provision of the charger and leadership leaders with difficult terrain.
Terrorists Suleman aka Asif (Mastermind of the Pahalgam Attack), Jibran (associated with the attack of the Sonamarg tunnel in October 2024) and Hamza Afghani were killed on July 29 at a meeting under Mahadev.
While officials refused to provide further details, referring to the ongoing investigation, the arrest is considered to be a significant step in dismantling the functioning of the network to support terroristics in the Kashmir Valley.
They stated that the case could eventually be transferred to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), which is already examining a greater conspiracy of the Pahalgam attack.
So far, NIA has arrested two people in connection with a terrorist attack on April 22 for the alleged provision of logistics support and shelter to terrorists.
Published – 5th October 2025 06:01 is
