NIA files chargesheet against 4 in Kishtwar terror attack case, tracks conspiracy in Pakistan

Arms and ammunition recovered from the site of an encounter between security forces and militants, in Kishtwar district, Jammu and Kashmir. File. | Photo credit: PTI

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Friday (October 9, 2026) filed a chargesheet against four terrorists – one local and three slain, Pakistani terrorists – in connection with an encounter that took place earlier this year in the Chenab Valley of Kishtwar.

An NIA spokesperson said the 535-page charge sheet detailed the conspiracy and the role of the three dead terrorists, including Saifullah, the commander of the banned Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), in the attack.

The spokesman said the arrested person, identified as Maneer Ahmed of Naidgam in Inderwal’s Chatroo, was charged with “voluntarily harboring and sheltering terrorists involved in attacks on security forces and civilians in the hilly district of Kishtwar”. He faces charges under sections of the UAPA “for waging war against India and conspiracy across borders,” the NIA said.

The NIA said it investigated the case for five months and “traced the conspiracy in the case to Pakistan”. “Further investigation of the case is ongoing,” the agency said.

The terror attack took place on February 22 at Chatroo’s Wani Mohalla, Passer Kote, in Kishtwar district.

“Three terrorists led by terror mastermind Saifullah, affiliated to the Kashmir Tigers (Azrael Group), operating under the banned terrorist organization JeM, took part in the attack. Retaliatory firing by the security forces resulted in the killing of all three,” the NIA said.

The agency found that the group, which was active in upper Kishtwar, carried out several attacks that killed security personnel and local residents.

Published – 10 Oct 2026 0:50 AM IST