#JUSTIN: NIA Proof Shows Pahalgam Attack Was Planned Years in Advance From Pakistan

Investigators probing the 2025 Pahalgam terror attack have uncovered what they describe as a significant technological and logistical trail linking the attackers to Pakistan. According to findings by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and the Jammu and Kashmir Police, one of the mobile phones recovered from the terrorists had been imported into Pakistan in 2021 and remained completely inactive for nearly four years before being activated shortly before the attack. Officials believe the discovery points to long-term planning rather than a spontaneous operation.

The Pahalgam attack, which killed 26 people, mostly Hindu tourists, triggered a major deterioration in relations between India and Pakistan. New Delhi accused Islamabad of supporting the attackers, an allegation Pakistan denied. The incident led to heightened diplomatic tensions and military escalation between the two countries. Investigators now say evidence gathered from electronic devices suggests that preparations for the attack may have been underway for several years.

The breakthrough emerged after security forces killed three suspected terrorists—Suleiman Shah, Habeeb Tahir alias Jibran, and Hamza Afghani—during Operation Mahadev near Srinagar. Following the encounter, authorities recovered two Xiaomi Redmi-series mobile phones from the militants. Investigators traced the devices using their International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers and sought supply-chain information from the manufacturer. Records reportedly showed that both phones had been legally imported into Pakistan years before the attack.

Also Read: Rahul Gandhi To Attend Congress Training Camp Conclusion In Pushkar Today

According to investigators, one Redmi 9T device arrived in Pakistan as part of a shipment imported in January 2021 by a Karachi-based company. Records indicated that the phone remained unused for years, showing no network activity, SIM card registration, calls, or data usage before becoming active in 2025. A second device, a Redmi Note 12 imported in 2023 by a Lahore-based distributor, reportedly followed a similar pattern, remaining dormant until shortly before the attack. Officials consider the similarities between the two devices a potentially important investigative lead.

Authorities are also examining import records that mention a Karachi-based bank in connection with financing arrangements for one of the shipments. Investigators stressed that the appearance of a financial institution in trade documentation does not constitute evidence of wrongdoing, as banks routinely facilitate imports through legitimate financial mechanisms. However, officials are reviewing all available information to determine whether any wider support network may have been involved in facilitating the movement of equipment.

Investigators say the recovered phones contained no call logs, messages, social media activity, or internet communication records. According to sources, the attackers are believed to have relied on long-range radio communication systems instead of conventional mobile networks, making digital tracking more difficult. The discovery of two dormant phones activated only before the attack has intensified efforts to identify the broader logistical and technical infrastructure that may have supported the terrorist module operating in Jammu and Kashmir.

Also Read: India-Oman CEPA: How Oman Bypasses Hormuz to Keep India's Trade Flowing