Jammu and Kashmir Police Arrest Man Linked to Pahalgam Terror Attack

The Jammu and Kashmir Police have arrested a man allegedly involved in providing logistical support to terrorists who carried out the deadly Pahalgam terror attack in April this year. The arrested individual, identified as 26-year-old Mohd Yousuf Katari, was apprehended from Kulgam district in South Kashmir, police officials said on Wednesday.

Katari is said to have been an Over Ground Worker (OGW), a term used for individuals who assist terrorists by providing local support such as shelter, information, or transport. According to police, his arrest followed a tip-off based on intelligence inputs and further forensic analysis of weapons recovered during a counter-terror operation called Operation Mahadev.

Operation Mahadev was launched by the Indian Army’s elite para commandos in July, weeks after the Pahalgam attack. During the operation, three terrorists were killed near Srinagar, including Sulieman alias Asif, who is believed to have masterminded the April 22 attack. The Pahalgam attack resulted in the tragic death of 26 people, most of whom were tourists.

The other two terrorists eliminated in Operation Mahadev were identified as Jibran and Hamza Afghani. Jibran had also been involved in a previous attack at the Sonamarg Tunnel in October 2024, highlighting his active role in terror activities in the region.

The police confirmed that Katari had a significant role in aiding the terrorists involved in the Pahalgam attack, particularly by providing logistical help. After his arrest, he was taken into custody and is expected to be presented in court soon, with judicial custody likely to follow, according to sources cited by NDTV.

The arrest is seen as an important step in the ongoing efforts to dismantle terror networks operating in Jammu and Kashmir. Authorities continue to pursue leads to ensure such attacks are prevented in the future and those responsible are brought to justice.