Suhail Khan
New Delhi, Dec. 31: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) announced on Wednesday the completion of its investigation into the Pahalgam terrorist attack, marking the culmination of a year defined by significant counter-terrorism achievements. The agency also reported maintaining a conviction rate of over 92% for the year.
In a year-end review obtained by The Kashmir Convener, the NIA detailed the filing of a chargesheet against seven individuals in connection with the April attack in Pahalgam, which targeted tourists and sparked national outrage. The chargesheet formally identifies the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and its affiliate, The Resistance Front (TRF), as the terrorist organizations responsible. Among those chargesheeted are the three assailants, who were neutralized by security forces after carrying out the religion-based killings.
“This concludes a major investigation that underscores our commitment to delivering justice, despite significant operational challenges,” a senior NIA official stated.
A highlight of the year was the extradition in April of Tahawwur Rana, a key conspirator in the 2008 Mumbai attacks that killed 166 people, from the United States. Rana will now stand trial in India.
The agency also reported rapid progress in other high-profile cases, including the Delhi Red Fort area car blast that claimed 11 lives. Within two months of the attack, the NIA arrested nine accused individuals.
Operational data for the year reveals substantial outcomes: the agency secured a record 66 convictions and chargesheeted 320 individuals. Nationwide raids led to roughly 200 arrests linked to major terror and organized crime syndicates. As part of a crackdown on fugitives, authorities attached 12 properties and assets under relevant statutes.
Beyond Rana’s extradition, the agency secured the deportation from the U.S. of alleged gangster Anmol Bishnoi, brother of incarcerated crime figure Lawrence Bishnoi. Bishnoi is accused of conspiring to carry out terrorist activities in Delhi and other regions.
The NIA’s efforts spanned multiple threat domains. It filed chargesheets against 34 individuals in nine cases related to Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) and investigated ten cases involving pro-Khalistani elements and their nexus with organized crime. Notable advances were also made in probes into human trafficking networks—including the ‘dunki’ route and cyber-slavery schemes in Southeast Asia—and arms smuggling syndicates.
To enhance investigative capacity, the agency developed specialized databases to track government weapons and organized crime networks, enabling real-time intelligence sharing with state police forces. It also conducted advanced training workshops on investigating crimes involving cryptocurrency.
Through these coordinated actions, the NIA has reinforced its expanding mandate to secure the nation against a complex and evolving spectrum of terrorist and criminal networks.
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