Pahalgam Attack Investigation: Days after the National Investigation Agency (NIA) took over the probe into the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, the federal agency's Director General Sadanand Date on Thursday visited the Valley to oversee the investigation so far. The NIA took over the probe from the Jammu and Kashmir police on Sunday and began its investigation into the Pahalgam attack, which resulted in the killing of 26 tourists from different parts of the country.

The NIA Chief's visit came almost a week after the NIA formally registered an FIR on late Saturday following an order issued from the Counter Terrorism and Counter Radicalisation (CTCR) division of the Ministry of Home Affairs considering the gravity of the case. The NIA team is expected to conduct a thorough assessment of the attack site, collect forensic evidence, and help identify those responsible for the carnage.

ALSO READ: SC Refuses To Hear PIL Seeking Probe Into Pahalgam Terror Attack: 'Don't Demoralise The Forces'

According to a report by NDTV, one of the Over Ground Workers (OGWs) arrested in connection with the Pahalgam attack, has revealed that the terrorists were present in Baisaran since April 20. The terrorists reached Pahalgam on April 15 and recced four locations including Baisaran, Aru Valley, a local amusement park and Betaab Valley. However, the terrorists failed to carry out similar attacks in these zones due to the heavy presence of security forces there.

The report further stated that the NIA has also identified 20 OGWs for their suspected involvement in helping the terrorists carry out the attack. At least four of the 20 identified OGWs were the main suspects who helped the attackers with logistical support. Several identified OGWs have been arrested, and others are under active surveillance.

The NIA probe, reportedly, has also found evidence of the usage of satellite phones in the Pahalgam region during the pre-attack phase, with the NIA team successfully tracing signals from two of these devices. At least 2,500 individuals have been interrogated so far over the Pahalgam attack and 186 persons remain in custody of the security agencies.

Meanwhile, the intelligence agencies have compiled a list of 14 local terrorists actively operating in the Jammu and Kashmir region. These individuals, aged between 20 and 40 years, are actively aiding foreign terrorists from Pakistan by providing logistical and ground-level support, ANI reported.

The identified operatives are reportedly affiliated with three major Pakistan-backed terror outfits: Hizbul Mujahideen, Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). Among them, three are associated with Hizbul Mujahideen, eight with LeT, and three with JeM.

ALSO READ: Pakistani Nationals Get More Time To Leave India Through Attari Border: Report

The individuals under the radar of security forces include Adil Rehman Dentoo (21), Asif Ahmed Sheikh (28), Ahsan Ahmed Sheikh (23), Haris Nazir (20), Aamir Nazir Wani (20), Yawar Ahmed Bhat, Asif Ahmed Khanday (24), Naseer Ahmed Wani (21), Shahid Ahmed Kutay (27), Aamir Ahmed Dar, Adnan Safi Dar, Zubair Ahmed Wani (39), Haroon Rashid Ganai (32), and Zakir Ahmed Ganie (29).

Security forces have launched coordinated operations across South Kashmir, particularly in the Anantnag and Pulwama districts, where many of the listed individuals are believed to be operating.