In a significant development, Jammu and Kashmir Police have arrested Mohammad Yousuf Kataria, a 26-year-old resident of Kulgam, for allegedly providing logistical support to terrorists involved in the deadly Pahalgam attack on April 22, which resulted in the deaths of 26 tourists in Baisaran Valley. The arrest was made following a thorough analysis of weapons and materials seized during Operation Mahadev, where security forces neutralised three terrorists linked to the attack.

Kataria, who works as a seasonal teacher, was identified through forensic evidence collected during the operation. The police are now investigating his connections to other associates within the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) network operating in the region. Authorities have expressed their commitment to intensifying efforts to dismantle terror modules and restore peace in Jammu and Kashmir.

Earlier, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) had arrested two individuals, Parvaiz Ahmad Jothar and Bashir Ahmad Jothar, for allegedly harbouring the terrorists. They reportedly provided shelter and food to the attackers before the incident. The NIA's investigation has expanded, with scrutiny of 450 phone numbers linked to ongoing cases, revealing connections to international funding for terrorist activities.

The Pahalgam attack, claimed by the Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy of the LeT, has heightened tensions between India and Pakistan. In response, India launched 'Operation Sindoor' to retaliate against the attack, leading to a series of military operations that concluded with a ceasefire on May 10. The ongoing investigations aim to hold accountable those involved in financing and supporting terrorism in the region.