The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has officially appointed advocate Shri Singh as the Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) to conduct the trial in connection with the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam terror attack, as the National Investigation Agency (NIA) prepares to file its charge sheet in the case. The attack, carried out in the scenic Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam, left 25 tourists and a pony operator dead, and has been linked to the Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).

Appointment of the Special Public Prosecutor

In a notification, the MHA stated:

“…the Central government hereby appoints Shri Singh, advocate, as Special Public Prosecutor for conducting trial and other matters related to NIA case No. RC-02/2025/NIA/JMU, on behalf of the NIA, before the NIA special court, Jammu, and the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh for a period of three years from the date of publication of this notification or till the completion of the trial of the said case, whichever is earlier.”

Shri Singh will coordinate closely with the investigating officer to lead the trial proceedings in both the NIA special court in Jammu and the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. His role is expected to be pivotal in presenting the evidence, questioning witnesses, and ensuring that the prosecution’s case against the accused is effectively represented in court.

The Pahalgam Terror Attack and Investigation

The Pahalgam attack occurred on April 22, 2025, when three armed Pakistani terrorists—Suleiman Shah, Hamza Afghani alias Afghan, and Jibran—targeted tourists and local pony operators in the Baisaran meadow, resulting in the deaths of 25 civilians and a pony operator. The attackers were later killed by security forces on July 28, 2025, in the Dachigam forest area. Union Home Minister Amit Shah had confirmed in Parliament that the attackers were from Pakistan and affiliated with the LeT terror group.

Following the attack, the NIA launched an extensive investigation. The agency has questioned over 1,000 individuals, including tourists, mule and pony owners, photographers, shopkeepers, and employees in the region. This probe has sought to reconstruct the events leading to the attack, identify accomplices, and determine how the terrorists managed to infiltrate the area.

Two local residents of Pahalgam, Bashir Ahmad Jothar and Parvez Ahmad Jothar, were arrested on June 22, 2025, nearly two months after the attack. They were accused of harboring the three terrorists at a seasonal dhok (hut) at Hill Park, providing logistical support prior to the killings. Both Bashir and Parvez are expected to be named in the upcoming charge sheet.

NIA’s Charge Sheet and Court Proceedings

The NIA had previously sought a 45-day extension from a Jammu court to complete its investigation beyond the statutory 90-day period. This extension, granted on September 18, 2025, is set to conclude this week, paving the way for the agency to file the charge sheet in the Pahalgam case.

The charge sheet is expected to detail the involvement of the LeT terrorists, the complicity of local accomplices, and the logistical and operational planning behind the attack. The prosecution will likely rely on statements from witnesses, recovered evidence, and digital and physical forensic findings to substantiate the charges.

Operation Sindoor: India’s Retaliatory Strikes

In response to the attack, India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, 2025. The operation involved pre-dawn strikes targeting nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), which reportedly resulted in the deaths of at least 100 terrorists.

The military retaliation escalated into a series of attacks and counterattacks along the western border, involving fighter jets, missiles, armed drones, and artillery exchanges. Notably, on the night of May 9–10, 2025, the Indian Air Force targeted 13 Pakistani airbases and military installations. After four days of intense military activity, hostilities ceased on May 10, 2025, following diplomatic engagements and mutual understanding between the two nations.

Legal and Judicial Implications

The appointment of Shri Singh as SPP underscores the seriousness of the case and ensures that the trial will be conducted under the supervision of a senior legal professional with experience in handling high-profile terrorism cases. The trial will also be closely monitored by national security agencies, given the involvement of foreign terrorists and local accomplices.

The case represents a critical test of India’s counter-terrorism and judicial processes, combining investigative rigor by the NIA, coordinated prosecution by the SPP, and judicial oversight by the NIA special court and the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. The prosecution will need to establish links between the attackers, the harboring locals, and the broader operational network of the LeT to ensure that justice is delivered to the victims and their families.

Conclusion

As the NIA moves closer to filing its charge sheet, the focus will shift to the courtroom, where Shri Singh, as the Special Public Prosecutor, will present a comprehensive case against the accused and facilitate a thorough legal examination of the events surrounding the Pahalgam terror attack. The trial, expected to unfold over the coming months, will scrutinize not only the actions of the terrorists but also the failure of local safeguards and the complicity of accomplices, ensuring accountability and reinforcing India’s commitment to combating terrorism.