ISLAMABAD: More than two weeks after the Pahalgam incident on April 22, 2025, India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) has issued a public appeal for information.
In a press release shared on social media, the agency urged tourists, locals, and visitors who may have any photographs, videos, or relevant details about the attack to come forward and assist in the ongoing investigation.
NIA Appeals to People to Share Information on Pahalgam Terror Attack, Releases Phone Numbers pic.twitter.com/tEHN5woMIB
— NIA India (@NIA_India) May 7, 2025
The timing of the appeal has raised questions, as it follows a period during which Indian authorities were quick to attribute blame to Pakistan for the incident. Critics argue that the delay in gathering critical evidence, while simultaneously making public accusations, undermines the credibility of the investigation and the fact-finding process.
“Shoot First, Find Evidence Later”
A senior Pakistani journalist and former editor of respected Dawn newspaper, Abbas Nasir, highlighted India’s hypocrisy of blaming Pakistan for Pahalgam even though it has yet to collect evidence related to the incident in a social media post.
Former editor Dawn Abbas Nasir, while sharing the NIA India’s official post, aptly remarked: “An appeal for witnesses and evidence on the Pahalgam terror attack, a day after ‘punitive strikes’ against civilian targets in Pakistan. Shoot first, find evidence later.”
An appeal for witnesses and evidence on the Pahalgam terror attack, a day after ‘punitive strikes’ against civilian targets in Pakistan. Shoot first, find evidence later. https://t.co/bgZjQthlN0
— Abbas Nasir (@abbasnasir59) May 7, 2025
The NIA’s appeal states: “NIA has urged all such people to call up the agency on mobile number 9654958816 and/or on landline number – 01124368800 and provide their personal details and also the details of the kind of information or inputs they want to share. A senior NIA official will then connect with the caller and arrange for the relevant information/photos/videos etc to be shared with the agency.”
Officially in charge
It says NIA is officially in charge of the investigation into the attack. NIA teams have been camping in Pahalgam to examine the attack site for evidence and have also been questioning the witnesses of the horrendous crime, it mentions.
