Daijiworld Media Network – Srinagar

Srinagar, Sep 25: The Jammu and Kashmir Police on Wednesday arrested 26-year-old Mohammad Yousuf Katari in connection with the deadly Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives, including a Nepali citizen, on April 22. Katari was apprehended based on intelligence inputs from Kulgam district in South Kashmir.

Officials said Katari, a teacher by profession, acted as an Over Ground Worker (OGW) and is believed to have links with the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terror group. He allegedly provided logistical support to the terrorists involved in the Pahalgam attack, who were later killed during Operation Mahadev.

Operation Mahadev, launched on May 22 after receiving intelligence about terrorists in Dachigam near Srinagar, resulted in the elimination of three terrorists, including the mastermind of the Pahalgam attack. Weapons recovered from their hideout, including AK-47 and M9 rifles, were sent for forensic analysis in Chandigarh, which confirmed their use in the April 22 attack.

The Pahalgam attack, which targeted tourists at Baisaran—popularly known as ‘mini Switzerland’—killed 25 tourists (24 Indians and one Nepali) and a local man. An Indian Navy officer and an Intelligence Bureau personnel were also among the casualties. The Resistance Front, a shadow group of LeT, claimed responsibility.

Following the attack, India launched Operation Sindoor, conducting precision strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir on the night of May 6–7. The strikes led to cross-border exchanges, which continued for three nights before both countries agreed to cease all land, air, and sea firing from 5 pm on May 10.