The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has confirmed a fatal alliance of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), and the Pakistan Army in the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, in which terrorists murdered 26 individuals, the majority of whom were tourists.
The NIA’s initial report states that overground workers (OGWs) within Jammu & Kashmir were the largest facilitators to allow the attack. The handlers of the attack were based in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), and India has officially blamed Pakistan, which prompted robust diplomatic and military warnings of reprisal.
Coordinated Cross-Border Conspiracy
According to NIA sources, the Pahalgam massacre planning wasn’t in isolation. It was orchestrated attack by LeT, ISI, and the Pakistan Army together. The group that had taken responsibility — The Resistance Front (TRF) — is LeT’s proxy, employed to project an image of local militancy.
But the evidence of the NIA connects the terror module with Pakistan’s official and unofficial arms directly.
The report highlights the central role of overground workers, who supplied logistics, shelter, finance, and ground-level advice to the attackers. These civilian-attired enablers did not bear arms, but they facilitated the attack.
The NIA has already identified known OGWs in Jammu and Kashmir and is making preparations for administrative and judicial action against them.
India’s Strategic and Diplomatic Response
India has responded vigorously to the Pahalgam attack. The government has put the Indus Waters Treaty on abeyance, has expelled all Pakistani nationals, and closed Indian airspace to Pakistan-based flights.
PM Narendra Modi also made a stern statement, stating, “India will identify, track, and punish every terrorist and their backers.” Spoken in English in a public speech in Bihar, Modi’s statement was a clear message to the world — India will strike back.
A looming military revenge?
With Pakistan on notice and global eyes watching, a cross-border military response now looks more and more likely. India has taken statements from 150 people and carried out 3-D mapping of the attack area. The case is the most serious since the 2008 Mumbai attacks, both in terms of size and geopolitical consequences.
A fresh layer of worry arises as the NIA reconstructs the Pahalgam attack using 3-D mapping. This technology-based probe indicates a hybrid warfare strategy — where asymmetric terrorism is combined with high-tech reconnaissance. The assailants operated with high situational awareness, indicating advanced pre-attack planning beyond OGW support.
This attack may prove to be a tipping point in India-Pakistan relations. By officially connecting LeT, ISI, and Pakistan Army, the NIA has made state-sponsored terrorism and proxy war indistinguishable. India’s reaction may redefine deterrence norms in South Asia.
