NEW DELHI: A special NIA court in Jammu has given investigators 45 more days to keep two men in custody over the Pahalgam terror attack, extending their remand beyond the usual 90-day limit.On September 18, special judge Sandeep Gandotra allowed the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to continue its probe against Bashir Ahmad Jothat, a resident of Baisaran in Pahalgam, and Parvaiz Ahmad from Batkote. Bashir and Parvaiz were arrested in June for allegedly sheltering Pakistani militants who carried out the April 22 attack. Investigators allege that they sheltered attackers in a seasonal hut, “dhok” in Hill Park, Pahalgam, before the terror attack.The judge said there was enough evidence to justify more time, citing pending forensic tests and DNA profiling.”Accordingly, the extension for a period of 45 days is given to the investigating officer for the investigation of the case beyond the period of 90 days in favour of accused Bashir Ahmad Jothat and Parvaiz Ahmad with direction to complete the investigation of the case as soon as possible,” the order read, as cited by PTI.The original 90-day remand, plus 10 days of judicial custody, was due to end on Friday. The accused were presented virtually before the court, which approved the request to extend their detention.The judge described the NIA’s plea for more time as “well-founded” and “deserved acceptance” since the case is at a crucial stage. Witness accounts, DNA analysis and forensic reports are still awaited, the court noted.”The report of DNA profiling of accused persons for comparison is also awaited. A prima facie case is made out for extension of remand and detention of accused beyond the stipulated period of 90 days.”Public prosecutor Chandan Kumar Singh, appearing for the NIA, sought an extension of custody from 90 to 180 days under UAPA. He argued that critical evidence remains incomplete, including mobile phone data linked to Pakistani numbers and forensic testing of blankets and shawls allegedly used by the militants.”Some Pakistani numbers have been recovered from the mobile phones of the accused and their details have to be ascertained. Three terrorists have been killed and some recoveries have been made from them, which have been sent to NFSU Gandhinagar, the report of which is still awaited. Some arms and ammunition have also been recovered from the killed terrorists in the encounter on July 28, and the details of the FSL report are still awaited,” Singh told the court, as reported by PTI.He added that blankets, shawls and bedsheets recovered with the help of the accused have been sent to CFSL Chandigarh for DNA tests to match them with the slain terrorists. “The report of the same is still awaited,” he said.The NIA has re-registered the case, which relates to the killing of 26 tourists and the injury of 16 others at Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam on April 22, this year.According to the agency, the accused disclosed that the attackers were Pakistani nationals belonging to Lashkar-e-Taiba.
