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| ‘Terrorists used Chinese App ‘Ultra’ to contact Pak handlers’ | | | Sandeep Bhat
Early Times Report
Jammu, June 23: The two brothers arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Sunday for helping the terrorists involved in the Pahalgam massacre have made shocking disclosures during initial questioning. They revealed that the Pakistani terrorists were using a Chinese communication app called ‘Ultra’ to stay in touch with their handlers across the border.
The two accused—Parvez Ahmed Jothar and Bashir Ahmed Jothar—were taken into custody for providing shelter, food, and other supplies to the terrorists before the deadly attack. With their arrest, investigators are now uncovering the broader international network behind the plot.
According to NIA sources, all three attackers were Pakistani nationals and members of the banned terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).
One of the terrorists has been identified as Hashim Musa alias Suleman, a former para commando of Pakistan’s elite Special Service Group (SSG). Musa had been operating in Kashmir for several months and was involved in the twin terror attacks at Gangangir and Buta Patri in October 2024, which killed ten civilians. Investigators believe he was “loaned” to Lashkar by the SSG specifically to target non-local civilians and security forces.
Musa was joined by two other militants during the Pahalgam attack—Ali Bhai, another Pakistani national, and Adil Hussain Thokar, a local youth who had received terror training in Pakistan.
The investigation has also revealed that the attack was supported by about 15 overground workers (OGWs), who helped the terrorists by providing various forms of assistance. Before arresting Parvez and Bashir, the NIA had been monitoring communications and tracking inputs from these OGWs through technical surveillance.
A key finding from the investigation is that the terrorists were constantly in touch with their handlers in Pakistan through the Chinese-made app ‘Ultra’.
The NIA suspects that the terrorists involved in the April 22 massacre may still be hiding in the forests of Tral, Kulgam, and Anantnag. A search operation has been intensified in these areas.
Investigators were also surprised by the background of Parvez and Bashir, as neither had any criminal record until now. Both have been charged under Section 19 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. |
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