Mohammad Yousuf Katari, an Over Floor Employee (OGW) arrested by the Jammu and Kashmir Police, had met the terrorists concerned within the April 22 Pahalgam attack 4 occasions and handed them an Android cellphone charger, a key proof which in the end led to his seize, officers in Srinagar stated on Sunday (October 5, 2025).

Mr. Katari, 26, was arrested within the final week of September for allegedly offering essential logistical help to Sulieman alias Asif, Jibran, and Hamza Afghani, the three terrorists who gunned down 26 individuals, principally vacationers, within the resort city of Pahalgam.

Mr. Katari is alleged to have advised the police through the interrogation that he had met the three on 4 events within the Zabarwan hills outdoors Srinagar metropolis, officers stated.

His arrest got here on the again of weeks of investigation.

The breakthrough got here following an in-depth forensic evaluation of fabric recovered from the positioning of Operation Mahadev, a counter-terror operation launched in July, which resulted within the killing of three terrorists concerned within the Pahalgam bloodbath, within the foothills of the Zabarwan Vary on the outskirts of Srinagar.

Police zeroed in on Mr. Katari after analyzing {a partially} destroyed Android cell phone charger, one of many a number of gadgets recovered through the operation.

The Srinagar police at size tracked down the unique proprietor of the charger, who confirmed promoting the cellphone to a supplier, a bit of knowledge that, by and by, led police to Katari.

Officers stated that Mr. Katari, who reportedly taught nomadic college students within the increased reaches, had been a key useful resource for the fear group. His help is believed to have included offering the charger and guiding the attackers by way of the tough terrain.

The terrorists Sulieman alias Asif (mastermind of the Pahalgam assault), Jibran (linked to the October 2024 Sonamarg Tunnel assault), and Hamza Afghani had been killed on July 29 in an encounter below Operation Mahadev.

Whereas officers declined to present additional particulars, citing the continued investigation, the arrest is seen as a big step in dismantling the fear help community functioning within the Kashmir valley.

They indicated that the case might in the end be transferred to the Nationwide Investigation Company (NIA), which is already probing the bigger conspiracy of the Pahalgam assault.

The NIA has to this point arrested two individuals in reference to the April 22 terror assault for allegedly offering logistical help and shelter to terrorists.