Mohammad Yousuf Katari, an Over Ground Worker (OGW) recently apprehended by the Jammu and Kashmir Police, reportedly met the terrorists involved in the April 22 Pahalgam attack four times. A seemingly insignificant Android phone charger ultimately provided the crucial evidence that led to his capture, officials in Srinagar disclosed on Sunday.
Mr. Katari, 26, was arrested in the last week of September for allegedly furnishing vital logistical support to Sulieman alias Asif, Jibran, and Hamza Afghani – the three terrorists who tragically killed 26 people, mostly tourists, in the serene resort town of Pahalgam.
During his interrogation, Mr. Katari is said to have admitted to police that he encountered the three militants on four separate occasions within the Zabarwan hills, located on the outskirts of Srinagar city.
His apprehension followed an exhaustive, weeks-long investigation. The decisive breakthrough came from an in-depth forensic analysis of various items recovered during Operation Mahadev, a counter-terror operation conducted in July. This operation led to the killing of the three terrorists responsible for the Pahalgam massacre in the foothills of the Zabarwan Range, near Srinagar.
Police focused their efforts on Mr. Katari after meticulously examining a partially damaged Android mobile phone charger. This charger was one of several articles retrieved from the site of Operation Mahadev. Srinagar police painstakingly tracked down the charger’s original owner, who verified selling the device to a dealer. This intricate trail of information eventually guided the police directly to Katari.
Officials indicated that Mr. Katari, who reportedly served as a teacher for nomadic students in the higher reaches of the region, had been a crucial resource for the terror cell. His alleged assistance involved providing essential supplies like the charger and navigating the attackers through the challenging terrain.
The three terrorists – Sulieman alias Asif (identified as the mastermind of the Pahalgam attack), Jibran (linked to the October 2024 Sonamarg Tunnel attack), and Hamza Afghani – were neutralized on July 29 during an encounter as part of Operation Mahadev.
While further details are being withheld due to the sensitive and ongoing nature of the investigation, this arrest is regarded as a significant stride towards dismantling the terror support infrastructure active in the Kashmir valley. It is anticipated that the case will eventually be handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), which is already probing the broader conspiracy behind the Pahalgam attack.
To date, the NIA has arrested two individuals in connection with the April 22 terror attack, on charges of providing logistical aid and shelter to the terrorists.