Pahalgam Attack Case: Government Names Karambir Singh Nalwa as Special Public Prosecutor to Head Trial Proceedings

New Delhi, Apr 22 — Marking one year since the devastating terror strike in Pahalgam, the Central government has appointed senior advocate Karambir Singh Nalwa as Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) to lead the trial in the high-profile case. The attack, which occurred on April 22 last year in the scenic Baisaran meadows, resulted in the deaths of 25 tourists and a local pony operator, sending shockwaves across the country.
The appointment, formalized through a notification issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, empowers Nalwa to represent the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in all legal proceedings related to the case. These include hearings at the NIA Special Court in Jammu and the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. Authorities confirmed that his tenure will extend up to three years, or until the trial concludes, or earlier based on the agency’s assessment of his performance.
The legal move comes as part of a broader effort to ensure a robust prosecution in one of the most heinous terror incidents in recent years. The NIA has already filed a detailed chargesheet against six individuals along with two Pakistan based terror outfits Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and The Resistance Front (TRF). Investigators have described the attack as the result of a well coordinated cross border conspiracy, allegedly orchestrated with support from handlers based in Pakistan.
According to the agency, LeT, led by Hafeez Saeed a globally designated terrorist played a central role in planning and facilitating the assault. The TRF, widely regarded as a proxy of LeT, was allegedly operationally led by Habibullah Malik, who has also been named in the chargesheet as a key conspirator.
The investigation further identified three Pakistani terrorists directly involved in executing the killings. These individuals were later neutralized by the Indian Army during Operation Mahadev in the Dachigam area on the outskirts of Srinagar on July 29, nearly 100 days after the attack. The slain militants were identified as Faisal Jatt alias Suleman Shah, Habeeb Tahir alias Jibran, and Hamza Afghani.
In addition to the foreign operatives, the NIA has charged two local individuals Parvaiz Ahmad and Bashir Ahmad Jothar for allegedly providing shelter and logistical support to the attackers. Both were arrested on June 22 last year and remain in custody as the trial proceedings move forward.
Officials believe the appointment of an experienced legal figure like Nalwa will strengthen the prosecution’s case and ensure expeditious handling of the trial. The case continues to hold national significance, not only due to the scale of the tragedy but also because of its implications for cross-border terrorism and internal security.
As the judicial process advances, the focus remains on delivering justice to the victims and reinforcing India’s commitment to combating terrorism through both legal and strategic measures.