To derail probe? Uddav Sena slams Centre for wrong sketch of Pahalgam attackers

India Today

9 hours ago

The Shiv Sena (UBT) mouthpiece Saamna, in its latest edition, has launched a sharp attack on the Modi government over the botched identification of suspects in the Pahalgam terror attack, raising pointed questions about whether the release of incorrect sketches of the assailants was an error or a deliberate attempt to mislead security forces.In a hard-hitting editorial, the party asked, "If the real culprits of the Pahalgam carnage are finally being traced, that's welcome. But who was responsible for the grave mistake of issuing the wrong sketches? Who did it? And more importantly, was it a deliberate act to derail the investigation?"advertisementOn April 22, in one of the deadliest attacks in recent years in Kashmir, terrorists opened fire on a group of tourists in the Baisaran meadow of Pahalgam, killing 25 visitors and a local Kashmiri youth. Just 48 hours later, the government released sketches of three alleged attackers, which quickly circulated across social media. The release of these images was projected as proof of the Centre's prompt response, earning the government much praise.
However, in a stunning reversal, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) later said the sketches were incorrect — none of the three men depicted were involved in the massacre.The editorial likened the initial phase of the investigation to "beating a rope thinking it's a snake" and slammed the government for acting in haste without adequate verification. It was revealed that the sketches originally released, showing Kashmir's Adil Hussain Thokar and Pakistani nationals Ali Bhai alias Talha and Hashim Musa alias Suleman, were the basis of the manhunt that lasted two months.advertisementExternal Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had even cited these identities in an international interview.The real twist in the case emerged when the NIA arrested two Kashmiris — Parvez Ahmad Jothar and Waseer Ahmad Jothar — who allegedly provided shelter and logistical support to the actual attackers. The investigation has revealed that the real perpetrators were Pakistani nationals affiliated with Lashkar-e-Taiba. One of the three attackers has been identified as Suleman Shah. The arrested locals confessed to giving refuge and food to the terrorists, and admitted that they were paid to remain silent.The Saamna editorial alleged that the central government's eagerness to showcase its speed may have come at the cost of credibility, suggesting that the premature release of inaccurate sketches not only derailed the investigation but also "damaged India's image globally". It called the NIA's revelation that the attackers were completely different individuals from those initially identified, 'startling' and "deeply embarrassing".As fresh evidence points conclusively to Lashkar-e-Taiba's involvement and a deliberate cross-border plot, Uddhav Sena has demanded accountability not just for the attack, but for what it called a "serious lapse" in the investigation process. The editorial closes with a demand for a thorough probe into how the sketches went wrong, and whether there was a hidden motive to mislead security agencies.- Ends(With inputs from Vidya Kumar.)Must Watch