NIA files chargesheet in Kishtwar attack case

India's National Investigation Agency filed a 535-page chargesheet on October 9, 2026, over a February attack in Kishtwar district. The agency said the document names arrested local resident Maneer Ahmed and three militants killed during the confrontation.

Ahmed, from Naidgam in the Chatroo area, is accused of voluntarily sheltering members of a group involved in attacks on security personnel and civilians. The NIA said he faces charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. A chargesheet sets out the investigators' allegations and does not establish the defendant's guilt.

The case concerns an attack on February 22 at Wani Mohalla, Passer Kote. According to the agency, three militants led by Saifullah took part. Investigators linked them to Kashmir Tigers, also described as the Azrael Group, which they said operates under the banned Jaish-e-Mohammad organisation. All three were killed when security forces returned fire.

The NIA said its five-month investigation traced the conspiracy to Pakistan. It alleged that the group operated in the district's higher reaches and carried out several attacks that killed local residents and security personnel. The investigation remains open. The available reports contain no court determination of the allegations against Ahmed.