NIA Seeks China's Judicial Assistance in Pahalgam Terror Attack Probe
In a significant development in the investigation of the Pahalgam terror attack, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has secured court approval to seek judicial assistance from China. This move aims to trace the origins of a GoPro action camera used by terrorists in the deadly assault that occurred on April 22, 2023.
Details of the Terrorist Attack and Evidence
The attack, carried out by Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists at Baisaran in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam, resulted in the tragic deaths of 25 tourists and a Kashmiri pony handler. Among the items seized during the investigation was a GoPro Hero 12 Black camera, now considered a "crucial" piece of reconnaissance evidence by the NIA.
Investigators revealed to a Jammu court this week that the camera, bearing serial number C3501325471706, was first activated in Dongguan, China, on January 30, 2024. This activation occurred approximately fifteen months before the terrorist attack, highlighting its role in pre-attack planning.
Court Approval and Legal Process
The special court allowed the NIA's plea for a "letter rogatory" on Monday. This legal term refers to a formal request from one country to another for judicial assistance. The request will be sent to the Chinese government through India's Ministry of External Affairs to help trace:
- Who purchased the GoPro camera
- How the device ended up in the hands of a terror module operating in Jammu and Kashmir
The Home Ministry has already cleared the request submitted by NIA DIG Sandeep Choudhary, underscoring the importance of this investigation.
Investigation Findings and Challenges
The NIA informed the special judge that determining who procured and activated the camera in China is integral to establishing:
- Pre-attack reconnaissance activities
- Movement patterns of the terrorists
- Operational preparedness of the Pakistan-backed terrorists
Previously, the agency issued a notice to the manufacturer, GoPro BV, seeking details about the camera's distribution chain and activation. GoPro's response indicated that the camera was supplied to AE Group International Ltd, a distributor based in China, and activated in Dongguan—an industrial hub in central Guangdong province.
However, GoPro informed the NIA that it does not hold downstream transaction records or end-user details, making Chinese authorities the only route to identifying the buyer. This limitation has necessitated international cooperation.
International Legal Framework
Since India and China do not have a bilateral mutual legal assistance treaty, the request will be routed through the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organised Crime. Both countries have ratified this convention, providing a legal pathway for cooperation.
The court acknowledged that the information sought by the NIA is "very important in establishing the chain of custody, user attribution and evidentiary linkage of the camera to the wider conspiracy." It directed the investigating officer to:
- Upload the request with Chinese translations on the mutual legal assistance portal
- Send copies through CBI's international police cooperation unit in Delhi for forwarding to China through diplomatic channels
This development marks a critical step in the ongoing investigation, as authorities work to uncover the full network behind the Pahalgam terror attack and bring those responsible to justice.
