Key details have emerged regarding the arrest of Mohammad Yousuf Katari, a 26-year-old Over Ground Worker (OGW), for his involvement in the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. Katari was apprehended by the Jammu and Kashmir Police in late September after investigators found that he had met the three terrorists—Sulieman alias Asif, Jibran, and Hamza Afghani—on four occasions. He provided them with logistical support, including an Android phone charger, which became crucial evidence in his capture.

Katari, a resident of Kulgam district in South Kashmir, reportedly met the attackers in the Zabarwan hills near Srinagar. During interrogation, he admitted to guiding them through the challenging terrain. His arrest followed an extensive investigation, including forensic analysis of materials recovered during Operation Mahadev in July, which resulted in the deaths of the three terrorists involved in the Pahalgam attack.

The police traced the partially destroyed phone charger back to Katari, confirming his connection to the attackers. Authorities believe that his interrogation could reveal further links within the terror support network in the Kashmir Valley. The case may be handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), which is already investigating the broader conspiracy behind the Pahalgam attack.

The April 22 attack, which took place in Baisaran—a popular tourist destination—resulted in the deaths of 26 people, primarily tourists. The attack was claimed by The Resistance Front (TRF), a group associated with the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). The NIA has previously arrested two individuals for allegedly providing shelter and support to the terrorists involved in this incident. Katari's arrest is viewed as a significant step in dismantling the operational capabilities of terror groups in the region.