Pahalgam, July 16, 2025 : In a chilling revelation, a key witness has told the National Investigation Agency (NIA) that the terrorists involved in the recent Pahalgam attack fired celebratory shots into the air moments after executing the killings, treating the bloodshed as a ‘victory’. The attack, which claimed the lives of five civilians including two tourists, has sent shockwaves through the valley and intensified the nationwide counterterrorism probe.

The NIA, which is leading the investigation into the July 12 terror strike, has made a significant breakthrough after locating a local resident who witnessed the aftermath of the incident. The witness, whose identity remains protected for security reasons, has reportedly given a detailed account of the terrorists' actions after the killings.

According to the witness, the gunmen, believed to be members of The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), did not flee the scene immediately. Instead, they paused to celebrate their act by firing into the air, shouting slogans, and then disappearing into the forested hills under the cover of darkness. The witness also confirmed seeing the terrorists carrying advanced weapons and communicating via walkie-talkies, suggesting a high level of coordination and planning.

“The shots they fired after the killings weren’t part of the attack. It was celebration... like they were proud of what they had done,” the witness reportedly told the investigators.

Sources within the NIA say that this account is crucial, as it not only offers insight into the attackers' mindset but also helps in reconstructing the exact timeline and route of escape. The agency has since intensified combing operations in the higher reaches of South Kashmir, with drone surveillance and special operations groups deployed for search-and-destroy missions.

Meanwhile, the recovered shell casings and forensic evidence from the scene are being matched with known terror arms caches, and the NIA has sought help from international agencies to trace weapon origins, including possible smuggling routes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

In Delhi, Home Ministry officials called the revelation “deeply disturbing” and said it underscores the urgent need to wipe out active terror networks in Kashmir. Union Home Minister Amit Shah reviewed the security situation in a high-level meeting on Monday and directed that strictest action be taken against any local collaborators aiding terror groups.

Back in Pahalgam, security has been tightened with additional CRPF and Jammu and Kashmir Police personnel deployed across sensitive zones. Locals, though still gripped with fear, have started cooperating with the investigation, which authorities say is crucial in ensuring swift justice.

The witness is now under full protective custody and may soon be a key part of the charge sheet, which the NIA is expected to file in the coming weeks. As India mourns the loss of innocent lives, this testimony could become a turning point in the pursuit of justice and a stark reminder of the twisted celebration of violence that continues to haunt parts of the Valley.