NIA Uncovers GoPro Camera Tied to Pahalgam Terror Attack, Requests China's Judicial Aid
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has recovered a GoPro Hero 12 Black camera that is believed to be connected to the terror attack on April 22, 2025, in Pahalgam, where 26 tourists lost their lives. Investigators deem this camera pivotal in uncovering details of the pre-attack reconnaissance, movement strategies, and operational plans of the terror cell responsible for the assault.
Officials report that the camera was originally supplied to China-based AE Group International Limited over a year ahead of the attack. Technical documentation reveals that the device was activated on January 30, 2024, in Dongguan, China. The manufacturer has stated that it does not have records of subsequent transactions or information about the end users.
The camera is one of several pieces of evidence, including electronic devices, under scrutiny as part of the broader investigation into the conspiracy.
To identify the initial purchaser, end-user, and related technical data, the NIA plans to issue a Letter Rogatory (LR) to the appropriate judicial authority in the People's Republic of China. An LR is a formal request for judicial cooperation between countries. The Ministry of Home Affairs has agreed to proceed with this request.
On March 2, a special court in Jammu authorized the NIA to seek judicial cooperation from China after considering the agency’s petition. Previously, the NIA issued a legal notice under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) to GoPro BV, demanding details about the device's supply chain and activation.
Investigators underline the importance of tracking the camera's chain of custody and user attribution to establish an evidentiary link and reveal the wider conspiracy surrounding the attack.
The NIA assumed control of the investigation from the Jammu and Kashmir Police five days after the tragic incident, which marks the deadliest civilian attack in the area in nearly twenty years.
