Cuttack: A three-member team of National Investigation Agency (NIA), investigating the Pahalgam terror attack, arrived in Odisha again on Tuesday to question a family from Cuttack’s city which survived the April 22 assault.
The NIA officials quizzed Ranjit Kumar Bhol (69), his wife Sashi Kumari Nayak (65), younger son Sandeep (35) and daughter-in-law Lelina Subhadarshini (33), who were at Baisaran Valley on the fateful day.
The family had earlier claimed to have witnessed the killing of three tourists by the terrorists after being identified as Hindus while hiding behind a garments display rack, about 5 feet away.
The incident took place only 15 minutes after they reached the popular tourist spot surrounded by snow-clad mountains, dense deodar forests, and sprawling green meadows. They were clicking pictures when they heard the first gunshots.
The Bhol family is being treated as crucial eyewitnesses and was reportedly asked for any photos or video footage captured at the valley, which may help the investigators identify the suspects or provide evidence of their movements, leading up to the attack, sources said.
The family had gone to Kashmir to celebrate Sandeep and Lelina’s marriage anniversary. While they successfully ducked the bullets, Sashi sustained a fracture in her right hand and leg while attempting to escape through the muddy terrains. They reached Cuttack on Saturday night.
Also Read: Pahalgam Terror Attack Survivors From Odisha Recount Heart-Wrenching Moments
On April 26, NIA officials had questioned the wife of Prasant Satpathy, who was among the 26 killed in the terror attack, in Balasore as a part of the ongoing investigation.
Also Read: NIA Team Visits House Of Odisha Tourist Killed In Pahalgam Terror Attack For Probe
