Jammu & Kashmir: A week after a deadly terrorist attack in the Baisaran area of Pahalgam left 26 tourists dead, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has uncovered troubling evidence linking the assault to Pakistan-based operatives and the use of sophisticated Chinese technology.
The Resistance Front (TRF), believed to be a proxy of the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba group, has claimed responsibility for the April 22 massacre. According to intelligence sources, the attackers used encrypted Chinese communication apps and a satellite phone—allegedly manufactured by Huawei—to coordinate the operation and maintain contact with handlers in Pakistan.
In a statement issued Monday, the NIA confirmed that multiple teams are on the ground collecting forensic evidence, electronic data, and questioning local residents and suspected overground workers. The investigation has revealed the use of Chinese-made mobile applications—many of which are banned in India following the Galwan Valley clashes—to evade Indian surveillance systems.
The satellite phone, traced to the vicinity of the attack on the day it occurred, is believed to be part of Huawei’s satellite-enabled smartphone series, such as the Mate 60 Pro and Nova 11 Ultra. These phones operate using China’s Tiantong-1 satellite network and feature advanced encryption, burst transmission, and steganographic messaging, making them nearly impossible to track or intercept using conventional methods.
Citing sources, The Economic Times reported the phone was likely smuggled into India via Pakistan or another cross-border route. Western intelligence agencies are now reportedly collaborating with Indian authorities to trace the signal trails and decode the communication layers used by the attackers.
While Beijing has officially condemned the attack, its diplomatic posture has raised eyebrows in New Delhi. In a recent phone call with Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi called for a “swift and impartial” investigation, urging restraint from both India and Pakistan. “Conflict does not serve the interests of either India or Pakistan,” Wang stated.
Despite his condemnation, Wang’s remarks were seen as lending tacit support to Islamabad’s position. Dar, for his part, rejected what he called “India’s baseless propaganda” and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to counterterrorism, while also warning against any move that could escalate regional tensions.
China’s Ambassador to India, Xu Feihong, echoed Beijing’s official line, expressing condolences to the victims’ families on social media and reiterating that “China opposes terrorism in all its forms.”
The NIA is expected to submit a preliminary report in the coming days, with investigators focusing on tracing the foreign technology and communication networks that enabled the attackers to circumvent Indian monitoring systems.
