Pahalgam attack GoPro activated in China: NIA, Pg1

Key Highlights:

• An NIA court in Jammu has issued a Letter Rogatory to China regarding the Pahalgam terror attack investigation.
• The request concerns a GoPro camera used by terrorists, which was activated in Dongguan, China on January 30, 2024.
• The NIA seeks details on the camera's supply chain and end-user from Chinese authorities.
• The request is made under Section 112 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) and the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC).

Detailed Insights:

• The Pahalgam attack on April 22 last year resulted in the death of 25 tourists and a local guide in South Kashmir.
• The GoPro camera is crucial for understanding the terrorists' pre-attack reconnaissance, movement, and operational preparations.
• GoPro B.V., the manufacturer, identified AE Group International Limited in China as the distributor.
• Since India and China lack a mutual legal assistance treaty, the UNTOC is being used as the basis for the request.
• The Ministry of Home Affairs has approved the issuance of the Letter Rogatory to China for legal assistance.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Letter Rogatory: A formal request from a court to a foreign court for judicial assistance.
• NIA (National Investigation Agency): India's premier counter-terrorism law enforcement agency.
• UNTOC (United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime): A UN treaty to combat transnational organized crime.