The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has approached Chinese authorities to seek information about a GoPro camera believed to have been used in the April 22 terror attack at Baisaran Meadow in Pahalgam last year. The camera, identified as a GoPro Hero 12 Black, is considered a crucial piece of evidence in the investigation.

According to details submitted before a Jammu court, the federal anti-terror agency has sought permission to issue a Letter Rogatory (LR), which is a formal judicial request sent to a foreign country for assistance in an ongoing investigation. The court has now allowed the NIA to send the request to China.

The GoPro Hero 12 Black camera, bearing serial number C3501325471706, was recovered during the investigation. Officials believe the device may have been used to record reconnaissance activities, movements, and preparations carried out by the terrorist group involved in the attack.

In its submission before the court, the NIA stated, “….during the course of investigation of aforesaid case, various material objects and electronic devices connected with conspiracy and the execution of said terrorist attack have been examined. One such crucial electronic device is a GoPro Hero 12 Black Camera, bearing serial No.C3501325471706, which is relevant for establishing pre-attack reconnaissance, movement and operational preparation of the terrorist module involved in Pahalgam attack.”

As part of its probe, the NIA had earlier contacted GoPro B.V. in the Netherlands to gather details about the supply chain and activation records of the camera. The manufacturer responded with key information about the distribution and activation of the device.

According to the court order issued on Monday, GoPro B.V. informed the agency that the camera “was supplied to AE Group International Limited, a distributor based in the People's Republic of China; and was activated on January 30, 2024 at Dongguan, People's Republic of China.”

The company further clarified its limitations in providing additional details. As mentioned in the court order, “The manufacturer has further stated that it does not possess downstream transaction details or end-user records of the said device. The activation, initial use and commercial trial of the said device lie within the territorial jurisdiction of the People's Republic of China, and the information necessary to trace the purchaser, end-user, and associated technical records can only be obtained through judicial assistance of the Chinese authorities, hence the application.”

Based on this response, the NIA informed the Jammu court that crucial information about the buyer, user, and technical data of the device can only be accessed through official cooperation from China. The court reviewed the application and permitted the agency to issue the Letter Rogatory to Chinese authorities.

The April 22 terror attack took place at the scenic Baisaran Meadow in Pahalgam. During the attack, three terrorists — Suleiman Shah, Hamza Afghani alias Afghan, and Jibran — opened fire and killed 25 tourists along with a pony operator. The incident led to severe tensions between India and Pakistan and pushed both countries to the brink of a full-scale war.

Following the attack, India launched Operation Sindoor in the early hours of May 7. Under this operation, Indian forces carried out strikes targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The military action continued until a ceasefire was announced on May 10.

Later, on July 28, security forces killed the three terrorists responsible for the attack during an encounter in the Dachigam forest area. The elimination of Suleiman Shah, Hamza Afghani alias Afghan, and Jibran marked a significant development in the case.

The investigation into the Pahalgam attack continues, with the GoPro camera emerging as an important electronic device that may help establish details about planning and preparation carried out before the attack. After the Jammu court granted approval to send a judicial request to China, the NIA is now seeking assistance from Chinese authorities to trace the device’s purchaser, end-user, and related technical records.