NIA Seeks China’s Assistance After GoPro Camera in Pahalgam Attack Traced to Dongguan

The probe into the deadly Pahalgam terror attack has taken an international turn, with the National Investigation Agency (NIA) moving to seek judicial assistance from China after tracing a GoPro camera recovered from the attack site to Dongguan.

The camera, believed to have been used by the attackers for reconnaissance and possibly to record movements in the area before the strike, was seized as part of the investigation into the April 22, 2025 assault in Pahalgam. The attack, which left 26 people dead—most of them tourists—shocked the nation and triggered a massive security response across Jammu and Kashmir.

According to officials, technical details provided by the manufacturer revealed that the GoPro Hero 12 Black device was first activated in Dongguan, China, on January 30, 2024. While the company shared available data regarding the device’s origin and activation, it reportedly did not have access to information about subsequent sales or the identity of the end user.

With the trail pointing to China, the NIA has initiated the process of sending a Letter Rogatory—a formal request from an Indian court seeking legal assistance from foreign authorities. The request, cleared by the Ministry of Home Affairs and authorised by a special NIA court in Jammu, will seek details about the distribution chain, ownership history, and transaction records linked to the device.

Investigators believe establishing the chain of custody is crucial to identifying those who procured and supplied the camera to the attackers. The attack was claimed by The Resistance Front, which is widely regarded as a proxy of Lashkar-e-Taiba. Officials said uncovering the procurement route of the device could provide key insights into the logistical and financial networks behind the operation. The agency hopes that cooperation from Chinese authorities will help fill critical gaps in the investigation and strengthen the evidentiary trail in one of the most significant terror cases in recent years.