New Delhi, June 22 -- With the arrest of two local men who sheltered the Pakistani terrorists behind the April 22 Pahalgam massacre, Indian authorities have directly challenged Islamabad's claims of non-involvement in the attack, media reports said.

India has consistently stated that the massacre, which left 26 dead and 16 injured, was orchestrated by Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), a Pakistan-based terror outfit. Pakistan, however, had rejected the charge.

The attack shocked the nation as the gunmen executed tourists at point-blank range in front of their families, reportedly after forcing them to confirm their religion.

The disclosures not only corroborate India's assertion that the attackers were Pakistani but also tie them to LeT founder Ha...