Srinagar,J & K : Deputy Inspector General of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) Sandeep Chaudhary who led the investigation into the April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack has been awarded the Union Home Minister’s Medal for Excellence in Investigation for 2026.

The Ministry of Home Affairs announced the list of awardees on Saturday, recognising Chaudhary for his contribution to the investigation of the April 22, 2025 attack at Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam, in which 26 people, mostly tourists, lost their lives.

A 2012 batch IPS officer of the AGMUT cadre, Chaudhary served as the Chief Investigating Officer in the case after the NIA took over the investigation.

The agency subsequently filed a chargesheet against several accused, including Lashkar-e-Taiba operatives Hafiz Saeed and Sajid Jatt.

Before joining the NIA, Chaudhary served as Senior Superintendent of Police in Shopian, Anantnag and Srinagar, where he was associated with several counter terrorism operations.

His service record includes nine gallantry medals for his role in anti-terror operations in Jammu and Kashmir.

He has also received commendation discs from the Chief of Army Staff, Northern Command, Western Air Command of the Indian Air Force, CRPF, J&K Police, Bureau of Police Research and Development and the NIA.

In 2021, an operation led by Chaudhary resulted in the arrest of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Syed Naveed Mushtaq alias Naveed Babu, along with then Deputy Superintendent of Police Davinder Singh.

The award, formally known as the Kendriya Grihmantri Dakshata Padak, recognises excellence in investigation and distinguished contributions in the field of policing.