NIA probes GoPro HERO12 Black camera used in Pahalgam terror case; seeks China’s help to trace buyer

Core Viewpoint - The National Investigation Agency (NIA) of India is seeking judicial assistance from China to trace a GoPro Hero 12 Black camera linked to a terror attack in Pahalgam, which resulted in 26 fatalities and heightened tensions with Pakistan [1]. Company and Industry Summary - The GoPro HERO12 Black is a high-performance action camera designed for extreme conditions, manufactured by GoPro, Inc., an American company, but assembled in China by contract manufacturers, specifically Jabil Precision Industry (Guangzhou) Co., Ltd. [2] - The camera in question, with serial No.C3501325471706, was supplied to AE Group International Limited in China over a year prior to the Pahalgam attack, which is critical for understanding the operational preparations of the involved terrorist module [3][5]. - The NIA plans to issue a Letter Rogatory to China to identify the purchaser and end-user of the GoPro camera, following approval from a Special Court in Jammu and the Ministry of Home Affairs [4]. - GoPro BV has confirmed that the camera was activated on January 30, 2024, in Dongguan, China, but lacks downstream transaction details or end-user records [7]. - The investigation highlights the use of Chinese-origin mobile phones by terrorists involved in the attack, with two phones purchased in Pakistan, indicating a connection to cross-border terrorism facilitated by Islamabad [9].