Pahalgam Terror Attack News: 26 killed; PM Modi cuts short Saudi Arabia visit; Amit Shah to hold high-level meet

Pahalgam terrorist attack news: Terrorists opened fire at Baisaran meadow near Pahalgam in south Kashmir on Tuesday afternoon, killing 26 people, most of them tourists. This marks the deadliest terror attack in the Kashmir Valley since the Pulwama attacks in 2019.

An official from the Intelligence Bureau (IB), Manish Ranjan was among the 26 people killed in a brutal terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam on Tuesday afternoon.

Nirmala Sitharaman cuts short her US, Peru visit

In the wake of terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam, Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs Nirmala Sitharaman has decided to cut short her official visit to US and Peru to be back with people of India in this "difficult and tragic time."

PM Modi cuts short Saudi Arabia visit

PM Modi has decided to cut short his official visit to Saudi Arabia in the wake of the deadly attacks, and will return to India on Wednesday morning. He was originally scheduled to return on Wednesday night.

Home Minister Amit Shah rushed to Srinagar, and will hold a high-level meeting in the wake of the terrorist attack on the tourists.

Italy PM Georgia Meloni extends condolences

Italy PM Georgia Meloni posted on X that she was “saddened by the terrorist attack” which “caused numerous victims.”

She further added on X: “Italy expresses its closeness to the families affected, the injured, the Government and all the Indian people.”

Vladimir Putin extends condolences

Russia's President Vladimir Putin extended condolences to President Droupadi Murmu and PM Narendra Modi over the deaths in the Pulwama terror attack. 

Putin stated: “This brutal crime has no justification whatsoever.”

Delhi on alert

India's national capital, Delhi is on alert, following the deadly attack in Pahalgam. Delhi police has been instructed to keep a close watch on tourist places and other important sites around the city, according to Delhi police officials aware of the development, reported PTI.

Why is Pahalgam attack the deadliest since 2019 Pulwama terror?

The Pahalgam attack is biggest after Pulwama attack of 2019 in terms of casualties, which killed at least 40 CRPF personnel.

“The death toll is still being ascertained so I don’t want to get in to those details. They will be officially conveyed as the situation becomes clearer. Needless to say this attack is much larger than anything we’ve seen directed at civilians in recent years,” Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said in a post on X.

JD Vance condoles deaths in Pahalgam terror attack

US Vice President JD Vance, who is currently on his first visit to India, condoled the deaths in Pahalgam terror attack.
“Usha and I extend our condolences to the victims of the devastating terrorist attack in Pahalgam, India. Over the past few days, we have been overcome with the beauty of this country and its people. Our thoughts and prayers are with them as they mourn this horrific attack,” Vance posted on X.

Details of the Kashmir Pahalgam terror

Attack: Two to three gunmen came in fatigues firing indiscriminately on tourists in Baisaran meadows. The security has been beefed up in Pahalgam and forces have rushed to cordon off the area.

Fatalities: 26 people, mostly tourists have been killed in the deadly attack.

Injuries: Till date, 20 injuries have been reported so far.

Locals hold candlelight protests

Locals in Jammu and Kashmir's Baramullah district are holding candlelight protests against the deadly attack.

26 people, including two foreigners killed

Around 26 tourists, including two foreigners and two locals have been killed, a high ranking official said without getting into details, reported PTI.

Omar Abdullah drives to Pahalgam

Omar Abdullah was seen driving himself towards Pahalgam after the terror attack in the region's Baisaran area.

Anantnag police sets up help desk for tourists

Anantnag police announced a help desk for tourists . The contact details for the help desk are as follows:

9596777669

01932225870

9419051940 (WhatsApp)

Terrorists' chilling message to tourists

The wife of the Karnataka business man, who was killed in the attack, recounted the horror, and claimed that the terrorists were targeting Hindus.

“Three to four people attacked us. I told them – kill me too, you’ve already killed my husband. One of them said, ‘I won’t kill you. Go tell this to Modi’," the businessman's wife told India Today.

Arvind Kejriwal condemns terror attack in Kashmir

Former Delhi CM and Aam Aadmi Party chief, Arvind Kejriwal, condemned the attack on tourists in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam.

“The cowardly terrorist attack on tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir is extremely shameful and condemnable. Targeting unarmed innocents is an attack on humanity. The whole country is united in this sad moment, our condolences are with the victim families and we strongly condemn every form of terrorism,” Kejriwal posted on X.

‘…appalling and unpardonable…' President Murmu condemns terror attack in J&K

Condemning the terrorist attack, Droupadi Murmu wrote on X, "The terrorist attack on tourists in Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir is shocking and painful. It is a dastardly and inhuman act which must be condemned unequivocally. Attacking innocent citizens, in this case tourists, is utterly appalling and unpardonable."

“My heartfelt condolences to the families who have lost their dear ones and my prayers for the quick recovery of the injured,” President Murmu posted on X, formerly Twitter.

Karnataka businessman killed in terror attack

One of the victims killed in the terror attack has been identified as a 47-year-old businessman hailing from Karnataka. CM Siddaramaiah held an emergency meeting after receiving the information about the terror attack.

Amit Shah leaves for J&K

Home Minister Amit Shah has departed for Srinagar, after wrapping up a meeting in Delhi.

Anti-terror operations launched

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha posted on X that security forces have launched anti-terror operations to neutralise the terrorists involved in the Pahalgam attack.

"Anti-terror ops launched to neutralise terrorists. Entire nation is angry & blood of our forces is boiling. I want to assure the nation that perpetrators of Pahalgam attack will have to pay a very heavy price for their heinous act. My heartfelt condolences to bereaved families," Office of LG J&K said in a post on X.

Jaishankar condemns ‘cowardly terror attack’

India's EAM S. Jaishankar said: "Condemn the cowardly terror attack in Pahalgam. Our thoughts are with the families of the victims. Pray for the speedy recovery of the injured."

'Kannadigas are among the victims…' says Siddaramaiah

"Kannadigas are among the victims of this shocking incident," says Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah

Karnataka man killed in attack

Out of the five killed in the terror attack, one person has been identified as a 47-year-old hailing from Karnataka. The Karnataka government received the official information that the man is named Manjunath and is 47 years old, reported PTI.

'Death toll could be more than 20'

The death toll could be more than 20, a high ranking official estimated, without getting into details, reported PTI.

Reportedly, two to three gunmen came in fatigues firing indiscriminately on tourists in Baisaran meadows. The security has been beefed up in Pahalgam and forces have rushed to cordon off the area.

‘Will not be spared’: PM Modi condemns attack

PM Modi condemned the Pahalgam attack, stating that “ Those behind this heinous act will be brought to justice...they will not be spared! Their evil agenda will never succeed. Our resolve to fight terrorism is unshakable and it will get even stronger.”

Amit Shah to leave for Jammu and Kashmir soon

As per reports, Home Minister Amit Shah is scheduled to depart for Srinagar around 7 PM, shortly after concluding a high-level meeting in New Delhi.

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‘Will not be spared…’ says Amit Shah

"Anguished by the terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. My thoughts are with the family members of the deceased. Those involved in this dastardly act of terror will not be spared, and we will come down heavily on the perpetrators with the harshest consequences. Briefed PM Modi about the incident and held a meeting with the concerned officials via video conferencing. Will shortly leave for Srinagar to hold an urgent security review meeting with all the agencies," Shah said in a post on X.

Lashkar-E-Taiba offshoot claims responsibility

The Resistance Front (TRF), a Lashkar-E-Taiba offshoot, has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Omar Abdullah condemns attack

As per PTI, Jammu and Kashmir CM Omar Abdullah has condemned the attack as “inhuman,” calling it one of the worst attacks targeting civilians.

When did the attack happen

Kashmir Police said that firing shots were heard in upper meadows of Pahalgam tourist resort in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag district. The attack happened around 2:30 pm.

"I strongly condemn the cowardly attack on tourists in Pahalgam, which tragically killed five and injured several," said Mehbooba Mufti, former chief minister of the region, who heads the Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party.

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