Pahalgam attack: ‘MEA says attack came in wake of 'successful elections, economic growth and development’

Pahalgam terror attack live: Prime Minister Narendra Modi's planned visit to Kanpur on April 24, where he was set to inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for development projects worth over ₹20,000 crore, has been cancelled in the wake of the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed 26 lives.

The cancellation comes as a mark of respect, particularly in memory of Shubham, a young man from Kanpur who was among the victims. Given the grief and sombre sentiments prevailing among the people, it was deemed inappropriate to hold any celebratory or formal public events in the city at this time.

However, the Prime Minister will still participate in a pre-scheduled official event in Madhubani, Bihar, on April 24, to mark Panchayati Raj Diwas. The programme will also be attended virtually by people from across the country.

Pahalgam terror attack live: AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi on Wednesday claimed that the Pahalgam terror attack was due to an intelligence failure.

He urged the Narendra Modi government to be held accountable for the incident, describing the attack as more dangerous, condemnable, and painful than the Uri and Pulwama attacks.

Speaking to the media, the Hyderabad MP condemned the attack strongly and expressed hope that the government would punish the terrorists and provide justice to the victims' families promptly.

"The terrorists indiscriminately killed innocent people after asking their religion in Pahalgam. We strongly condemn this. We expect the government would take strict action. Another important thing is that this is also an intelligence failure," he said.

Pahalgam terror attack live: A team from the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrived at the site of the Pahalgam terror attack on Wednesday to support the Jammu and Kashmir Police in their investigation.

Meanwhile, the Indian Army and J&K Police have initiated a search operation in the Baisran area of Pahalgam, Anantnag, to apprehend those responsible for the attack. Additionally, the Delhi Police has been instructed to monitor tourist spots and other key locations closely.

Pahalgam terror attack live: Indian cricket stars Virat Kohli and Hardik Pandya shared their heartfelt condolences following the deadly terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on Tuesday.

Virat Kohli, the former Indian captain, took to Instagram, expressing his sorrow: "Deeply saddened by the heinous attack in Pahalgam on innocent people. Heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims. Praying for peace and strength to families of all those who lost their lives and justice to be served for this cruel act," he wrote.

All-rounder Hardik Pandya also shared his grief on Instagram, stating, "Devastated by the news from Pahalgam. My thoughts are with those affected and their families," he wrote.

Pahalgam terror attack live: Several celebrities, including Anushka Sharma, Kareena Kapoor, and Ram Charan, have expressed shock and grief over the tragic terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed 26 lives. The stars took to social media to convey their condolences, share their anguish, and pay tribute to the victims and their families, condemning the horrific violence.

Pahalgam terror attack live: Union home minister Amit Shah, in an emotional tribute on X, shared photos from the wreath-laying ceremony for the 26 victims of the Pahalgam terror attack. “With a heavy heart, paid last respects to the deceased of the Pahalgam terror attack. Bharat will not bend to terror. The culprits of this dastardly terror attack will not be spared,” he wrote.

Shah also met with the bereaved families, who were visibly devastated. Their sorrow was evident as they expressed their anguish to the Home Minister, grappling with the unbearable loss of their loved ones.

After meeting the families, Shah visited Baisaran meadow — the site where the brutal attack took place — a scenic tourist spot that became the epicentre of one of the worst terror strikes since the abrogation of Article 370, deeply shocking the nation.

Pahalgam terror attack live: PDP president Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday led a protest march in Srinagar against the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed the lives of 26 people, most of them tourists.

Mufti said, “This was an attack not just by the terrorists on the people but also on our Kashmiriyat and us. I request the Union Home Minister to find out who the perpetrators were so that they can be punished. We are ashamed that this incident happened in Kashmir, and we stand with those affected.”

Joined by party leaders and workers, Mufti began the march from the PDP headquarters near Sher-e-Kashmir Park.

The demonstrators carried placards with messages like "this is an attack on all of us", "killing innocents is an act of terror", and "stop innocent killings", as they made their way to the Lal Chowk city centre, where the protest concluded.

Pahalgam terror attack live: Reacting to the Pahalgam terror attack, NCP-SCP MP Supriya Sule told the media, "It is our responsibility to bring back our people safely. We are in touch with the J&K Administration. I demand that airfare and railway ticket fares be subsidised to facilitate the return of our people."

Earlier, the office of Maharashtra deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde confirmed that five people from the state were among those killed in the attack.

Pahalgam terror attack live: West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee confirmed on Wednesday via X that three of the victims from the Pahalgam attack were from West Bengal, and arrangements are being made to return their bodies.

“As per latest updated information made available to us, 3 persons from our State have died in the most unfortunate Kashmir violence. All arrangements are being put up by our administration at Delhi Airport to help the family members of the victims and their onward journey to Kolkata. Flight is likely to arrive Kolkata at 8.30 pm today. Our Resident Commissioner's office in Delhi is in touch with the family members. I am personally overseeing and our senior officers are working hands on. A grim hour for all of us,” she said.

“Our victims are: Bitan Adhikari (of Baishnabghata, Kolkata), Samir Guha (Sakher Bazar, Kolkata), and Manish Ranjan (Jhalda, Purulia). No word is enough as condolence for their families, even while my heart goes out to them. We stand by the families,” she added.

Pahalgam terror attack live: PDP president Mehbooba Mufti led a protest march in Srinagar condemning the Pahalgam terror attack on tourists. Peaceful demonstrations were held across various locations, denouncing the attack.

Political parties, socio-religious organisations, trade bodies, and civil society groups, including the ruling National Conference (NC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), People's Conference, and Apni Party, called for a Kashmir-wide shutdown to protest the killings in Baisaran meadows.

In a powerful gesture of solidarity and grief, several Kashmir newspapers printed their front pages black on Wednesday, with bold headlines in white or red, reflecting the collective sorrow over the tragic attack.

Pahalgam terror attack live: Union home minister Amit Shah arrived at Baisaran meadow, the site of the Pahalgam terror attack

The terrorist attack took place in Baisaran meadow, about five kilometres from the resort town of Pahalgam.

Police said terrorists opened fire at Baisaran, a popular tourist spot near Kashmir’s Pahalgam town, on Tuesday afternoon, killing 26 people, mostly tourists from other states, in what is the deadliest attack in the Valley since the Pulwama strike in 2019.

Pahalgam terror attack live: The Jammu and Kashmir government has announced an ex-gratia of ₹10 lakh for the family of each deceased victim in the Pahalgam terrorist attack. Those seriously injured will receive ₹2 lakh, while those with minor injuries will be given ₹1 lakh.

Pahalgam terror attack live: Andhra Pradesh deputy chief minister and JanaSena Party chief Pawan Kalyan on Wednesday announced a three-day mourning period to honour the victims of the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Baisaran that claimed 28 lives.

According to an official release, all JanaSena offices will lower party flags to half-mast, hold candlelight vigils, and organise human chains as a tribute to those who lost their lives and as a strong message against terrorism.

Pawan Kalyan conveyed deep sorrow over the tragic incident and extended his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. He has instructed that mourning activities begin Wednesday morning across all party offices.

Pahalgam terror attack live: Congress MP KC Venugopal and J&K Congress President Tariq Hameed Karra paid homage to the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack in Srinagar.

Meanwhile, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and former party chief Rahul Gandhi have spoken to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, and senior party leaders from the union territory to gather details on Tuesday’s brutal terror attack in Pahalgam. They emphasised that the victims' families must receive justice.

Pahalgam terror attack live: Indian Army personnel reached Baisaran meadow on Wednesday, the site of the devastating terror attack that occurred a day earlier, claiming several lives and injuring many others.

Regarded as one of the most severe attacks since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, the incident has prompted intensified security measures. Search operations have been launched to track down the attackers. The usually busy tourist spot now appears deserted, with visuals showing empty streets. In response, various organisations have called for a bandh across Jammu to protest the killings.

Pahalgam terror attack live: Home minister Amit Shah is meeting the families of the victims of the Pahalgam terrorist attack in Srinagar.

Mother of Pahalgam terror attack victim Manjunath said she had asked him not to go to Kashmir.

"We were watching TV yesterday when we got this information. Several leaders have met us. They (Manjunath) went on Friday. I asked them not to go there, but they convinced me and went to Kashmir. They called me the day before yesterday. They said they're going to a remote area for rounds and activities, but they haven't called us for the last two days. Govt authorities are there, they'll be coming tomorrow...," news agency ANI quoted her as saying.

Pahalgam terror attack live: Chinese Ambassador to India said in a post on X, “Shocked by the attack in Pahalgam and condemn. Deep condolences for the victims and sincere sympathies to the injured and the bereaved families. Oppose terrorism of all forms.”

The terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam on Tuesday left 26 people, mostly tourists, dead.

Pahalgam terror attack live: Union home minister Amit Shah on Wednesday offered tributes in Srinagar to those who lost their lives in the Pahalgam terror attack.

In the aftermath of the assault that claimed 26 lives and left at least 20 others injured, security forces began search operations on Wednesday to locate the terrorists behind the attack.

Pahalgam terror attack live: Markets in Handwara and Kupwara in Jammu and Kashmir remained closed following a collective bandh call in strong protest against the Pahalgam terror attack.

Security has been tightened in the region, and visuals from the area show deserted streets in what is typically a busy tourist spot. Several organisations have also called for a Jammu bandh in response to the attack.

Pahalgam terror attack live: BJP leader Ravinder Raina strongly condemned the Pahalgam terror attack, calling it "a heinous and cowardly crime by Pakistan-backed terrorists."

He added, "Such brutal acts cannot be forgiven by any civilised society. Whenever peace returns to Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan seems to disrupt it. Innocent civilians were targeted, and Pakistan and its terror proxies will face severe consequences for this."

Pahalgam terror attack live: Haryana's Karnal MLA Jagmohan Anand visited the family of Indian Navy Officer Lieutenant Vinay Narwal, who was killed in the Pahalgam terrorist attack while on leave in J&K.

Jagmohan Anand said, "This tragic incident cannot be condemned enough... I appeal to the Prime Minister that the time has come to teach a lesson to the land from which terrorism is flourishing. PoK should be made a part of India so that the country gets the message that there is a capable government in the country... Even God will not forgive them (attackers) for such brutal murders. The people of Kashmir will also have to come out on the streets and unite against this incident because their livelihood has also been affected..."

Pahalgam terror attack live: Defence officials confirmed that the Indian Army's ALH Dhruv helicopters have been cleared to operate in and around Srinagar as part of ongoing counter-terrorism operations following the Pahalgam terror attack on tourists. The helicopters had been grounded for over two months after a crash involving Indian Coast Guard officers in Porbandar.

Pahalgam terror attack live: The coffins of the terror attack victims have been brought to Srinagar airport, with several state government representatives arriving to assist in repatriating the victims and tourists to their respective states, news agency ANI reported.

As tourist movement increases at the airport, Air India has added two more flights to Delhi and Mumbai, scheduled for today, to facilitate the safe return of tourists from the valley.

Union civil aviation minister Ram Mohan Naidu discussed with Union home minister Amit Shah the arrangement of additional flights from Srinagar to Delhi and Mumbai today. The minister is also closely monitoring fares to prevent any increases and is continually evaluating the situation to address any additional needs. The ministry of civil aviation has arranged four new flights, two each to Delhi and Mumbai, and is in constant communication with airlines to increase services as required.

To enhance security in the wake of the deadly attacks, the police administration has installed concertina wires, and helicopters have been deployed to conduct aerial surveys and assist in the ongoing search operations in Pahalgam.

Pahalgam terror attack live updates: Karnataka minister Madhu Bangarappa visited the family of Manjunath, a victim of the Pahalgam terrorist attack, in Shivamogga, offering his condolences. Funeral preparations are underway at Manjunath's home.

Meanwhile, minister Santosh Lad arrived in Srinagar to coordinate efforts on behalf of the Siddaramaiah government, with other state ministers and officials also present on the ground.