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

Pahalgam terror attack live updates: An infiltration attempt was thwarted along the Line of Control (LoC) in Baramulla district, Jammu and Kashmir, on Wednesday, according to the Indian Army.

"On 23 Apr 2025, approximately 2-3 UI terrorists tried to infiltrate through general area Sarjeevan at Uri Nala, Baramulla (in north Kashmir)," the Chinar Corps said in a post on X. Alert troops on the LoC challenged and intercepted the infiltrators, leading to a firefight, the army stated.

"The operation is in progress," it added.

This infiltration attempt occurred less than 24 hours after the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, Anantnag, on Tuesday, which killed at least 26 people, mostly tourists.

Pahalgam terror attack live updates: A family member of Syed Hussain Shah, an Anantnag resident who died in the Pahalgam terror attack, says, "He went to Pahalgam for work. We received news of the attack around 3 pm. When we tried reaching him, his phone was unavailable. We reported the incident at the police station and later got full details. We demand justice and punishment for the culprits."

In response to the attack, security forces have initiated search operations on Wednesday to apprehend the terrorists behind it.

Pahalgam terror attack live updates: Manjunath Rao, a resident of Shivamogga, was killed in the Pahalgam terrorist attack.

His maternal uncle, Madhav Murthy, shared, "Manjunath's son scored 98% in the second PU exams, so he took his family to Jammu and Kashmir. Shivamogga MP, MLA, and RSS leaders are working to bring his body back. They had gone on a package tour about 8 days ago. The attack happened while they were eating panipuri. The terrorists told his wife and son to 'go and tell this to Modiji'. It’s tragic to lose anyone in such attacks."

Pahalgam terror attack live updates: Due to the bandh call by various associations in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri, all government and private schools in the district will remain closed on April 23, news agency ANI reported, citing the Chief Education Officer (CEO) of Rajouri.

Jammu witnessed widespread protests and a complete bandh, called by the J&K High Court Bar Association, Jammu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Bajrang Dal.

Bajrang Dal president Rakesh Bajrangi condemned the attack, criticising the failure of intelligence agencies and accusing Pakistan of killing unarmed tourists after asking for their names.

Protests in Reasi, Kathua, Samba, and Udhampur involved locals burning tyres, with schools, colleges, and traffic suspended across the region.

Pahalgam terror attack live updates: Chhattisgarh chief minister Vishnu Deo Sai, speaking to the media in Raipur, condemned the Pahalgam terror attack and expressed his condolences to the victims' families.

"India has always responded strongly to such attacks. PM Modi’s decision to cut short his Saudi visit and hold a briefing at the airport shows the gravity of the situation. This attack will not go unanswered. A worker from Raipur, Dinesh, also lost his life, and we are in touch with his family, offering all possible support on behalf of the government," he said.

Pahalgam terror attack live updates: In light of the current situation in Pahalgam, Air India Express has announced full support for its passengers travelling to and from Srinagar.

The airline is offering flexibility to reschedule travel for passengers booked on flights to or from Srinagar until April 30, 2025, by waiving all date change fees and fare differences. Passengers may also choose to cancel their bookings and receive a full refund to their original payment method.

To manage bookings, passengers can visit Air India Express Manage Booking or use the AI-powered chat assistant, Tia, by typing #SrinagarSupport.

Air India Express connects Srinagar directly to five destinations—Bengaluru, Delhi, Hyderabad, Jammu, and Kolkata—operating around 80 weekly flights. Additionally, the airline offers one-stop connectivity to 26 destinations across its domestic network, including cities like Agartala, Ayodhya, Chennai, Goa, Kochi, Mumbai, Patna, Thiruvananthapuram, and Varanasi.

"We are waiving all change and cancellation fees for our flights to and from Srinagar until 30th April 2025, in consideration of the prevailing situation. To change or cancel your bookings online, please visit: http://airindiaexpress.com/manage-booking or #ChatWithTia on +91 63600 12345 and type #SrinagarSupport."

Pahalgam terror attack live updates: European Union Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday offered condolences to the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack, stating that India would remain resilient through the crisis.

"The vile terror attack in Pahalgam today stole so many innocent lives. My deepest condolences to @narendramodi and every Indian heart grieving today. Yet I know that India’s spirit is unbreakable. You will stand strong in this ordeal. And Europe will stand with you," she said.

Pahalgam terror attack live updates: A group of tourists scheduled to visit Pahalgam today have cancelled their plans and are now heading back to Delhi following the terror attack in Pahalgam.

Terrorists attacked the popular tourist destination of Pahalgam in south Kashmir on Tuesday, resulting in at least 26 deaths and several injuries, officials confirmed.

Among the deceased, two were foreign nationals from the UAE and Nepal, while two were locals, according to officials.

Pahalgam terror attack live updates: Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge stated that he spoke with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and others regarding the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir.

"Late last night, spoke with Union Home Minister, Shri @AmitShah, J&K Chief Minister, Shri @OmarAbdullah, along with senior Congress leaders of @INCJammuKashmir about the despicable carnage in Pahalgam. The perpetrators of this heinous terror attack must not go unpunished. The innocent victims must get justice. Unity in action, in the wake of adversity, is the need of the hour. This cross-border terror attack should be responded with an adequate and resolute reply. GOI must talk to all political parties to ensure security in Jammu and Kashmir and make every possible effort to ensure the safety of tourists in the state," he wrote on X.

Pahalgam terror attack live updates: PM Modi held a briefing meeting at the airport with National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval, external affairs minister (EAM) S Jaishankar, and foreign secretary (FS) to discuss the situation following the Pahalgam terror attack after arriving in New Delhi, cutting short his official trip to Saudi Arabia.

Earlier, he was expected to arrive on Thursday night; however, he skipped the official dinner in Saudi Arabia to return in light of the deadly attack in Jammu and Kashmir that killed 26 people, mostly tourists.

Pahalgam terror attack live updates: Sameer Bhardwaj, a tourist from Delhi, told ANI, “We've been in Kashmir for the past three days. We had plans for Pahalgam, but given the current situation, we are leaving for Delhi. What happened here is deeply wrong. This is the first time such an incident has occurred in Pahalgam."

Pahalgam terror attack live updates: On Wednesday morning, Rahul Gandhi said, “Spoke with HM Amit Shah, J&K CM Omar Abdullah, and J&K PCC President Tariq Karra about the horrific Pahalgam terror attack. Received an update on the situation. The families of victims deserve justice and our fullest support.”

A day earlier, the Congress party criticised the government, urging it to take responsibility for the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir. The party accused the Centre of making "hollow claims" about normalcy in the Union Territory and demanded an all-party meeting to build consensus and keep political parties informed.

Calling the attack a stain on humanity, the Congress said it must not go "unanswered effectively".

Pahalgam terror attack live updates: Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed in New Delhi early Wednesday morning after cutting short his Saudi Arabia trip in view of the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam, which killed 26 people and injured at least 20.

According to Government of India sources, PM Modi opted to cut short his visit and did not attend the official dinner hosted by Saudi Arabia.

Pahalgam terror attack live updates: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed grief over the terrorist attack in Pahalgam on Tuesday, and reaffirmed Israel’s solidarity with India in combating terrorism.

In a post on X, the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office quoted Netanyahu as saying, "My dear friend @narendramodi, I am deeply saddened by the barbaric terrorist attack in #Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, that killed and injured dozens of innocents. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims & their families. Israel stands with India in its fight against terrorism."

Pahalgam terror attack live updates: Sheetal Ben, daughter of Vinodbhai Dabhi — a victim from Bhavnagar, Gujarat — said her parents were on a trip to Kashmir when the terror attack took place in Pahalgam.

"My parents are on a Kashmir trip, and during the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, my father sustained bullet injuries in his hand. But as of now, he is doing well; I have seen his interview. MLA, mayor, IG, SP, and all of them visited us, and they tried to contact my parents. I have talked to my mother," she told ANI

Pahalgam terror attack live updates: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha condemned the terror attack in Pahalgam, a popular tourist destination in Anantnag district, on Tuesday and pledged to bring the attackers to justice.

Terrorists targeted the prime tourist spot, killing several people and injuring at least 20, according to officials.

"I strongly condemn the cowardly terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam. I assure the people that those behind this despicable attack will not go unpunished," the LG said in a post on X.

He mentioned that he had spoken with the director general of police and other security officials, and that teams from the Army and police had been deployed to the area to conduct search operations.

"Directed the district administration and the health officials to provide immediate medical attention to those admitted at Pahalgam. An injured tourist has been evacuated to GMC Anantnag. I pray for the speedy recovery of all the injured," he added.

Pahalgam terror attack live updates: Air India and IndiGo will operate a total of four additional flights from Srinagar to Delhi and Mumbai on Wednesday.

Terrorists opened fire at a popular meadow near Pahalgam in Kashmir on Tuesday afternoon, killing 26 people, mostly tourists.

"In view of the prevailing situation, Air India will operate two additional flights from Srinagar to Delhi and Mumbai on Wednesday, April 23," Air India said in a post on X.

An IndiGo official confirmed to PTI that the airline will operate two extra flights from Srinagar to Delhi and Mumbai on Wednesday. In a statement, IndiGo said that to assist those travelling to/from Srinagar, it is offering waivers for cancellation or rescheduling, besides adding two flights from Mumbai and Delhi to Srinagar over and above the regular schedule.

Pahalgam terror attack live updates: Gulzar Ahmad Wani, president of the Pahalgam Taxi Association, told ANI, "I condemn this attack. These aren't just tourists; they are our livelihood, our families. We don't see them as tourists, but as family members. It feels like our own have been killed. I urge the government to thoroughly investigate this incident... Pahalgam has always been a peaceful place, and tourism is the backbone of our economy."

Armed terrorists attacked Baisaran, a scenic meadow surrounded by dense pine forests near Pahalgam, opening fire on tourists who were dining, enjoying pony rides, or picnicking. The attack claimed 26 lives, most of them tourists.

Pahalgam terror attack live updates: A cousin of one of the victims in the terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, told ANI that his brother, Shubham Dwivedi, lost his life in the incident. The family also heard that the firing began after the attackers asked for individuals' names.

Shubham Dwivedi, who hailed from Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, was among those killed in the attack.

Speaking from Kanpur, his cousin Saurabh Dwivedi said, "...Shubham Bhaiya got married on February 12 this year. He was in Pahalgam with his wife. My sister-in-law called my uncle and told him that Shubham was shot in the head. It is also being said that the firing started after asking for the names of the individuals... We have received information that the body will be released after 2-3 days after completing all the procedures..."

Maharashtra deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde on Tuesday slammed Pakistan over the terrorist attack near Pahalgam and said that there will be reaction for action.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah will teach a lesson to the terrorists and Pakistan, who has been backing them, Shinde said. "The game has been started by Pakistan, but we are confident that it will be ended by Indian jawans," he added.

Several organisations including the Jammu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) and Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) have called for a complete shutdown in Jammu on Wednesday.

The bandh call was given by the Transporters' Association, Jammu Bar Association and the Congress party.

"We have given a bandh call tomorrow as a mark of protest against the killing of tourists in Kashmir. We condemn it in the strongest terms. We urge Jammu people to join in, making this shutdown complete," JCCI President Arun Gupta told reporters.

Three tourists who were among the 26 people killed by terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam were from Maharashtra, officials said.

According to a PTI report, officials said that Pune residents Santosh Jagdale and Kaustubh Ganbote, who suffered gunshot wounds in the attack, have been declared dead.

Mumbai resident Atul Mone (45), a Central Railways employee, was also among those killed in the terror attack, an official said.

US President Donald Trump called Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier today to convey condolences for the victims of the terror attack in Pahalgam, government sources told HT.

Trump condemned the attack and said that the US stands with India in its fight against terrorism and offered all possible support.

PM Modi thanked Trump for his support, saying that India is determined to bring the perpetrators and supporters of this cowardly and heinous terrorist attack to justice.

The White House has said that US president Donald Trump will be soon speaking with Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding the terror attack in Pahalgam.

“The President has been briefed by the National Security Advisor, and he’s being kept up to speed as more facts are learned. What we know already is dozens were killed and even more were injured in a brutal terrorist attack in a popular tourist location in South Kashmir,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Tuesday.

Various political parties in Jammu and Kashmir called for a shutdown in Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday as a mark of protests against the terror attack in Pahalgam.

The ruling National Conference backed the bandh call and said, On the instruction of the Party President, JKNC joins the collective call for a bandh in strong condemnation of the Pahalgam terror attack. We appeal to the people of J&K to ensure the 'hartal' called by religious and social leaders is a complete success."