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

The Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun condemned the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam, expressing opposition to all forms of terrorism.

Jiakun said, "China noted the reports. We strongly condemn the attack. China firmly opposes all forms of terrorism. We mourn for the lives lost and express sincere sympathies to the bereaved families and the injured."

Airlines on Wednesday operated 59 flights from Srinagar, including seven additional services, to ferry tourists and bodies of the Pahalgam terror attack to their destinations, along with 123 accompanying family members.

The Civil Aviation Ministry said air ticket prices on the route were being kept at reasonable levels amid a large number of tourists looking to return from Jammu and Kashmir in the aftermath of the terror attack.

The mortal remains of 41-year-old Prashant Satpathy from Balasore, who was killed in the deadly terror attack in Kashmir's Pahalgam, arrived in Bhubaneswar late on Wednesday.

Satpathy's funeral in Remuna area will take place on Thursday.

Andhra Pradesh chief minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday appealed to the people to stand united with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and support his "every programme" at a time when the country has been shaken by the terror attack that took place in J&K's Pahalgam.

"All of us should stand unified, with one word. We should not only extend support to every programme of the Prime Minister but also give complete cooperation. We should also be vigilant against infiltrators," said Naidu.

The mother of Rajasthan-based chartered accountant Neeraj Udhwani, who was killed in the terror attack in Pahalgam, demanded capital punishment for the terrorists and said that they "should be handed".

"India has brotherhood with everyone. A Hindu will never do such an act. Neeraj had come from Dubai for a wedding and had gone to Kashmir. I spoke to him on Monday. He was supposed to come back after five days," she said.

People's Conference chief Sajad Lone on Wednesday led the party's candlelight vigil against the Pahalgam terror attack, saying that the entire Kashmir was "shedding tears of blood".

Speaking to reporters, he said that the killings in Pahalgam were "profoundly regrettable" and described the attack as the "gravest in the past 30 years".

"All of Kashmir today is shedding tears of blood. These tourists were part of our hearts," he added.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also cut short his visit to the United States and is heading back home on Wednesday night. He will attend a meeting of Congress Working Committee (CWC) on Thursday to discuss the terror attack in Pahalgam, which left 26 people dead.

Lieutenant Vinay Narwal was on Wednesday cremated with full military honours at his native hometown in Karnal.

The naval officer was killed in the terror attack that took place near Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam on Tuesday.

J&K BJP leader Ravinder Raina has welcomed the CCS decisions on hitting back at Pakistan, calling them ‘bold’.

"Very bold decisions have been taken in the CCS meeting chaired by PM Modi. The biggest decision is to put a stop to the Indus Water Treaty... It's a big decision. Pakistan creates bloodshed in Kashmir and then the water from here goes to Pakistan, this is not acceptable. Now, Pakistanis will not get the SAARC visa. All Pakistanis who are in India should leave the country within 48 hours," ANI quoted Raina as saying.

The Gujarat government has declared a Rs. 5 lakh compensation to state residents who lost their lives in the Pahalgam terror attack, and Rs. 50,000 to the injured

The Gujarat government stands with full sympathy for the families of the victims of the terrorist attack on tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. The state government will provide ₹5 lakh assistance to the families of the Gujarati tourists who lost their lives in this attack and ₹50,000 assistance to the injured tourists from the state," CM Bhupendra Patel tweeted.

Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba has condemned the terrorist attack in Pahalgam in a letter to Prime Minister Modi.

Union Minister of Jal Shakti, CR Paatil, has welcomed the CCS decision to suspend the Indus Water Treaty.

"The government has taken a good decision. The perpetrators will be brought to justice," ANI quoted him as saying.

CCS condemned the Pahalgam attack in the strongest terms and expressed its deepest condolences to the families of the victims, foreign secretary Vikram Misri said in the press conference.

Strong expressions of support and solidarity have been received from many governments around the world, he added.

In a briefing to the Cabinet Committee on Security on the Pahalgam attack, cross-border linkages of the terrorist attack were brought out, Misri informed

An all-party meeting will be convened tomorrow on the terror attack-related situation. Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh are speaking to all parties, ANI reported, quoting sources.

The CCS noted that the Pahalgam attack came in the wake of the successful holding of elections in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and its steady progress towards economic growth and development, the release shared by the government said.

The ministry of external affairs said in a press conference that India would be unrelenting in the pursuit of justice against those responsible for the Pahalgam terror attack.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri informed in a press conference that the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) met this evening under the Chairmanship of the Prime Minister. The CCS was briefed in detail on the terrorist attack on 22 April 2025 in Pahalgam, in which 25 Indians and one Nepali citizen were killed. A number of others sustained injuries. The CCS condemned the attack in the strongest terms and expressed its deepest condolences to the families of the victims and hoped for the early recovery of the injured.

Strong expressions of support and solidarity have been received from many Governments around the world, which have unequivocally condemned this terror attack. The CCS recorded its appreciation for such sentiments, which reflect zero tolerance for terrorism.

In the briefing to the CCS, the cross-border linkages of the terrorist attack were brought out. It was noted that this attack came in the wake of the successful holding of elections in the Union Territory and its steady progress towards economic growth and development.

Recognizing the seriousness of this terrorist attack, the CCS decided upon the following measures:

(i) The Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 will be held in abeyance with immediate effect, until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism.

(ii) The Integrated Check Post Attari will be closed with immediate effect. Those who have crossed over with valid endorsements may return through that route before 01 May 2025.

(iii) Pakistani nationals will not be permitted to travel to India under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) visas. Any SVES visas issued in the past to Pakistani nationals are deemed cancelled. Any Pakistani national currently in India under SVES visa has 48 hours to leave India.

(iv) The Defence/Military, Naval and Air Advisors in the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi are declared Persona Non Grata. They have a week to leave India. India will be withdrawing its own Defence/Navy/Air Advisors from the Indian High Commission in Islamabad. These posts in the respective High Commissions are deemed annulled. Five support staff of the Service Advisors will also be withdrawn from both High Commissions.

(v) The overall strength of the High Commissions will be brought down to 30 from the present 55 through further reductions, to be effected by 01 May 2025.

The CCS reviewed the overall security situation and directed all forces to maintain high vigil. It resolved that the perpetrators of the attack will be brought to justice and their sponsors held to account. As with the recent extradition of Tahawwur Rana, India will be unrelenting in the pursuit of those who have committed acts of terror, or conspired to make them possible.

Anantnag police announced cash reward of Rs. 20 lakhs for information regarding terrorists which may lead to their neutralisation, ANI reported.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and others leave from 7 Lok Kalyan Marg, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's residence, after attending the meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security

The meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has concluded.

Parliamentary panel on Home has called off the tour of Jammu and Kashmir following the Pahalgam terror attack

J&K People's Conference chief Sajad Lone termed Pahalgam terror strike an attack on ‘identity’

“Our identity is our hospitality. Yesterday's terror attack is also an attack on our identity. We have to reclaim our history and heritage, and no one except the Kashmiris can do that. This land belongs to us. It is shameful for us that anyone from outside comes and attacks our tourists and our identity... We will determine our guests and ensure they are respected and safe... Even my father was killed by them (terrorists). They killed nearly 5000-10000 Kashmiris. They have not spared any religion. Kashmiri Muslims have been their biggest targets... What has happened is shameful for us because we couldn't save our guests. We were helpless... There can be no stronger message than this. There was an unusual quiet in the valley today. It was as if every house was mourning... The helplessness in the eyes of tourists will haunt us for all times to come,” Lone told the media.

J&K People's Conference chief Sajad Lone carried out a protest march against the Pahalgam Terror Attack in Srinagar.

J&K Minister Javed Ahmed Rana, after the cabinet meeting, vowed support to the LG for improving the situation in the valley.

“The cabinet has condemned this incident. It is a very sad incident. We share our condolences with the victims. As law and order come under LG, we will support in improving the situation here,” ANI quoted Rana as saying.

BJP MP Tejasvi Surya on Wednesday met the families of Pahalgam terror attack victims in Srinagar, PTI reported.