Pahalgam attack news: ‘Chances of conflict with India rising,’ warns Pak’s defence minister

Bihar Governor Arif Mohammed Khan on Wednesday met the family of Shubham Dwivedi, who was killed by terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam on April 22.

He said, "I told them, 'We stand with you in your grief. You're not alone; the whole country is with you. I'm sure that this sacrifice will lead to action against terrorism, and no one will dare to do it again, ensuring that no one will dare to commit such acts again."

US secretary of state Marco Rubio on Wednesday urged India and Pakistan to work with each other to de-escalate tensions.

Rubio spoke separately with Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif while expressing support to India in combating extremism and urging Pakistan to cooperate with the investigation into the Pahalgam terror attack.

US secretary of state Marco Rubio on Wednesday urged India and Pakistan to work with each other to de-escalate tensions.

Rubio spoke separately with Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif while expressing support to India in combating extremism and urging Pakistan to cooperate with the investigation into the Pahalgam terror attack.

Bihar Governor Arif Mohammed Khan on Wednesday met the family of Shubham Dwivedi, who was killed by terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam on April 22.

He said, "I told them, 'We stand with you in your grief. You're not alone; the whole country is with you. I'm sure that this sacrifice will lead to action against terrorism, and no one will dare to do it again, ensuring that no one will dare to commit such acts again."

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday accused India of "escalatory and provocative behavior" in a call with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, reported Reuters.

"India's provocations would only serve to distract Pakistan from its ongoing efforts to defeat terrorism, particularly from militant groups," Sharif said, according to the statement released by his office.

Pahalgam attack news live updates: The Indian airspace will not be available for Pakistani flights, a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) said on Wednesday.

The notice comes mere days after the deadly Pahalgam terror attack that resulted in the death of 26 people, including 25 Indians. The attack, which also injured several other tourists at the Jammu and Kashmir resort town, happened last Tuesday.

Pahalgam attack news live updates: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said on Wednesday that those responsible for the Pahalgam terror attack must face consequences for their actions, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi must take strong action without delay.

"The prime minister has to take action. Action has to be clear and strong. The prime minister must not dilly dally and needs to act. He can act in whatever time frame he thinks necessary," Gandhi said.

Speaking to the media at the AICC headquarters, the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha stated that those behind the Pahalgam attack must understand that they cannot target India with impunity.

He said that the government has full support from the opposition, but Modi must act decisively and without hesitation.

Bihar Governor Arif Mohammed Khan on Wednesday met the family of Shubham Dwivedi, who was killed by terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam on April 22.

He said, "I told them, 'We stand with you in your grief. You're not alone; the whole country is with you. I'm sure that this sacrifice will lead to action against terrorism, and no one will dare to do it again, ensuring that no one will dare to commit such acts again."

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday accused India of "escalatory and provocative behavior" in a call with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, reported Reuters.

"India's provocations would only serve to distract Pakistan from its ongoing efforts to defeat terrorism, particularly from militant groups," Sharif said, according to the statement released by his office.

Pahalgam attack news live updates: The Indian airspace will not be available for Pakistani flights, a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) said on Wednesday.

The notice comes mere days after the deadly Pahalgam terror attack that resulted in the death of 26 people, including 25 Indians. The attack, which also injured several other tourists at the Jammu and Kashmir resort town, happened last Tuesday.

Pahalgam attack news live updates: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said on Wednesday that those responsible for the Pahalgam terror attack must face consequences for their actions, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi must take strong action without delay.

"The prime minister has to take action. Action has to be clear and strong. The prime minister must not dilly dally and needs to act. He can act in whatever time frame he thinks necessary," Gandhi said.

Speaking to the media at the AICC headquarters, the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha stated that those behind the Pahalgam attack must understand that they cannot target India with impunity.

He said that the government has full support from the opposition, but Modi must act decisively and without hesitation.

Pahalgam attack news live updates: In a continuation of its diplomatic efforts to brief key international players about the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and its cross-border elements, India on Wednesday reached out to Denmark.

This comes a day after External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar spoke with foreign ministers from seven non-permanent members of the UN Security Council.

On Wednesday, Jaishankar had a telephonic conversation with his Danish counterpart, Lars Lokke Rasmussen, during which he is believed to have reaffirmed India’s determination to hold the perpetrators accountable.

"Spoke with FM @larsloekke of Denmark. Appreciate his support and solidarity over the terrorist attack in Pahalgam. Also exchanged views about our bilateral cooperation," Jaishankar said in a post on X.

His outreach to the foreign ministers of the UN Security Council’s non-permanent members is notable, especially as Pakistan is also set to serve on the Council for the 2025–26 term.

Pahalgam attack news live updates: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday held a phone conversation with his Kuwaiti counterpart Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya, during which the two discussed the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives.

The discussion came at a time when there is growing speculation over how India may respond to the April 22 attack.

"Glad to talk to FM Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya of Kuwait. Thanked him for Kuwait's solidarity and support in the aftermath of Pahalgam terrorist attack," Jaishankar said in a post on X.

In recent days, India has reached out to several global capitals to share details of the "cross-border" connections to the attack.

World leaders, including US President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, Jordan's King Abdullah II, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, have also called Prime Minister Narendra Modi to condemn the attack.

Pahalgam attack news live updates: Pakistan Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar was quoted by Dawn on Wednesday as saying that Pakistan “will not initiate any escalation but warned of a strong response if provoked.”

Pahalgam attack news live updates: Responding to allegations that the Pahalgam attack was religiously motivated, a Pakistan military official said during a Wednesday briefing, “Terrorism has no religion,” according to PTV News.

Pahalgam attack news live updates: Amid escalating tensions with India, Pakistan's foreign office spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan Dar on Wednesday criticised New Delhi for pointing fingers at Islamabad without a proper basis. He was quoted by PTV News as saying, “India was blaming Pakistan for the Pahalgam attack without any concrete evidence.”

Pahalgam attack news live updates: Pakistan's defence minister Khawaja Asif on Wednesday warned that the risk of conflict with India is steadily rising, even as various countries attempt to ease tensions between the two nations.

Speaking to the media outside Parliament, Asif responded to queries on the current security scenario, news agency PTI reported.

"Chances (of conflict) are increasing with the passage of time; they are not decreasing. Though many countries have been trying to avert the situation,” he said.

He further asserted that Pakistan would respond appropriately to any aggression from India but refrained from revealing the nature of such a response.

“If there is a violation by India, we will respond and the nature of our response will be determined by the Indian action,” he said. “There should be no doubt about our response.”

Pahalgam attack news live updates: The Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of India and Pakistan held a hotline conversation on Wednesday amid unprovoked firing by Pakistan along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir, news agency PTI reported

PTI quoted sources said the Indian side cautioned Pakistan during the exchanges. The discussion occurred on Tuesday, as tensions between the two nations heightened following the Pahalgam terror attack.

Pahalgam attack news live updates: Madhya Pradesh chief minister Mohan Yadav on Wednesday likened terrorists to "germs" and called for national unity in the Modi government's fight against terrorism following the Pahalgam attack.

Referring to PM Modi’s firm stance against terrorism, Yadav, while speaking at an event held at Janapav—believed to be the birthplace of Lord Parshuram, around 50 km from Indore—said the PM has resolved to eliminate India's enemies, including terrorists and their supporters. He urged citizens to stay united during this time.

Yadav stated, "Under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, India's flag is flying high in the world today, while some germs (terrorists) are seen buzzing like flies and mosquitoes. They (terrorists) have forgotten that we Indian citizens are descendants of Lord Parshuram. They will not be able to know where they have disappeared."

Pahalgam attack news live updates: Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi visited the family of Shubham Dwivedi in Kanpur on Wednesday. Dwivedi was among those killed in the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir.

During the visit, Gandhi assured the family that he would write to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging the government to convene a special session of Parliament to address justice for the attack victims.

Sharing his condolences in a post on X, Gandhi stated, "Today I met the family members of Shubham Dwivedi who was martyred in the cowardly terrorist attack in Pahalgam and consoled them. The whole country stands with the bereaved families in this sad moment. Strict and concrete action should be taken against the terrorists and the victim families should get justice. For this purpose, the united opposition has given full support to the government and has demanded calling a special session of the Parliament."

Shubham’s father, Sanjay Dwivedi, said that Gandhi backed his demand to confer official martyr status on his son.

Pahalgam attack news live updates: Following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, tourism in the Kashmir Valley briefly slowed down.

However, with conditions gradually returning to normal, tourists have started revisiting the region. Locals, who have strongly condemned the violence, continue to assure visitors of a safe and welcoming environment.

Several tourists shared their experiences, highlighting the warm hospitality extended by residents and encouraging others not to let fear or rumours deter their plans.

"We went to Katra, Srinagar, Gulmarg and also visited Dal Lake and Pahalgam. Everywhere we went, people were cooperative and welcoming. The situation felt normal," a tourist from Kolkata told ANI.

Another traveller from Kolkata, who came with a group of around 30 people, said, "We were a little anxious at first, but after reaching here, we didn't face any problems. Locals are treating us like guests."

BJP's Rajeev Chandrashekhar invoked Jawaharlal Nehru as he applauded the operational autonomy of Indian forces.

“Our Prime Minister has always been giving operational autonomy to the Armed Forces. Our Prime Minister is very clear, unlike the 1962 war, where Pandit Nehru told the Air Force not to be deployed. Our nation's interests will be kept first, the people who were killed brutally in Pahalgam, their justice will be kept first and the military, the Indian Armed Forces will be given a complete operational freedom to decide the time, place and method when this punishment will be met out to Pakistan and Pakistani terrors,” Rajeev Chandrashekhar Told ANI.

Pahalgam attack news live updates: Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday said that the people of Assam would firmly support the armed forces in case of a war with Pakistan in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack.

He noted that the coming months are likely to be crucial for the nation and assured that Assam would extend all possible support.

"We all know how Pakistani terrorists killed innocent people at Pahalgam last week. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said the terrorists will be pursued to the ends of the world, and our armed forces will serve them justice," Sarma said during a panchayat election rally in Goalpara.

"We don’t know whether there will be a war between Bharat and Pakistan, but if there is one, each person of Assam will stand with our armed forces and with Prime Minister Modi," he affirmed.

Pahalgam attack news live updates: On Wednesday, BJP Rajya Sabha MP Dinesh Sharma strongly criticised the opposition for certain remarks made by their leaders after the Pahalgam attack, accusing them of "seeking to become a hero in Pakistan" instead of supporting India.

Speaking to reporters at Uttar Pradesh Minister Gulab Devi’s residence in Chandaus, Sharma also alleged that some opposition leaders were being influenced by the "spirit of Jinnah."

Pahalgam attack news live updates: Pakistan's national carrier, on Wednesday, cancelled all flights to and from Gilgit, Skardu, and other northern regions in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir due to security concerns, amid rising tensions with India following the Pahalgam terror attack, local media reported.

According to flight schedules, Urdu daily Jang reported that Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) cancelled two flights each from Karachi and Lahore to Skardu.

Additionally, two flights from Islamabad to Skardu and four flights from Islamabad to Gilgit were also cancelled, as per aviation sources cited by the paper.

Pakistan has increased airspace monitoring due to growing security concerns amid tensions with India, the Express Tribune newspaper reported.

"For security reasons, all commercial flights scheduled to operate to and from Gilgit and Skardu on Wednesday have been cancelled," the report stated.

Officials noted that these actions are precautionary measures aimed at ensuring the security of the national airspace during the heightened regional tension.