Pahalgam attack: PM Modi cuts short Saudi Arabia visit, leaves for India from Jeddah

Twenty six people, mostly civilians, were gunned down by terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam.

In the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack, Prime Minister Narendra Modi cut short his state visit to Saudi Arabia and decided to return to India. The PM departed from Jeddah in the wee hours of Wednesday.

PM Modi was originally scheduled to return to India from Saudi Arabia on Wednesday night. (AFP)

Earlier, government sources had told HT that PM Modi skipped the official dinner hosted by Saudi Arabia in view of the terror attack in Kashmir. They said that PM Modi will arrive in India early on Wednesday morning. He was originally scheduled to return Wednesday night.

Twenty-six people, mostly civilians, were gunned down by terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam on Tuesday. At least 20 people were injured.

Follow live updates on Jammu and Kashmir attack

Pahalgam terror attack

In what is the deadliest attack in the Valley since the Pulwama strike in 2019, terrorists opened fire at a meadow near Kashmir’s Pahalgam town on Tuesday afternoon. Among the deceased were two foreigners and two locals.

Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah described the terror attack as "much larger than anything we’ve seen directed at civilians in recent years".

The attack took place in Baisaran, a picturesque area located about six kilometres from the resort town of Pahalgam.

Terrorists came into the grassland and started firing at tourists.

The Resistance Front (TRF), a shadow group of the banned Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terror group, claimed responsibility, reported PTI.

Union home minister Amit Shah briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the attack and rushed to Srinagar.

PM Modi condemns attack

Earlier today, PM Modi condemned the attack and vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice.

"I strongly condemn the terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. I pray that the injured recover at the earliest. All possible assistance is being provided to those affected,” the Prime Minister said on X.

"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," he added.