Pahalgam attack: China backs Pakistan, calls for ‘impartial’ probe

NCP (SP) leader Supriya Sule on Sunday urged the Maharashtra government to award the ‘Nagrik Shaurya’ to the six victim's families from the state who lost family members in the Pahalgam attack.

The Baramati MP said in a letter addressed to CM Fadnavis "The nation stands united in condemning this cowardly attack. The bravery shown by the families during this horrific ordeal is truly commendable. Despite witnessing their loved ones being ruthlessly killed, they exhibited extraordinary courage."

Sule added, “These families must be recognized with the Nagrik Shaurya award as a mark of respect for their resilience and spirit. One member from each bereaved family should be provided with a government job in line with their educational qualifications."

Karnataka deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar on Sunday while reacting to the row over CM Siddaramaiah’s “not in need of war” statement following the Pahalgam terror attack defended his party, saying that Congress has taken a stand for the “country’s protection”.

"We want to keep this country united. So, whatever the CM has spoken, I dont want to comment on it.... India has to be protected and my party has already taken a stand on it..." Shivakumar told reporters.

"There has been a security lapse in this incident. We are not in favour of war. Steps should be taken to tighten security measures in the Kashmir region. The central government should increase security to ensure peace in Kashmir," he added.

BJP MLA Satish Upadhyay on Sunday assured that the central government would “avenge” the deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 people.

He said that the country has faith in PM Modi.

"The 1.4 billion people of our country have faith in PM Narendra Modi. Our government will undoubtedly avenge every single drop of tears and every single bullet that hit the victims (of the Pahalgam terrorist attack)," Upadhyay told ANI.

Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan on Sunday visited the house of N Ramachandran, one of the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack.

Vijayan spent a few minutes with the family, consoling Ramachandran’s wife Sheela and daughter Arathi.

All Pakistani nationals have to leave India by April 27, while those on medical visas have to exit the country by April 29. Amid this row, a war of words erupted between singer Adnan Sami and former Pakistan minister Fawad Hussain.

The row started with Hussain asking “What about Adnan Sami?” while sharing a X post about Home minister Amit Shah directing all states’ chief ministers to ensure that no Pakistani national stays in the country beyond the set deadline for their exit.

Interestingly, Sami is a naturalised Indian citizen, meaning that the singer got his Indian citizenship in 2016.

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Singer Shreya Ghoshal joined in the series of artists who cancelled their concerts following the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam.

Ghoshal was supposed to perform at Surat on Saturday as part of her “All Hearts Tour”.

China is unlikely to get directly involved in the “instability” between India and Pakistan in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack, due to the current geopolitical tensions, said a former Indian Army commander.

“Post the Galwan 2020 incident, after a lot of consultations and deliberations between the two countries, the stand-off at the last of the friction points has been resolved,” former Eastern Command chief Lt Gen (retd) Rana Pratap Kalita told PTI.

A “process of normalisation” has taken place after resolution of the last areas of conflict and bilateral mechanism has picked up, including talks to start direct flights and resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, he said.

The Intelligence Bureau has handed over a list of around 5,000 Pakistani nationals living in Delhi to the state police to ensure their return home.

The central government revoked all visas issued to Pakistani nationals, directing them to leave the country by April 27. Those with medical visas can leave the country by April 29.

The list includes the names of Hindu Pakistan nationals who have Long Term Visas (LTVs) and are exempted.

Madhya Pradesh Congress president Jitendra Patwari on Sunday expressed grief over the deadly Pahalgam terror attack and said that the terrorists have attacked the soul of this country.

"The terrorists have not only killed the people but have also attacked the soul of this country. Rahul Gandhi has said that we are with the government in every decision. 140 crore people demand that the government should take strict steps and take whatever decision it deems appropriate," Patwari told reporters.

BJP on Sunday strongly condemned the statement of Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack, with party spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla claiming that "every time Pakistan does a terror attack", there appears to be a "competition" among the Congress leaders to give "clean chit" to Pakistan.

Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday said that all Pakistani nationals in the state are accounted for, adding that arrangements for their deportation have also been made.

Talking to reporters, Fadnavis said, “As the state's Home Minister, I request you not to run any wrong news on this issue. No Pakistani national is missing in Maharashtra, and all of them have been found. Arrangements have been made to deport them all, and there will be no Pakistani citizens left in the state. Everyone will be sent back by this evening or tomorrow.”

Addressing his monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed anguish over the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam that killed 26 people.

“My heart is in deep pain over Pahalgam attack, every Indian is seething with anger,” he said.

The PM also reassured the victims of the terrorist attack of justice.

The Vishva Hindu Parishad will hold “Aakrosh Yatra’ at multiple places across Delhi on Sunday to condemn the Pahalgam terror attack.

VHP leader Vinod Bansal told ANI that the yatra will begin from ISKCON Temple East of Kailash at 5 pm and another will begin from Badarput at 5:45 pm.

"Today, an 'Aakrosh Yatra' will start from ISKCON Temple, East of Kailash at 5 pm, and another from Badarpur at 5:45 pm... Every citizen of India now has to forget everything and unite to eradicate anti-India elements," Bansal said.

The National Investigation Agency, probing the Pahalgam terror attack, said that it was questioning eyewitnesses in minute detail.

"The teams, overseen by an IG, a DIG and an SP from the anti-terror agency, are examining the eyewitnesses who had seen the horrifying attack unfold before their eyes at the peaceful and picturesque Baisaran valley. The eyewitnesses are being questioned in minute detail to piece together the sequence of events that led to one of the worst terror attacks in Kashmir," NIA said in a statement.

"The entry and exit points are being closely scrutinised by the investigating NIA teams for clues to the modus operandi of the terrorists. The teams, aided by forensic and other experts, are checking the entire area thoroughly for evidence to expose the terror conspiracy that led to the horrendous attack that has shocked the nation," it added.

Madhya Pradesh chief minister Mohan Yadav has directed officials to ensure the safety of students from Jammu and Kashmir in the state amid the tensions that have followed the Pahalgam terror attack.

Yadav also directed the administration to ensure the return of Pakistani nationals as per the directives of the Union Home Ministry.

BJP MP Tejasvi Surya condemned Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah’s “not in favour of war” with Pakistan remark after the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam and said that it was for the leadership of the government to take that call.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's statement that we must not take severe action against Pakistan is highly condemnable and objectionable. Who are we to take this call? It is for the army. It is for the leadership of the government to take this call. For those who have massacred our people brutally, if we don't take action against them, should we do Aarti? Should we give them some awards? Should we call them here and in front of the Vidhan Sabha and felicitate them?" Surya asked while speaking to ANI.

"The Chief Minister should realise that he represents a state where three people have been killed brutally by these terrorists, and the least he can do is demand strict action and condemn what has happened..." he further said.

Independent Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal on Sunday requested political parties to urge the government to convene a special session of Parliament as early as possible in the month of May in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack.

"On 25th of April, I suggested that a special session of Parliament be convened to show the nation's unity in this hour of grief," Sibal said, adding that, “I request all political parties to urge the government to convene such a session as early as possible in May.”

BJP leader Dilip Ghosh on Sunday came down heavily at Pakistani politician Bilawal Bhutto Zardari for his remarks on Indus Waters.

"Blood is already flowing in Pakistan. Al-Qaeda is beating them from one side and Afghanistan from the other... We have already shown them what we can do. He is still a child like he was earlier. It is Pakistan's old habit to make such futile statements," Ghosh told reporters here.

Teams of the National Investigation Agency, which took over the probe into the Pahalgam terror attack, are examining eyewitnesses at the scene of the incident.

The National Investigation Agency on Sunday took over the probe into the Pahalgam terror attack. The agency’s teams arrived at the incident scene in Baisaran, collecting evidence and checking entry-exit points, officials said.

All India Sufi Sajjadanashin Council Chairman Syed Naseruddin Chishty on Saturday slammed Pakistan over the Pahalgam terror attack and said that it is country that provides “five-star accommodation to terrorists”, reiterating that India will respond to the attack.

"Pakistan and its leaders are rattled. If blood is to be shed, it will be of those terrorists and their patrons who are protecting them... Now it is true that Pakistan is the safest country for terrorists and terrorism and they provide 5-star accommodation to terrorists. India knows how to respond, and it will respond. Very soon you will get a befitting reply,” Chisty told ANI.

Scores of South Africans gathered to express solidarity with India and pay tribute to the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack at a memorial service organized by the Consulate General of India in Johannesburg.

Rabbi Aharon Zulberg condemned terrorism in all its forms. “We know all too well the effects of terrorism... Today, we stand together with you. Let us work as one to mend this broken world, replacing hatred with understanding, love, and hope,” he said in his opening prayer.

Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Saturday said that Pakistan will be “brought to its knees so that they never think of resorting to such a despicable act again”.

He said that Islamabad was a country in “terminal decline” periodically using terrorism as an instrument of state policy.

In reference to the Pahalgam terror attack, Puri said, "I think they have miscalculated this time. They have dialled the wrong number because the leadership we have now is led by the Prime Minister (Narendra Modi). The statement the PM made from Bihar was that - enough is enough and now they will face the consequences.”

The Ministry of Home Affairs on Sunday transferred the Pahalgam terror attack probe to the National Investigation Agency (NIA). At least 26 people, mostly tourists, were killed after they were attacked by terrorists at the Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22.

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Former union minister Mani Shankar Aiyar referred to the punitive actions taken against Pakistan by India and said that the government is taking the required action.

"It is very early days yet for an outsider like me to comment on what the Government of India is doing with the backing of all political parties... I read the reactions from Pakistan. I think the matter is still being played out, and it will be too premature for me to make any kind of remark on this. Those who can exercise power and have the information required are thinking about it and taking the required action," he told ANI.