Pahalgam terror attack: UN urges India and Pakistan to exercise ‘maximum restraint’

Pahalgam terror attack live: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday assured that steps were being taken to ensure the safety of Kashmiri students studying in other states. Responding to growing concerns online, he said he was in touch with the respective state governments.

His statement came in reply to an X post by National Conference spokesperson Imran Nabi Dar, who urged the CM to intervene amid distressing reports. “Numerous videos showing Kashmiri students nationwide terrified for their safety are being widely shared on social media. Requesting @CM_JnK @OmarAbdullah sb to immediately intervene and speak to his counterparts across the country,” Dar wrote.

Abdullah responded, “The J&K government is in touch with the governments of the states where these reports are originating from. I’m also in touch with my counterpart Chief Ministers in these states & have requested they take extra care.”

Pahalgam terror attack live: American singer Mary Millben has extended her support to India in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives, primarily tourists, and left several others injured.

The incident occurred on April 22 at the Baisaran valley meadow.

Millben expressed her grief and solidarity by replying to a post by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in which he strongly condemned the attack.

"My beloved #India, I grieve with you in this difficult time following the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Innocent tourists never returning home. Mothers mourning their sons. Women widowed. Children orphaned. My heart mourns with you. Grateful for the solidarity shared by @POTUS and @VP. PM @narendramodi and India, I too stand in solidarity with you. Now and always. I am praying fervently for you. #PahalgamTerroristAttack," she wrote on X.

Pahalgam terror attack live: An encounter broke out between terrorists and security forces in the Dudu-Basantgarh area of Udhampur, Jammu & Kashmir on Thursday.

According to defence spokesperson Lt Col Suneel Bartwal, a gunfight is currently underway, with the Indian Army and J&K Police actively engaged in the operation. Exchange of fire has been confirmed.

The confrontation comes just two days after the horrific terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed the lives of 26 civilians.

More updates are awaited.

Meanwhile, in a separate incident, the Army reported that at least two terrorists were gunned down on Wednesday while attempting to infiltrate across the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir’s Baramulla district.

Pahalgam terror attack live: Protests erupted across Jammu and Kashmir and other states on Wednesday in response to the Pahalgam massacre, with political parties, religious, and social organisations condemning the attack.

• Many groups declared that such acts were against Islamic teachings, calling for unity to confront the threat posed by terrorists and their supporters.

• Protesters raised slogans against Pakistan, burning its effigies and flags, while public anger over the killing of innocents poured into the streets.

• Candlelight marches were organised by people from various walks of life as a show of solidarity with the victims.

• In Delhi, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) held a candlelight vigil at Jantar Mantar, while Congress' youth wing conducted a candle march at its Raisina Road office.

• Several traders' associations in the capital joined the condemnation, holding protests with black ribbons tied around their arms. They also announced a Delhi Bandh on April 25.

• A joint candle march inside Jawaharlal Nehru University was organized by major student unions, including the RSS-backed ABVP, Congress-affiliated NSUI, and left-leaning AISF, all coming together to condemn the attack.

• The Muslim Students Federation (MSF) also participated in a candlelight vigil at Jantar Mantar to honour the victims and demand justice.

• In Kashmir, a shutdown was observed, marking the first time in 35 years that such a response was seen in the Valley, with political parties from all sides denouncing the killings.

Pahalgam terror attack live: The mortal remains of 41-year-old Prashant Satpathy from Balasore district, killed in a terrorist attack at Kashmir's Pahalgam, arrived here late Wednesday night.

Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi on Thursday said, “ I express my deep condolences on the passing away of Balasaore resident Prashant Satpathy, who was killed in the Pahalgam terror attack. The state government stands with the family. The government will give financial assistance of ₹20 lakhs and a job to the deceased's wife. We will also support the education of the child of the deceased.”

Pahalgam terror attack live: In Bengaluru, Karnataka Minister Ramalinga Reddy paid his respects to Bharat Bhushan, who lost his life in the Pahalgam terror attack.

He stated, "The Chief Minister and I have spoken to the grieving family... The funeral will be held at 3 pm, and I will attend... Such incidents should never happen; the central government must take strong action... We must stand united against Pakistan... We fully support the central government, and they should take decisive action."

Pahalgam terror attack live: A spiritual trip to Kashmir turned into a tragedy for a father-son duo from Gujarat who lost their lives in the Pahalgam terror attack.

According to sources, Yatish Parmar and his son Smit, residents of the Kaliyabid area in Bhavnagar, were part of a 19-member group from the city who travelled to Srinagar on April 16 to attend a discourse by religious preacher Morari Bapu.

Following the event, the group proceeded to Pahalgam in south Kashmir for sightseeing. It was during this leg of their journey on Tuesday that terrorists launched a brutal attack, killing 26 people, including Yatish and Smit.

In a separate but equally devastating incident, Suresh Kalathiya, a tourist from Surat, was also killed in the same attack. He had been vacationing in the valley with his wife and two children when the terrorists opened fire.

Pahalgam terror attack live: NCP-SP leader Sharad Pawar on Thursday paid his last respects to Santosh Jagdale, one of the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack, and also met with his grieving family to offer condolences.

The mortal remains of another victim, Kaustabh Ganbote, were also brought to Pune for final rites. Meanwhile, in Thane, the last rites of Dombivli resident Atul Mone were performed as family and friends mourned his tragic death.

Speaking to ANI, Rahul Akul, a relative of Atul Mone, demanded swift and strict action against those responsible. "There should be strong security there. Three families, nine people, went there. I spoke to his (Atul Mone) wife, who told me that he was shot dead in front of her after he asked if he was a Hindu. They were targeted, and three men were killed. They were all single bread earners, were killed. We want strict action against the culprits as soon as possible. They went for six days, departing on 22, and were meant to return on 27-28 April."

He further said, "I spoke to his (Atul Mone) wife, who told me that he was shot dead in front of her after he asked if he was a Hindu."

Rajasthan CM Bhajanlal Sharma on Wednesday paid his last respects to Neeraj Udhwani, one of the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack. Rajasthan Law Minister Jogaram Patel and state Congress chief Govind Singh Dotasra also paid tribute at Jaipur airport as Neeraj’s mortal remains arrived late at night.

Neeraj, a 33-year-old chartered accountant based in Dubai, was visiting India to attend a wedding. He and his wife Ayushi were vacationing in Pahalgam when terrorists opened fire on tourists, claiming his life.

As his body was brought to his residence at Forest View Residency in Jaipur’s Model Town, a large number of mourners gathered, chanting slogans like “Pakistan Murdabad.”

Offering his condolences, Law Minister Patel told reporters: "In this moment of grief, we stand with the bereaved family."

Pahalgam terror attack live: Friends and acquaintances of Hemant Joshi, Sanjay Lele, and Atul Mone—three residents of Dombivli in Thane—were devastated by the news of their deaths in the Pahalgam terror attack. Many said they were too shocked and heartbroken to express their pain in words.

Meanwhile, Neeraj Udhwani, a chartered accountant working in Dubai, had returned to his hometown Jaipur for a wedding and decided to visit Pahalgam with his wife Ayushi. He too was killed in the attack.

Neeraj’s mother, Jyoti, demanded the harshest punishment for those behind the attack.

"The terrorists should be hanged... India has close relations with everyone. A Hindu will never do such an act," she said.

Pahalgam terror attack live: The mortal remains of Santosh Jagdale and Kaustubh Ganbote, two Pune residents killed in the Pahalgam terror attack, were brought to Pune on a flight early Thursday morning.

The remains will be kept at their respective homes for people to pay homage before the final rites, which are scheduled for 9 am at the Vaikunth Crematorium, as per district administration officials.

Ganbote, who had been working hard to expand his farsan snack business, and Jagdale, who was on holiday with his family, were both victims of the tragic attack.

Pahalgam terror attack live: Jammu and Kashmir People's Conference chief Sajad Lone voiced his sorrow over the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people and described the incident as a direct assault on the Kashmiri identity

On Wednesday, Lone led a protest march condemning the attack.

He stated, "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."

Pahalgam terror attack live: In response to the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives, the ministry of tourism on Wednesday urged all tourism-related service providers to extend support to tourists stranded in the Union Territory and ensure their safe return.

V Vidyavathi, secretary of the ministry of tourism, also appealed for cancellation fee waivers for affected travellers, underlining the need for compassion during this difficult time.

"This is in the aftermath of the recent incident in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. It is requested that all the tourist service providers, travel agents, tour operators, Online Travel Aggregators (OTAs), tourist transport providers, hoteliers and all other accommodation units may provide all possible assistance to the tourists, including waiving off cancellation fees. Your support is greatly appreciated," the letter read.

Pahalgam terror attack live: BJP MP Nishikant Dubey welcomed the Centre’s decision to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty. He claimed the move would have a devastating impact on Pakistan and praised it as a bold step.

In a post on X, Dubey said that not just water, but even basic needs like food and hookah would be cut off for Pakistan. He asserted that BJP’s Sanatani workers would exact revenge.

"Nehru ji, the hero of the agreement to give water to the snake, who, in order to get the Nobel Prize in 1960, shed the blood of Indians by giving them water of Indus, Ravi, Beas, Chenab, Sutlej, today Modi ji has stopped the food and water. Pakistanis will die without water, this is the 56-inch chest. Hookah, water, food and water will be stopped, we are workers of Sanatani BJP, we will kill them after torturing them," he said.

On Wednesday, India announced a raft of retaliatory measures to send a strong message to Pakistan over its alleged backing of cross-border terrorism. These include suspending the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty and shutting down the integrated checkpost at Attari with immediate effect.

NCP-SCP leader Sharad Pawar on Thursday paid last respects to Santosh Jagdale, who lost his life in the Pahalgam terror attack, and interacted with the grieving family in Pune.

The mortal remains of Shubham Dwivedi, one of the 26 victims killed in the Pahalgam terrorist attack, were brought to his residence in Uttar Pradesh's Kanpur.

The Pahalgam terrorist attack, for which The Resistance Front, a shadow outfit of the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) has claimed responsibility, elicited a range of reactions from India's neighbouring countries, including Pakistan, Bangladesh, China and Sri Lanka. READ FULL STORY

Pahalgam terror attack live: UK Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Lisa Nandy, paid tribute to the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack by observing a moment of silence during a joint reception hosted by her department and the Indian High Commission in London on Wednesday evening. She conveyed her “deepest sympathies” on behalf of the British government and acknowledged the “very difficult time” the world is going through following the “appalling terror attacks”.

“The loss of innocent lives in such a brutal and senseless manner is a tragedy that transcends borders, and I want to offer our deepest condolences on behalf of the UK government to the families and to the victims and to offer our full support in their pursuit of justice and peace,” said Nandy.

She added, “The relationship between India and the UK has always been strong and deep, and at times like this, friends matter. So, on behalf of all of us, as the Prime Minister [Keir Starmer] has already said, we offer our deepest sympathies and we stand united with you in grief.”

Pahalgam terror attack live: On Wednesday night, the remains of Shubham Dwivedi, one of the tourists killed in the attack, were brought to Lucknow.

In a deeply emotional reaction to the tragedy, Shubham Dwivedi’s father, Sanjay Dwivedi, has called for the harshest punishment for the attackers, stating, "Action should be so severe that their seven generations would never dare to kill anyone again."

"Strict action should be taken against the terrorists. They (terrorists) said to my daughter-in-law that we are not killing you so that you can tell it to Modi. Action should be so severe that their seven generations would never dare to kill anyone again," said Sanjay Dwivedi, reflecting on the horror of losing his son.

Pahalgam terror attack live: In the early hours of Thursday, the mortal remains of Indian Air Force Corporal Tage Hailyang were brought to Guwahati Airport.

Hailyang, a resident of the Ziro area in Lower Subansiri district of Arunachal Pradesh, was one of the 26 tourists killed in the Pahalgam terror attack.

Assam minister Jayanta Malla Baruah and Guwahati City Police Commissioner Dr Partha Sarathi Mahanta offered floral tributes to the soldier at the airport.

Pahalgam terror attack live: Michael Rubin, former Pentagon official and senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, drew a comparison between the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel and the recent Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, which killed 26 people.

Speaking to news agency ANI, he said, "That is exactly what went on during the October 7th, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel. It was directed specifically against Jews and not only against Jews, but among the most liberal Jews who were most prone to wanting peace and normalcy with the Gaza Strip. Targeting a vacation resort, middle-class Hindus, it is evident that the Pakistanis are trying the same tactic now. It should be no more successful for Pakistan than it was for Hamas. And frankly, it's now the duty of India to do to Pakistan and to Pakistan's ISI what Israel did to Hamas. It's time to wipe out the leadership of the ISI to treat them as a designated terror group and demand that every country that is an ally of India, every country that is an ally of the world's largest democracy, do the same..."

Pahalgam terror attack live: The Chinar Corps of the Indian Army has seized multiple arms and ammunition in the Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir, according to officials on Wednesday.

In a post on social media platform X, the Chinar Corps shared that they recovered two AK Series rifles, five magazines, one pistol, ten kilograms of RCIED, and other war-related equipment from the district.

"Update: OP TIKKA, Baramulla: Two AK Series Rifles, five Magazines, one Pistol, ten Kgs of RCIED and other war-like stores have been recovered from the site. Identity of terrorists is being ascertained," the Chinar Corps wrote on X on Wednesday.

Pahalgam terror attack live: Reacting to the deadly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney stated, “I am horrified by the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir, a senseless and shocking act of violence that has killed and injured innocent civilians and tourists. Canada strongly condemns this terrorist attack. We offer our condolences to the victims and their families.”

Leaders from Russia, UAE, UK, US, France, Israel, Iran, and several other countries also issued strong condemnations of the attack.

Pahalgam terror attack live: Reacting to the deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which left 26 people dead, former Pentagon official Michael Rubin, strongly criticised Pakistan.

Speaking on the incident, he said, "...The only reaction that the United States should take is a formal designation of Pakistan as a state sponsor of terror and a designation of Asim Munir as a terrorist. The only difference between Osama Bin Laden and Asim Munir is that Osama Bin Laden lived in a cave and Asim Munir lives in a palace, but beyond that, the two are the same, and their end should also be the same..."

Rubin added, "It was shocking, but this just goes to show you that you can put lipstick on a pig, but it's still a pig. You can pretend that Pakistan isn't a terror sponsor, but it remains a terror sponsor, no matter how much we try to normalise it. As for the timing, just as there was a terrorist attack when Bill Clinton went to India, so too does it seem that Pakistan wants to draw attention away from Vice President JD Vance's trip to India. The United States shouldn't let Pakistan get away with it, and we shouldn't pretend that this is some sort of spontaneous action...."

Pahalgam terror attack live: India has summoned Pakistan’s senior-most diplomat in New Delhi, Saad Ahmad Warraich, and issued a formal Persona Non Grata notice for its military diplomats, news agency ANI reported, citing sources.

This diplomatic action follows the brutal terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on Tuesday, in which 26 people lost their lives and many others were injured. The attack shattered the peace of the once-serene Pahalgam area in Anantnag district.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a high-level meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) on Wednesday to assess the situation. The meeting, which lasted over two hours, was attended by key ministers, including home minister Amit Shah, defence minister Rajnath Singh, and external affairs minister S Jaishankar.

Later in the day, the ministry of external affairs outlined several measures taken by India in response to the terror strike during a media briefing.