Pahalgam Terror Attack Highlights: The government is working on a strategy to ensure that not a single drop of water flows from India into Pakistan, Jal Shakti Minister C R Paatil asserted on Friday following a high-level meeting chaired by Home Minister Amit Shah. Paatil told PTI that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has issued a slew of directives, and the meeting was held to follow up on them and Shah made several suggestions at the meeting for their effective implementation. “We will ensure that not a single drop of water flows into Pakistan from India,” he said.
Identify Pakistanis and deport them, says Amit Shah: Days after India took several diplomatic measures against Pakistan over the Pahalgam terror attack, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday directed all Chief Ministers to identify Pakistani nationals residing in their states and take steps to ensure their prompt return after cancelling their visas. Meanwhile, a day after the United States updated the travel advisory for its citizens, the United Kingdom also issued a similar advisory, asking its citizens not to travel within 10 km of India and Pakistan’s border areas due to rising tensions between the two neighbours.
Homes of 2 accused razed: The homes of the two men, suspected to be among the Pahalgam attackers, were “demolished using explosives” during the night in south Kashmir. While Asif Ahmad Sheikh’s house was demolished at Mongaham in south Kashmir’s Tral, Adil Ahmad Thoker’s house at Gurre village in south Kashmir’s Bijbehara was also blown up on the night of April 24-25.
The medical superintendent of the government medical college, Jammu, on Friday issued a circular to the hospital staff asking them to remain alert amid the “prevailing cross-border tension”. The superintendent also asked the staff members to maintain preparedness to meet exigencies.
Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi participates in the candlelight protest against the Pahalgam Terrorist Attack, at 24 Akbar Road in New Delhi on Friday. (Photo: ANI)
Days after India took several diplomatic measures against Pakistan over the Pahalgam terror attack, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday directed all Chief Ministers to identify Pakistani nationals residing in their states and take steps to ensure their prompt return after cancelling their visas.
On September 19, 1960, a pivotal moment unfolded in Karachi, Pakistan, when the then-Indian prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru and the then-Pakistani president Marshal Mohammad Ayub Khan signed a treaty to establish a partnership over the Indus River. But why did the two countries need to sign a water sharing pact? Read full article here
The Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), which has survived four wars, decades of cross-border terrorism against India by Pakistan, and a long history of antagonism between the two countries, was suspended for the first time by New Delhi on Wednesday. Read full story here
Special teams of the NIA have started reaching out to eyewitnesses including tourists who survived the deadly attack by terrorists of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) in south Kashmir's Pahalgam, officials said on Friday.
Armed with the latest gadgets like Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and drones, Jammu and Kashmir Police, Army and paramilitary forces continued their massive operations to hunt down the terrorists in the dense jungles of the Pir Panjal range, overlooking Pahalgam and the Jammu-Srinagar national highway.
Initial investigations into the audacious terror attack, which claimed the lives of 26 people on April 22, indicate that the number of terrorists involved could range from five to seven. They were aided by at least two local militants who received training in Pakistan, the officials said.
Even though the National Investigation Agency (NIA) is yet to take over the case, its teams have started speaking to the survivors in search of clues which could help in pinning down the terrorists whose attack has sparked widespread outrage and spontaneous protests in the Valley -- a never-seen-before development in the over three-decade-long history of terrorism in the region. — PTI
The Gujarat government is in touch with the Jammu and Kashmir administration with regards to tourists from the state stranded there following the Pahalgam terror attack, an official said on Friday.
The State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC) has established contact with nearly 275 Gujarat natives so far, of which 76 have expressed interest to return from Srinagar and Jammu, an official release said.
"On Thursday, the SEOC arranged a flight for nine persons from Srinagar to Ahmedabad. It landed here this morning. Moreover, the state government arranged train tickets for 21 passengers of Vadodara and three from Ahmedabad. The SEOC has started the process for bringing back 16 persons from Jammu and 26 persons from Srinagar," said the release. — PTI
The government is working on a strategy to ensure that not a single drop of water flows from India into Pakistan, Jal Shakti Minister C R Paatil asserted on Friday following a high-level meeting chaired by Home Minister Amit Shah.
Paatil told PTI that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has issued a slew of directives, and the meeting was held to follow up on them and Shah made several suggestions at the meeting for their effective implementation.
"We will ensure that not a single drop of water flows into Pakistan from India," he said.
Shah held the meeting to discuss the future course of action following India's decision to keep in abeyance the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 with Pakistan after Tuesday's Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 people were killed. — PTI
A National Investigation Agency (NIA) team on Friday visited the home of Pune resident Santosh Jagdale, who was among the 26 people killed by terrorists in south Kashmir's tourist hotspot Pahalgam, police officials said.
The anti-terror agency's team arrived at Jagdale's home in Karvenagar and made enquires with his family members, the officials said without providing further details.
"The two-member NIA team visited the residence of the Jagdale family between 5 pm and 7 pm. The NIA team spoke to the kin of the deceased person, including his wife and daughter," a source close to the family informed.
Jagdale's daughter Asavari and his wife survived the ghastly attack. — PTI
Muslims across Kashmir on Friday observed a minute's silence in mosques, where they gathered to offer prayers, as a mark of respect to the 26 people killed in the Pahalgam terror attack.
During the Friday sermons, Imams and scholars in major mosques of the Valley condemned the April 22 attack and prayed for the injured.
Muslims who gathered in the mosques observed a minute's silence to pay respects to the victims and express solidarity with them.
The Imams termed the attack unacceptable and said the people of Kashmir share the grief of the affected families and stand with them.
Such acts are against humanity and Islamic teachings, they said.
At many places, people also held protests after the prayers, raised slogans against the attack and demanded that the perpetrators be punished.
In Jamia Masjid in Nowhatta here, Kashmir's chief cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said the attack has left people's hearts bleeding.
"The manner in which the carnage was carried out -- more than two dozen people killed after ascertaining their identities and in front of their families -- is shocking and chilling beyond belief," he said while addressing the Friday congregation. — PTI
US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard on Friday took to X and wrote, " We stand in solidarity with India in the wake of the horrific Islamist terrorist attack, targeting and killing 26 Hindus in Pahalgam. My prayers and deepest sympathies are with those who lost a loved one, PM @narendramodi, and with all the people of India. We are with you and support you as you hunt down those responsible for this heinous attack."
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Friday said the Indus Water Treaty (IWT) with Pakistan that has been put in abeyance by the Centre in the wake of the Pahalgam attack was the "most unfair document" to the people of the Union territory and they have never been in favour of it.
"Government of India has taken some steps. As far as Jammu and Kashmir is concerned, let's be honest we have never been in favour of the Indus Water Treaty," Abdullah told reporters here after a meeting with various tourism, trade and industry bodies.
In the aftermath of the attack in which 26 people were killed, India on Wednesday downgraded diplomatic ties with Pakistan and announced a raft of measures, including expulsion of Pakistani military attaches, suspension of the Indus Water Treaty of 1960 and immediate shutting down of the Attari land-transit post. — PTI
Shops and other commercial establishments remained shut in Latur on Friday in protest against the horrific terror attack in Kashmir's Pahalgam in which 26 persons, mostly tourists, were killed.
The 'bandh' (shutdown) was called by various political parties and citizens' groups.
Shops and commercial establishments in Ganjgolai, Gandhi Chowk, Shivaji Maharaj Chowk, Rajiv Gandhi Chowk, the Market Committee area, New Renapur Naka and Nanded Naka remained closed.
Essential services like hospitals, medical stores, dairy outlets and blood banks were exempt from the shutdown, one of the organisers said.
Earlier, the city saw a motorcycle rally to express solidarity with the victims as well as a 'mashaal' (torch) rally. PTI
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is following the situation between India and Pakistan “very closely and with very great concern” and appeals to both governments to exercise maximum restraint and ensure no further deterioration, his spokesperson said.
“We were very clear in our condemnation of the terror attack that occurred in Jammu and Kashmir, on the 22nd, two days ago, which killed a large number of civilians,” Stephane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General, said at the daily press briefing Thursday.
Dujarric was responding to a question on whether Guterres has had any contact with the governments of India and Pakistan amid escalating tensions in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 civilians were killed. — PTI
Hurriyat Conference chief Mirwaiz Umar Farooq Friday condemned the Pahalgam attack, saying it was an "act beyond belief" and is "totally unacceptable".
Mirwaiz, who was allowed to offer the Friday congregational prayers at the Jamia Masjid in Nowhatta locality of the city here after four weeks, also asked the government to allow him to visit those injured in the attack.
Mirwaiz and the people present in the mosque observed a minute's silence before the prayers to show solidarity with the affected families.
"The killings have pierced our hearts. We heard that these people were first asked about their religious identities and then murdered in front of their families. This is an act beyond belief," Mirwaiz said in his address to the congregation at the mosque.
He said the people of Jammu and Kashmir, irrespective of their religion, strongly condemn the killings.
"Who understands the pain of losing their own better than the people of Kashmir? Who can feel the pain of the loved ones of those killed more than us? The incident has made our hearts bleed," he said. — PTI
Senior Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Friday visited Jammu and Kashmir, days after the Pahalgam terror attack. Speaking to the media after the visit, Gandhi said, "It's been a terrible tragedy. I came here to get a sense of what's going on and to help. The entire people of Jammu and Kashmir have condemned this terrible act and are fully supportive of the nation at this time."
He added, "The entire Opposition condemned these actions and expressed full support for whatever action the government takes. The idea behind what has happened is to divide society, and it's crucial that every Indian stands united and defeats what the terrorists are trying to do. It's sad to see that some people are attacking my brothers and sisters from Kashmir and the rest of the country. It's essential to stand united and together to fight this nasty action and defeat terrorism once and for all."
It's been a terrible tragedy. I came here to get a sense of what's going on and to help. The entire people of Jammu and Kashmir have condemned this terrible act and are fully supportive of the nation at this time.
Amid heightening tensions between the two countries, Pakistan's Senate on Friday passed a resolution rejecting India's "frivolous and baseless attempts" to link the country with the Pahalgam terror attack.
The attack in Kashmir's Pahalgam on Tuesday killed 26 people, mostly tourists. The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy of the banned Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, claimed responsibility.
Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar moved the resolution, which got across-the-board support from parties in the upper house of parliament.
"Pakistan remains fully capable and prepared to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity against any aggression, including water terrorism or military provocation," the resolution said.
The resolution, rejecting all "frivolous and baseless attempts" to link Pakistan with the attack, said killing innocent civilians was against the values upheld by Pakistan. — PTI
Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar said on Friday that the Pahalgam terror attack was a grim reminder that terrorism is a global menace that needs to be addressed by humanity in unison.
He also appealed to the people to rise above political, personal and other interests to prioritise national interest.
Bharat, he said was the world's most peace loving nation and her civilisation ethos reflected in 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' (the doctrine that sees the world as a family) was getting global resonance.
"We observed silence at the commencement of this conference. I join the nation in expressing profound grief and outrage at the heinous attack in Pahalgam that claimed innocent lives," the Vice President said speaking at the inaugural session of the two-day Vice Chancellors conference of state, central, and private universities of Tamil Nadu at the Raj Bhavan, Udhagamandalam. — PTI
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has summoned a one-day special session of the assembly on April 28 to discuss the Pahalgam attack, officials said on Friday.
"I, Manoj Sinha, Lieutenant Governor of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, in exercise of the powers conferred upon me under section 18(1) of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act, 2019, do hereby summon the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly to meet at Jammu on Monday, the 28th of April, 2025 at 10.30 am?," the LG said in an order.
The officials said the assembly session has been convened to discuss various issues in the aftermath of the attack that left 26 people, mostly tourists, dead.
The Jammu and Kashmir cabinet had on Wednesday decided to advise the LG to convene a special session of the assembly.
The Council of Ministers met here on Wednesday evening under the leadership of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. PTI
Under a grey April sky, grief hung heavy over Changampuzha Park, Edappally, on Thursday morning. A sea of mourners—across politics, professions, and generations—gathered in silence to bid a final farewell to N Ramachandran (65), who was killed in the Pahalgam terror attack.
His last rites were conducted with full state honours.
Emotional scenes unfolded as his body was kept for public homage at Changampuzha Park and later at his residence.
The body, brought from a private hospital mortuary, arrived at the park around 7 am. Accompanied by grieving relatives and close friends, it was placed for public homage, marking a sombre morning in the heart of Kochi.
As mourners gathered, many softly chanted the universal prayer "Loka Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu" (may all beings everywhere be happy).
A steady stream of people paid their respects for about four hours, some offering flowers, and others folding their hands in silence.
Many consoled his wife, Sheela, daughter Arathi R Menon, and son Suresh Menon. — PTI
Union Home Minister Amit Shah will hold a key meeting on Friday to discuss the future course of action on the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 with Pakistan, which has been kept in abeyance, sources said.
Union Jal Shakti Minister C R Paatil and senior officials of several ministries will take part in the meeting, sources said.
The meeting is expected to discuss the future course of action and how to implement the decision of keeping the treaty in abeyance, they said.
India has already informed Pakistan of its decision to keep the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance with immediate effect, saying Pakistan has breached its conditions.
India's Water Resources Secretary Debashree Mukherjee said in a letter addressed to her Pakistani counterpart, Syed Ali Murtaza, that sustained cross-border terrorism by Pakistan targeting Jammu and Kashmir impedes India's rights under the Indus Waters Treaty.
"The obligation to honour a treaty in good faith is fundamental to a treaty. However, what we have seen instead is sustained cross-border terrorism by Pakistan targeting the Indian Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir," the letter read.
India's decision to suspend the decades-old treaty follows the killing of 26 people, mostly tourists, in a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam on Tuesday. — PTI
Vice President of India Jagdeep Dhankhar said here on Friday that the Pahalgam terror attack was a grim reminder that terrorism is a global menace to be addressed by humanity in unison.
He also appealed to the people to rise above political, personal and other interests to prioritise national interest.
Bharat, he said was the world's most peace loving nation and her civilisation ethos reflected in 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' (the doctrine that sees the world as a family) was getting global resonance. (PTI)
Jammu and Kashmir's Lieutenant Governor (LG) Manoj Sinha met Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi in Srinagar Friday, following the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22.
In a statement issued by the Raj Bhavan, J&K LG has asked the Army Chief to take effective steps not only to bring those responsible for the Pahalgam terror attack but also to "intensify efforts to crush the infrastructure of terrorism and its ecosystem."
"Every perpetrator and supporter of the Pahalgam terror attack, whatever his location or affiliation, must be hunted and they must pay the heavy price for the cowardly and dastardly act against our citizens,” the Lieutenant Governor told the top army officials.
"The meeting also reviewed security mechanisms in place, various short-term, long-term measures and integration and coordination among the various security agencies," the statement added further.
The meeting was attended by Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, GOC-in-C Northern Command Lt Gen MV Suchindra Kumar, Deputy Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen Pratik Sharma and GoC 15 Corps Lt Gen Prashant Srivastava.
Congress MP and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition, Rahul Gandhi, arrived in Srinagar Friday, where he will meet those injured in the Pahalgam terror attack.
The Lok Sabha (LoP) and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi reached Delhi Airport Friday. He is expected to depart for Srinagar.
Kartarpur Corridor remained open for devotees to visit the Kartarpur Sahib gurdwara in Pakistan on Friday, despite the closure of the Integrated Check Post, Attari on the India-Pakistan border in Amritsar, following the Pahalgam terror attack
A devotee said, "What happened (terror attack) was really wrong...I am going to the Kartarpur Sahib gurudwara to pay obeisance..They (terrorists) targeted the Hindu brothers to spread hatred. Once the terrorists are held, everything will become clear."
The Pakistani nationals arrived at the Wagah Border on Friday to return home after the SAARC visa exemption was suspended following the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam on April 22.
"I came here to meet my mother and sisters. This time, we met so many loved ones, but we know there are people we may never see again the next time we visit India. In most parts of the world, travelling in times of need is not so difficult, but when it comes to India, the journey is never easy," the woman said.
The security forces Friday are engaged in a gunfight with militants in Jammu and Kashmir’s Bandipora district after launching a joint search operation for militants operating out of the region following the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people.
According to the officials, two security forces personnel were injured during the gunfight. A search operation in Bandipora district’s Kulnar Bazipora area was conducted after intelligence input about the presence of militants in the area, Chinar Corps said on X.
This is the third encounter in the last three days. On Wednesday, two militants were killed in a gunfight after the army foiled an infiltration attempt in Uri sector in north Kashmir. On Thursday, a jawan was killed in an encounter between security forces and a group of militants near Basantgarh in J&K’s Udhampur district.
The border gates of India and Pakistan remained shut during the beating retreat ceremony at the Attari in Amritsar, Hussainiwala in Ferozepur and Sadki in Fazilka on Thursday evening after the BSF “scaled down” the event in light of the Pahalgam terror attack.
At Attari, the Indian parade commander also did not move forward to shake hands with his Pakistani counterpart during the ceremony, which took place with closed gates.
The Attari-Wagah border retreat ceremony is a daily ritual performed between India and Pakistan. Conducted by BSF and Pakistan Rangers since 1959, it involves synchronised marches, high kicks and flag-lowering before sunset, attracting up to 25,000 to 50,000 spectators daily. Historically, the ceremony was toned down in 2010 for less hostility, included a handshake, and featured traditions like exchanging sweets during Eid and Diwali. Read Full Report
Countless mourners gathered in Jhalda town of Purulia district on Thursday to pay their final respects to Intelligence Bureau officer Manish Ranjan Mishra, who lost his life in Tuesday’s terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam.
The mortal remains of the 41-year-old IB officer were brought to his residence from Ranchi airport in Jharkhand and then taken to Jhalda, about 50 km away, following a guard of honour at the CRPF camp in Ranchi on Thursday morning.
Mishra was also posted for nearly six years in Ranchi.
Manish’s father Mangalesh Mishra, a retired headmaster of Jhalda Hindi High School, sat in stony silence, waiting for his son’s coffin to arrive.
“My whole world is shattered. He was my brightest son, the most innocent soul. I have no words … will anyone understand my pain?” he said. Read Full Report
Responsing to the Pahalgam terror attack, a day after it put the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) on hold, downgraded diplomatic ties and shut the Attari-Wagah border, India ratcheted up the pressure on Pakistan.
India formally informed Pakistan that New Delhi has decided the IWT be held in abeyance with immediate effect. It also decided to cancel all existing visas to Pak nationals with effect from April 27 and suspend visa services for them.
This move, a day after cancelling visas under a special SAARC scheme, will impact Pak nationals who come to India for medical treatment and those who visit their pre-Partition divided families.
Additionally, New Delhi advised its nationals to avoid travelling to Pakistan and asked those still there to return.
On Wednesday, India had also expelled diplomats and top defence officials from the Pakistan High Commission effectively halving the mission strength. Read Full Report
Top security officers of the country on Thursday closeted here for an hour at a high-level meeting chaired by Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, sources said.
Intelligence Bureau Director Tapan Deka, R&AW chief Ravi Sinha and a few other senior security officials attended the meeting which took place a day after the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) met in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 people, mostly tourists, were killed.
The top officials took stock of the prevailing situation in Jammu and Kashmir as well as other parts of the country and key national security issues, the sources said. However, there has been no official confirmation about the subjects discussed at the meeting.
Security personnel stand guard at a roadside, following a terrorist attack on tourists near south Kashmir’s scenic Pahalgam, in Srinagar, April 24, 2025. (Reuters Photo)
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said the opposition raised the issue of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's absence at Thursday's crucial all-party meeting on the Pahalgam terror attack as well as the "security lapse" in the incident but extended full support to the government in dealing with terrorism.
Kharge said everyone present at the meeting condemned the attack, which claimed 26 lives, and opposition parties asserted that they will fully cooperate with the government on this issue to give a message that the country is united.
Addressing reporters after the all-party meeting chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Kharge said the Congress pointed out that PM Modi should have joined the meeting because he has the power to take the final decision
French President Emmanuel Macron, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and Jordan's King Abdullah II on Thursday dialled Prime Minister Narendra Modi to condemn the dastardly Pahalgam terror attack and backed India's fight against terrorism.
The barbarism displayed in the terror attack is totally unacceptable, Macron said during his phone conversation with Modi, according to external affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba also spoke to Modi and expressed their support in India's fight against terrorism.
Jaiswal said Netanyahu "strongly condemned the terror attack on Indian soil" and expressed solidarity with the people of India, and the families of the victims.
In his phone conversation with Modi, Ishiba said terrorism cannot be justified.
-PTI
In many a Kashmir crisis, a frequent invocation has been: “aar ya paar” — or the decisive final battle — between the two nations. Yet, each time, India and Pakistan have walked back from the brink.
After the brutal terror attack in Pahalgam Tuesday, the old ghosts hardly buried, new ones are conjuring.
All Indian Prime Ministers, in the last four decades, have been frequently tested by a military crisis with Pakistan. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has faced more than one. But the current crisis could be far more demanding.
Read the full piece here
At the all-party meet called by the government to discuss the Pahalgam attack, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi says everyone present uniformly condemned the terror hit and offered full support to the government to take any action.
A group of 22 Pune and Mumbai tourists are returning from Kashmir after narrowly avoiding the militant attack at Baisaran, Pahalgam, on April 22. The group is travelling by train from Jammu to Delhi and will take a flight to Pune, arriving early morning on April 25.
“A 20-minute delay at the start of our trip saved all our lives, as we were just 20 minutes away from Baisaran when we heard the gunshots,” said Shilpa Sable, a member of the all-women family trip.
Here's what happened next
Pakistan’s closure of its airspace for Indian airlines is bound to lead to some pain for the carriers, which will now have to contend with higher fuel burn and longer flight times for their international flights bound for destinations to India’s west from the country’s northern region, which houses its largest airport — Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International airport.
West-bound international flights from other airports in North India, like Amritsar and Lucknow, are also going to be impacted.
The Indian Express’s review of recent flight paths of numerous international flights departing from the Delhi airport suggests that Indian carriers’ flights to Central Asia, the Caucasus, West Asia, Europe, the UK, and North America are bound to get impacted by Pakistan’s retaliatory action.
According to industry insiders, while it is still too early to assess the impact, the airlines’ costs are bound to rise, which could translate into higher airfares for passengers. Additionally, as airlines from other countries can continue to overfly Pakistan, they may get a cost advantage over Indian airlines on the impacted routes.
Read the full report here
It has been a convention to call an all-party meeting following an incident with serious repercussions related to national security, as was seen after the Pulwama terror attack in 2019 or during the India-China standoff in 2020.
It helps present a picture of national unity in moments of crisis and allows opposition leaders to convey their views to the government and be briefed in detail on the official position.
Targeting Pakistan following the Pahalgam attack, India on Wednesday downgraded diplomatic ties with it and announced a raft of measures, including expulsion of Pakistani military attaches, suspension of the Indus Water Treaty of 1960 and immediate shutting down of the Attari land-transit post.
The decisions were taken at a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju were present from the government's side.
Leader of the House in Rajya Sabha J P Nadda, Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi were present at the meeting chaired by Singh.
Those who attended the meeting included NCP-SP's Supriya Sule, NCP's Praful Patel, AIMIM's Asaduddin Owaisi, BJD's Sasmit Patra, TDP's Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu, Shiv Sena's Shrikant Shinde, AAP's Sanjay Singh, TMC's Sudip Bandopadhyay, RJD's Premchand Gupta, DMK's T Siva and SP's Ram Gopal Yadav.
- PTI
#watch | Delhi: After attending the all-party meeting convened by the central government, TMC MP Sudip Bandyopadhyay says, "Security lapses were discussed. We assured the government that all political parties will stand by the government, whatever decisions they take for the… pic.twitter.com/yWmdq2doJ6The government on Thursday briefed leaders of various political parties on the Pahalgam terror attack and heard their views at an all-party meeting in New Delhi.
At the beginning of the meeting, a moment of silence was observed for the victims of the attack.
The all-party meeting comes a day after the government announced a host of measures targeting Pakistan in the aftermath of Tuesday's Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed the lives of 26 people, mostly tourists.
- PTI
The decision to call an all-party meeting was taken on Wednesday, with Singh and Shah reaching out to various parties.
#watchpic.twitter.com/0Hf5XPcedK
— ANI (@ANI) April 24, 2025
Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi will on Friday visit Kashmir and will check up on the health of injured persons at Government Medical College, Anantnag.
With Pakistan suspending all trade ties with India, including that routes through third countries, the two-way commerce will now come to a complete halt, apex exporters' body FIEO said on Thursday.
Following the terror attack in Pahalgam on Tuesday, which killed 26 people, mostly tourists, India took a series of measures including immediate shutting down of the Attari land-transit post, used for movement of certain kinds of goods.
Besides, India has announced expulsion of Pakistani military attaches, and suspension of the Indus Water Treaty of 1960.
In retaliation, Pakistan announced suspension of 'all trade' with India, including that routes through third countries.
Commenting on the decision of the neighbouring country, Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) President S C Ralhan said India's bilateral trade with Pakistan is miniscule and is just 0.06 per cent of India's total trade.
"We have minuscule trade with Pakistan, which is constantly declining. During April-January 2024-25, the same was not even USD 500 million as against the overall trade of over USD 800 billion in the same period. The trade will now come to a complete standstill affecting supply of some key products to Pakistan, hitting their economy further," Ralhan told PTI. India's exports to Pakistan in April-January 2024-25 stood at $447.65 million, while imports were meagre $0.42 million.
| Financial Year | Exports ($ million) | Imports ($ million) |
|---|---|---|
| 2023-24 | $1,180.00 | $2.88 |
| 2022-23 | $627.10 | $20.11 |
| 2021-22 | $513.82 | $2.54 |
| Commodity | Export Value ($ million) |
|---|---|
| Organic Chemicals | $129.55 |
| Pharmaceutical Products | $110.06 |
| Sugar and Sugar Confectionery | $85.16 |
| Certain Vegetables | $3.77 |
| Coffee, Tea and Spices | $1.66 |
| Cereals | $1.39 |
| Petroleum Products | $11.63 |
| Fertiliser | $6.00 |
| Plastics | $4.16 |
| Rubber | $1.88 |
| Auto Components | $28.57 |
Note: Most consignments from India to Pakistan are routed via Dubai port.
- PTI
The Congress on Thursday said the cowardly Pahalgam attack masterminded by Pakistan is a direct assault on the values of our republic, even as it accused the BJP of exploiting the tragedy to promote discord and polarisation at a time unity is most needed.
The Congress Working Committee (CWC), chaired by party chief Mallikarjun Kharge, asserted that it is imperative that a comprehensive analysis is conducted into the intelligence failures and security lapses that enabled such an attack in a Union Territory, which is directly under the purview of the Union home ministry.
The CWC, which was attended by former party chiefs Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, general secretaries K C Venugopal, Jairam Ramesh, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, among others, stated that the deliberate targeting of Hindus was done to inflame passions across the country.
The meeting at the party's 24, Akbar Road office here started with leaders paying homage to the victims of the attack by observing a moment of silence in their memory.
-PTI
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge with party leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi during a Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting, in New Delhi, Thursday, April 24, 2025. (PTI Photo)
Mumbai's Lilavati Hospital and Research Centre on Thursday announced it will provide free medical treatment to individuals who have lost their family members or have been injured in the Pahalgam terror attack.
At least 26 people, mostly tourists, were killed and several injured when terrorists opened fire at a meadow near Pahalgam town in south Kashmir's Anantnag district on Tuesday afternoon.
"We at Lilavati Hospital and Research Centre are deeply shocked and saddened by the heinous terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir. On behalf of our entire board, under the guidance of Charuben Mehta (Founder, Permanent Trustee for Life, Lilavati Hospital), I extend our heartfelt condolences to the victims and their families," Lilavati Hospital & Research Centre Permanent Trustee Rajesh Mehta said in a statement.
"In this hour of national grief, we stand in unwavering solidarity with our fellow citizens, the Indian Army, and the Government of India. As part of our commitment to serve humanity, we are offering free medical treatment to those injured in this attack and to individuals who have lost a family member," he said. Those requiring medical care and support to contact the hospital immediately, Mehta said.
-PTI
A day after India took a series of steps against Pakistan in response to the terror attack in Pahalgam, the neighbouring country Thursday said it “shall exercise the right to hold all bilateral agreements with India, including but not limited to Simla Agreement, in abeyance”.
The agreement was signed by Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and Pakistani President Zulfikar Ali Bhutto after the 1971 war, and was considered a significant breakthrough.
What is the treaty? Find out here
Two days after the Pahalgam terror attack, teams of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) conducted raids at multiple hotels in Punjab, particularly in Amritsar and Ferozepur.
According to sources, the NIA teams arrived at the hotel premises around 4 am, and continued their operations for nearly five hours. The sources added that the raids were conducted in connection with calls made to phone numbers in Pakistan.
In Ferozepur, raids were conducted at the Taj Hotel, City Resort, and the residences of the owners of both establishments. In Amritsar, sources said, five hotels were raided. During these operations, the NIA teams reportedly seized mobile phones, laptops, and other digital devices.
Read more here
A Border Security Force (BSF) jawan has been detained by Pakistan Rangers after he accidentally crossed the Punjab border and talks are on between the two forces to secure his release, officials said on Thursday.
A constable of the 182nd battalion was apprehended by the Pakistan Rangers across the Ferozepur border on Wednesday, they said.
The jawan was in uniform and carried his service rifle. He was accompanying farmers when he moved ahead to rest in shade and was apprehended by the Rangers.
-PTI
After a traumatic experience of losing their dearest ones to an unexpected terror attack or a violent crime, many survivors feel remorseful for continuing to live while others were harmed or killed.
This is called the survivor’s guilt, which manifests as feelings of undeserved survival, helplessness, or regret about being at the site of extreme crime (in this case going on a holiday) and forever wondering if they could have done something to prevent it.
Then there is the shock of the incident itself, in this case a massacre, which may scar survivors for years. “It’s characterised by persistent symptoms like intrusive memories, nightmares, avoidance of trauma-related stimuli, and a heightened sense of anxiety and alertness.
This is what we call post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which needs to be treated at the earliest to help survivors, particularly children, process the tragedy and move on in life,” says Dr Shaunak Ajinkya, psychiatrist at Mumbai’s Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital.
Read the expert take here
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday briefed select envoys of G20 countries, including China and Canada, on the Pahalgam terror attack. The meeting lasted for 30 minutes, news agency ANI reported.
Following a threat video by the Hindu Raksha Dal demanding that Kashmiri Muslims leave Uttarakhand on Wednesday, Dehradun police say they have amped up security and taken down 25 “inciting posts” from social media.
A video has gone viral on social media in which Lalit Sharma, a Hindu Raksha Dal leader, says: “The incident in Pahalgam has hurt us… If we see any Kashmiri Muslim in the state after 10 am tomorrow, we will give them the right treatment. Tomorrow, all our workers will leave their homes to give this treatment to Kashmiri Muslims. We won’t wait for the government to take action… Kashmiri Muslims, leave by 10 am, else you will face action you can’t imagine.”
Months before elections in Bihar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday quickly switched to English in the middle of his speech in Madhubani to promise stringent action against the terrorists and the “backers” involved in the attack on tourists in Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir on April 22.
The PM’s switch to English in a speech largely focused on the state was meant to address the world, promising that the government would “identify, trace and punish every terrorist and their backers”, and thanking all nations who stood with India at this time of grief.
Read full report here
The horrific killing of tourists that has left the meadows of Pahalgam stained with the blood of more than two dozen corpses produces a sickening sense vertigo — like the fall of the falcon, “turning and turning in the widening gyre,” to borrow W B Yeats’ metaphor, Pratap Bhanu Mehta writes in his column for The Indian Express.
The moral issue in this attack is clear. There are no root causes, no mitigating circumstances, that can contextualise its enormity. People were targeted for their religion. We can speculate on the logic of this attack: Was it timed to coincide with a visit by an American leader? Was it planned to divert attention from Balochistan? To wreck Kashmir’s economy? Is the attack part of the Great Game, meant to draw in the Great Powers by creating a sense of crisis? But there is no point speculating on motives. In the end, it is the effect of this act that will matter.
We are at the edge of an abyss that has three dimensions. Click to read more
PM Modi signalled that India would escalate the matter, asserting, “Main bahot spasht shabdon mein kehna chahta hoon, jinhone ye hamla kiya hai un aatankiyon ko aur is hamle ki saazish rachne waalon ko unki kalpana se bhi badee saza milegi. Sazaa mil kar ke rahegi. Ab aatankiyon ki bachi kuchi zameen ko bhi mitti mein milaane ka samay aa gaya hai. 140 karor Bharatiyon ki ichha shakti ab aatank ke aakaaon ki kamar tod kar rahegi"
Here’s what he meant: I say in clear words, those who carried out this terror attack and those who planned it will get a punishment beyond their imagination. They shall be punished. It is time to render into dust the remaining land of terrorists. The resolve of 140-crore Indians will now break the backs of the masters of terror).”
PM Narendra Modi emphasised national unity beyond linguistic and regional differences, asserting, “Unmein se koi Bangla bolta tha, koi Kannada bolta tha, koi Marathi tha, koi Odiya tha, koi Gujarati tha, koi yahaan Bihar ka laal tha. Aaj un sabhi ki mrityu par Kargil se Kanyakumari tak hamara dukh ek jaisa hai. Hamara aakrosh ek jaisa hai. Ye hamla sirf nihathhe partyatakon par nahin hua hai, dekh ke dushamon ne Bharat ki aatma par hamla karne ka dussahas kiya hai "
Here's what he meant: "Among those killed, someone spoke Bangla, someone was Marathi, someone spoke Kannada, someone was Odiya, someone was Gujarati, and someone was the son of Bihar. Today, from Kargil to Kanyakumari, we are united in our grief over their demise. Our anger is also similar. This attack was not just on unarmed tourists; the enemies of the nation have dared to attack the soul of Bharat.”
‘Nation stands with the aggrieved’
Just before this, Modi said in Hindi, “Sabhi peedit parivaron ke dukh mein poora desh unke saath khada hai. Jin parivarjanon ka ilaaj chal raha hai we jald swasth hon iske liye bhi sarkar har prayas kar rahi hai. Is aatanki hamle mein kisi ne apna beta khoya, kisi ne apna bhai khoya, kisi ne apna jeewansathi khoya hai
Here's what he meant: "The whole nation stands with all the aggrieved. The government is trying its best to ensure all our family members who are injured recover quickly. In this terror attack, some lost their son, some lost their brother, and some lost their life partner”
After resolving to take strict action against the attack’s perpetrators and their backers, something that made the crowd break into applause, Modi said in English, “Today, on the soil of Bihar, I say to the whole world. India will identify, trace and punish every terrorist and their backers. We will pursue them to the ends of the Earth. India’s spirit will never be broken by terrorism.”
He added, again in English, “Terrorism will not go unpunished. Every effort will be made to make sure that justice is done. The entire nation is one in this resolve. Everyone who believes in humanity is with us. I thank the people of various countries and their leaders who have stood with us…The punishment will be significant and stringent, which these terrorists would have never even thought about …”
The sense in the establishment is that Pakistan is behind the attack, something that the neighbouring country has denied, and the Centre has already held the Indus Water Treaty in abeyance, downsized diplomatic missions in both countries, asked all Pakistanis in the country to leave, and sealed the Wagah-Attari border.
In this context, PM Modi’s speech marks an oblique resolve to intensify India’s response to the terror act beyond the decisions taken as yet, recalling memories of the Balakot strike of 2019 and the surgical strike along the Line of Control before that.
In a day of fast-paced developments, PM Modi spoke in front of a crowd in Bihar but addressed the world. Here's what he said.
The decision to suspend the IWT will straightaway give more options to New Delhi on how to use the waters of the Indus river system.
“For instance, India can immediately stop sharing water flow data with Pakistan. There will be no design or operational restrictions on India for the use of the water of the Indus and its tributaries. Also, India can now create storage on the Western Rivers, Indus, Jhelum and Chenab,” P K Saxena, former Indian Commissioner for Indus Waters, told The Indian Express.
India can also stop visits by Pakistani officials to the two hydroelectric projects currently under construction in Jammu & Kashmir — the Kishenganga HEP on Kishenganga, a tributary of the Jhelum, and the Ratle HEP on the Chenab — Saxena said.
Read more here in this special piece
India Thursday decided to suspend visa services, including medical visas, to Pakistani nationals with immediate effect. Delhi also advised its nationals to avoid travelling to Pakistan.
In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs said, “In continuation of the decisions made by the Cabinet Committee on Security in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack, the Government of India has decided to suspend visa services to Pakistani nationals with immediate effect.”
“All existing valid visas issued by India to Pakistani nationals stand revoked with effect from 27 April 2025. Medical visas issued to Pakistani nationals will be valid only till 29 April 2025. All Pakistani nationals currently in India must leave India before the expiry of visas, as now amended,” it said.
As the only major cross-border water-sharing treaty in Asia, the Indus Water Treaty plays a crucial role in maintaining peace between two nuclear-armed neighbours. Despite the wars of 1965 and 1971 and various geopolitical tensions, both nations have consistently upheld the treaty.
However, Pakistan’s objections to two of India’s hydroelectric projects — the Kishanganga project on the Kishanganga River, a tributary of the Jhelum, and the Ratle project on the Chenab — have created ongoing tensions. Pakistan claims these projects could impact water flow into its territory, particularly concerning irrigation needs.
Read more about the history and significance of this agreement here
Pakistan on Thursday called India's decision to suspend Indus Waters Treaty an "act of war," saying it was the lifeline for 24 crore of its citizens. Its response came a day after India's Cabinet Committee on Security unveiled a five-pronged plan, which included the closure of Attari-Wagah Border and reduction of its diplomatic presence.
Saying it remained committed to peace, Islamabad said
The daughter of N Ramachandran, who is among the 26 victims of the Pahalgam terror attack, has said that as she lay numb, holding on to her father’s body, it was a panicked call from her children that made her move away from the terrorists.
Ramachandran’s body was flown to Kochi on Wednesday night and will be cremated on Friday. He, along with wife Sheela, daughter Arathi and two grandchildren, had reached Kashmir on Monday for a short vacation.
Arathi said they first heard a distant gunshot when scores of tourists were lounging in the area.
What happened next? Click to read
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Thursday attended the funeral of Prasant Satpathy, a victim of Pahalgam terrorist attack who belonged to the eastern state and announced ex gratia of Rs 20 lakh and a job for a family member.
The CM also announced that the state government will bear the study expenses of Satpathy’s minor son. Condemning the terrorist attack that claimed 26 lives, Majhi said the Narendra Modi government will take appropriate steps against the perpetrators.
The last rites of Satpathy were held at his native Ishani village under Remuna block of Odisha’s Balasore district. His nine-year-old son, a survivor of the terrorist attack, lit the funeral pyre.
Hundreds, including ministers of the state government, relatives and locals, attended the funeral. Satpathy’s body was flown from Jammu and Kashmir to Bhubaneswar in a special flight late on Wednesday night, at around 12:30 am.
A group of eight tourists from Odisha’s Puri, stranded in Jammu and Kashmir, safely returned to Bhubaneswar on Thursday.
-Sujit Bisoyi
The Centre on Thursday announced that the movie ‘Abir Gulal’ starring Pakistani actor Fawad Khan will not be allowed to release in India, sources told The Indian Express. The decision comes days after the Pahalgam attacks which killed at least 26 people and left several others injured.
The United States issued an advisory after the Pahalgam terror attack, asking Americans not to travel to Jammu and Kashmir and also within 10 kilometres of the India-Pakistan border.
It was issued on Wednesday, a day after terrorists opened fire in South Kashmir's Pahalgam, killing at least 26 people and injuring several others. It is said to be the deadliest attack in the Valley since the Pulwama strike in 2019.
“Terrorist attacks and violent civil unrest are possible in the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Do not travel to this state (with the exception of visits to the eastern Ladakh region and its capital, Leh). Violence happens sporadically in this area and is common along the Line of Control (LOC) between India and Pakistan. It also occurs in tourist spots in the Kashmir Valley: Srinagar, Gulmarg, and Pahalgam,” the US Department of State's updated travel advisory for US citizens said.
It also asked its citizens to avoid going within 10 kilometres of the India-Pakistan border “due to the potential for armed conflict.” India on Wednesday suspended the Indus Water Treaty of 1960 and announced downgrading diplomatic ties with Pakistan, including expulsion of its military attaches, in view of the cross-border links to the Pahalgam terror attack.
Speaking about assisting security forces during the rescue operation following the Pahalgam attack, Irshad Ahmad, President of the Pahalgam ATV stand, said, "At first, we returned home with our bikes. Later, we got a call saying the situation had stabilised and rescue efforts were underway. Since Baisaran Valley is inaccessible by regular vehicles, we took our ATVs and headed there. For the past two days, we've been transporting police and security personnel to the valley on our ATVs."
"I personally transported Navy Officer Lieutenant Vinay Narwal and his wife to the ambulance. On the way, I checked his pulse and realised he had passed away. But I told his wife he was alive to comfort her in that moment. What I witnessed there was heartbreaking—I broke down and cried four times. We never want to see such tragedies repeat in our Kashmir," he added.
Pakistan on Thursday is holding a high-powered security huddle to formulate an appropriate response to India's move to suspend the Indus Water Treaty and downgrade diplomatic ties.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has summoned the National Security Committee meeting to discuss in detail India's “irresponsible actions” after what Pakistan called Pahalgam false flag operation.
Three services chiefs and important key ministers will attend the meeting, reported Radio Pakistan.
The National Security Committee will deliberate upon internal and external situations and “will review response to India's hastily taken, impulsive and impractical water measures,” Radio Pakistan added.
Dawn reported that deputy prime minister Ishaq Dar, while speaking to a private television channel late on Wednesday, lashed out at India's approach, calling it “immature” and “hasty”.
“India has not given any evidence. They have not shown any maturity in their response,” Dar said. “This is a non-serious approach. They started creating hype immediately after the incident.” Pakistan's Foreign Office, in a separate statement earlier on Wednesday, expressed regret over the loss of life. (PTI)
An Indian Army soldier was killed as an encounter between security forces and a group of militants broke out near Basantgarh in J&K’s Udhampur district on Thursday morning, two days after a militant attack on tourists in south Kashmir’s Pahalgam.
The Udhampur encounter began after security forces established contact with militants during a search operation that has been underway for a few days.
Sources said the searches were launched following information about the presence of militants in the area. As the search parties reached the Berolay area, militants opened fire, leading to an encounter.
Following the Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, security forces on Thursday launched a cordon and search operation to track suspected terrorists in the forest areas of Poonch district.
The search operation is ongoing in the Lasana forest belt of the district following inputs about suspected terrorists hiding in the area, they said.
There was an exchange of fire between security forces and terrorists on April 14 in the Lasana area, during which one security personnel was injured.
Troops of Romeo Force (army), police, and CRPF are engaged in the operation to track down terrorists, they said.
PDP president Mehbooba Mufti on Thursday asked Union Home Minister Amit Shah to ensure the safety of Kashmiris residing in other parts of the country in view of threats issued by right-wing elements following the Pahalgam terror attack.
"Spoke with Home Minister @AmitShahji to extend my deepest condolences & also express solidarity with bereaved families of the Pahalgam terror attack. We stand with the nation in this hour of mourning. Also requested him to intervene in the wake of certain elements openly threatening Kashmiri students & traders across various states. Urged him to intervene without delay to ensure their safety & protection wherever such incidents are being reported," she wrote on X.
According to the preliminary investigation, it has been revealed that at least four terrorists, clad in camouflage outfits, came to the Baisaran meadow and opened fire with American-made M4 carbine assault rifles and AK-47s.
Some 50-70 used cartridges were recovered from the incident site by Tuesday evening.
It is learnt that the Centre plans to hand over the investigation from J&K Police to the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
A source said the initial probe after recording the statement of victims and eyewitnesses revealed that four terrorists, including two believed to be foreign nationals, came in camouflage attire.
Two terrorists, the source said, were carrying M4 carbine assault rifles while the other two were carrying AK-47s.
In the deadliest terror attack on civilians in the country since the Mumbai 26/11 attacks, at least 25 tourists and a Valley resident were shot dead Tuesday at a meadow near Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir.
The attack took place in the afternoon at Baisaran valley – it’s an off-road meadow a little over 6 km from Pahalgam – which was packed with tourists. Terrorists showed up and fired indiscriminately at the tourists.
A local trade leader, who did not wish to be named, said shopkeepers in Baisaran told him that three-four gunmen fired on the tourists.
The Resistance Front (TRF), a shadow group of the banned Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terror outfit, was said to have claimed responsibility for the attack.
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