Pahalgam Terror Attack Live Updates | PM Modi Chairs Meeting Of Cabinet Committee On Security

The cabinet Committee on Security meeting which was chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has concluded. The participating ministers including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh have left seven Lok Kalyan Marg, the official residence of the Prime Minister.

The Union Ministry of Tourism urged all the tourist service providers to provide possible assistance to the tourists, including waiving off cancellation fees, a day after a terrorist attack on tourists in Pahalga,m in which at least 26 persons were shot dead.

The Cabinet Committee on Security met here on Wednesday evening under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a day after the dastardly terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam killed at least 26 people and injured several others.

Besides the prime minister, the Cabinet Committee on Security comprises Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

Sitharaman is on her way back from the United States after she cut short her official visit.

Prime Minister Modi returned early Wednesday from Saudi Arabia. He held a meeting at the airport soon after his arrival where he discussed the J-K terror attack with Jaishankar and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval. Foreign Secretary Vikram Mistry was also part of the meeting.

Earlier in the day, Amit Shah visited Baisaran in Pahalgam, the site where terrorists struck on Tuesday evening, as well as the hospital where some of the injured were being treated.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday cancelled his two-day scheduled visit to Ladakh due to the situation arising out of the Pahalgam terror attack. Singh was to visit Ladakh on April 25 and 26.

The Railways has beefed up security arrangements across its stations as well as trains in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack in which at least 26 people were shot dead by terrorists.

Talking on the security issue, a senior Railway Official of Jammu division told ETV Bharat, “The railway has already enhanced security arrangements in J&K area stations and trains with the coordination of Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Government Railway Police (GRP) personnel. Extra force has been deployed in and around the stations to keep a strict vigil at stations.”

“Security personnel with dog squads are taking rounds at all possible places and vulnerable spots for checking to ensure the safety of passengers and railway property. The railway has set up a “Help Desk” at Jammu Station to assist tourists who are coming there for help. The railway is planning to connect with their respective trains if the number increases for returning back to their homes,” the official informed.

RPF personnel with GRP are keeping a strict vigil and monitoring round-the-clock across the Indian Railway network and the stations for the safety of the travellers, senior railway officials said.

The railway has also issued “Help Line Number” Jammu Tawi 0191-2470116, Local contact for Jammu Station from Jammu Region: 1072, the official informed.

Following the cancellation of several tourist bookings in the Kashmir Valley after the Pahalgam Terror attack, EaseMyTrip Founder and Chairman Nishant Pitti announced on Wednesday that they have extended free rescheduling and cancellation waivers for all bookings until April 30.
"To ensure flexibility, we have extended free change and cancellation waivers for all bookings made on or before April 22, applicable for travel up to April 30. In light of the ongoing situation in Srinagar, we at EaseMyTrip are fully committed to supporting our customers who are travelling to or from Srinagar. We understand the uncertainty this situation may cause and are here to minimise any inconvenience to your travel plans," Pitti posted on X.
"Additionally, we are coordinating closely with airlines and local authorities and will share regular updates. Your safety and convenience remain our top priorities," he added.
Earlier, in response to the heightened demand for Air Tickets from Srinagar, the DGCA requested airlines to increase the number of flights to and from the city.

Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Wednesday said some people with nefarious intentions have tried to again "incite separatism and terrorism" in the Valley and asserted that his ministry will do the best to "minimise the dent" on tourism in Jammu and Kashmir in the wake of the Pahalgam attack.

Interacting with reporters on the sidelines of a meeting of the Central Advisory Board of Archaeology (CABA) here, he said he and his office are in "continuous touch" with the chief secretary and the tourism secretary of the Union Territory and keeping an eye on the situation.

Terrorists struck at a prime tourist location in Pahalgam in south Kashmir on Tuesday, killing at least 26 people, mostly tourists, and injuring several others. The deceased included two foreigners -- from the UAE and Nepal -- and two locals. The entire nation is pained and feeling hurt in the wake of the terror attack in Pahalgam yesterday, and loss of many innocent lives in it, Shekhawat said.

"This cowardly incident has hurt our sentiments. But, some people with their nefarious intention, have tried to incite separatism and terrorism in Kashmir again," he told reporters.

The Union Culture and Tourism Minister also said Prime Minister Narendra Modi cut short his foreign visit and returned home, and Union Home Minister Amit Shah rushed to Srinagar, putting off his other works, and "their stand on this attack, clearly demonstrates India's and the prime minister's zero-tolerance approach towards terrorism".

And, as they have both said, it will be ensured that each and every person responsible for this attack will get the "harshest punishment," Shekhawat said.

"Earlier, through surgical and air strikes, India has sent a message to the world that anti-India activities, whether emanating from Indian soil or from outside the country, India will not tolerate it now," he said.

Asked if he has approached the Jammu and Kashmir government and tourism department authorities in the wake of the attack, Shekhawat said, "I am in touch with everybody, my office too, my secretary is also in touch with the tourism secretary in Jammu and Kashmir, the chief secretary of Jammu and Kashmir". "We are in continuous touch and keeping an eye on that. And, we will do our best to minimise the dent on tourism in Kashmir, because of this incident, and tourism across the country," he said.

The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Wednesday condemned the killing of 28 tourists in Jammu and Kashmir by terrorists. The CPI(M) also extended its deepest condolences to the families of the innocent people who lost their lives in the attack.

"The perpetrators of the horrific crime must be apprehended and punished. The police and security forces are under the Central Government. The Central Government must leave no stone unturned in bringing the forces responsible for the dastardly attack to justice. The perpetrators of the crime are the enemies of the nation and, more so, of the people of Kashmir. It is incumbent on the Central Government to probe all angles of the attack, including the lack of security in crowded tourist places," the party said in a statement.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will chair a cabinet committee on security (CCS) meeting at South Block at 6 pm to review the security situation and the Government of India’s future course of action following the Pahalgam attack. The other members of the CCS include Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. The National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, Cabinet Secretary TV Somanathan, and Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh will also attend the CCS meeting.

In a harrowing twist of fate, a family from Kerala narrowly escaped the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, thanks to a horse-riding accident that delayed their journey.

At least 26 people, mostly tourists, were killed in the most deadly attack in decades at Baisaran meadows in the upper reaches of Pahalgam on Tuesday afternoon.

Sudhas Kannoth, a native of Palakulangara in Taliparamba, Kannur, was visiting Kashmir with his wife Preethi and son Mrinal when the incident occurred.

According to sources, the family had arrived in Srinagar on April 18 via a tour package and spent three days exploring the scenic region. On April 21, they reached Pahalgam and checked into a local hotel. The following day, as advised by their tour guide and driver, they set off for a horseback ride at 11:30 a.m. through a rugged seven-kilometre trail.

However, Sudhas’ journey was abruptly interrupted when he lost control of his horse on the difficult path strewn with red stones, black stones, and mud. He fell to the ground, getting covered in horse dung and muck, and had to wash himself in a nearby stream before continuing. Read more...

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday was briefed by the Services chiefs, including Army chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi and Navy chief Admiral Dinesh Tripathi, on the current security situation in the Kashmir valley after the terror attack yesterday in Pahalgam. Top officers have been rushed to the affected areas, and local formations have been asked to be on alert and further intensify the counter terrorist operations. More troops have been inducted in the areas near the attack site to carry out search and destroy operations: Defence sources

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday asserted that the country will not bend to terror and that those responsible for the killing of tourists at Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir will not be spared.

After laying wreaths on the bodies of those killed in the terror attack, he said on X that "With a heavy heart, paid last respects to the deceased of the Pahalgam terror attack.

"Bharat will not bend to terror. The culprits of this dastardly terror attack will not be spared," he said.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday confirmed that three persons from the state were killed in the terror attack in Kashmir's Pahalgam, which left 26 people dead.

Describing it to be a "grim hour" for the state, Banerjee said that her government was making all the arrangements to get family members of the victims back home from New Delhi and she was personally overseeing it.

"As per the latest updated information made available to us, three persons from our state have died in the most unfortunate Kashmir violence," Banerjee said in a post on X.

The three deceased are Bitan Adhikari of Baishnabghata in Kolkata, Samir Guha of Sakher Bazar in Kolkata and Manish Ranjan of Jhalda in Purulia district.

"All arrangements are being put up by our administration at Delhi Airport to help the family members of the victims and their onward journey to Kolkata. Flight is likely to arrive in Kolkata at 8.30 pm today," she said.

The resident commissioner's office in Delhi is in touch with the family members, the chief minister said.

Extending her condolences to the families of those killed in the attack, Banerjee said that her government is standing by them in the crisis.

"A grim hour for all of us," she said. Terrorists struck a prime tourist location at Baisaran meadows near Pahalgam in south Kashmir on Tuesday killing 26 people, mostly tourists.

The 26 victims of the dastardly Pahalgam terror attack had come from 12 different states in India, most along with their families, to spend some days in Kashmir, away from the rising heat in the mainland.

The deceased include an IAF Corporal, a Navy and Excise officer, and a businessman from Karnataka. ETV Bharat compiled the list of 26 victims. They include tourists from Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Haryana, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Arunachal Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and even one Nepali national. The slain also include a local from Pahalgam as well. All those killed are male, as eyewitness accounts have revealed that the terrorists picked and shot the victims one by one. Read more...

A day after the deadly Kashmir terror attack in which 26 civilians, mostly tourists, were killed, security agencies on Wednesday released three sketches of suspected terrorists involved in the dastardly.

The sketches, according to sources, were made with the descriptions made available by the eyewitnesses in front of the security agencies. “The sketches have been circulated in all the police stations of J&K. The sketches were also released on social media,” sources said.

The suspects, as per the initial inputs, have been identified as Asif Fauji, Suleman Shah and Abu Talha. All are said to be affiliated with the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and its proxy outfit, The Resistance Front (TRF). According to top security officials, the attackers—armed with AK-47 rifles—sprayed bullets for nearly 20 harrowing minutes, turning a peaceful hillside into a scene of horror.

"It was chaos. The gunfire didn't stop. People were screaming, running for cover—there was blood, panic, everything,” said an official familiar with the preliminary investigation. Read more...

The Jammu and Kashmir government on Wednesday announced an ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh for the families of each of those killed in the Pahalgam terror attack on Tuesday.

Making the announcement, J-K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said in a post on X, "Deeply shocked and anguished by the despicable terrorist attack in Pahalgam yesterday. This barbaric and senseless act of brutality against innocent civilians has no place in our society. We condemn it in the strongest possible terms. We mourn the precious lives lost."

The chief minister said no amount of money can ever compensate for the loss of loved ones, but as a mark of support and solidarity, the J-K government announces an ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh each for the families of the deceased.

The chief minister also announced Rs 2 lakh for those seriously injured, and Rs 1 lakh for those with minor injuries.

All arrangements have been made to transport of the mortal remains of the deceased back to their homes in a dignified manner, Abdullah said.

"The injured are being provided the best medical care. Our hearts go out to the bereaved families. We share in your grief and stand by you in this dark hour," Abdullah said.

Terrorists struck at a prime tourist location in Pahalgam in south Kashmir on Tuesday, killing at least 26 people, mostly tourists, and injuring several others. The deceased included two foreigners -- from the UAE and Nepal -- and two locals.

"Terror will never break our resolve. We will not rest until those behind this barbarity are brought to justic," the chief minister said.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrived at Baisaran meadow, the site of the Pahalgam terror attack, this morning, after paying tributes to the victims at the police control room in Srinagar, where he also shared his grief with the family of those killed in the dastardly attack. He also spoke to top security officials, including J&K DGP and Army Commanders, taking stock of the situation in the valley.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday paid tributes to the 26 people killed in the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam, and assured the survivors that the perpetrators of the dastardly act would be brought to justice, officials said.

At the Police Control Room here, Shah was accompanied by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, the officials said.

The Home Minister later interacted with families of the slain persons and other survivors of the attack. He assured them the security forces would leave no stone unturned to bring the perpetrators of the deadly attack to the book, the officials said.

Shah arrived here within hours of the attack on Wednesday night and was briefed about the situation by Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat. The Home Minister also chaired a security review meeting, which was also attended by the Lieutenant Governor.

Earlier, the bodies of victims killed in the gruesome terror attack in Kashmir's Pahalgam on Tuesday were brought here.

The phone hasn’t stopped ringing for Santosh Jagdale, who was at the spot of Tuesday's horrific Pahalgam terror attack, an hour before terrorists mowed down at least 26 people, mostly tourists.

“I am Santosh Laxman Jagdale. My namesake Santosh Eknath Jagdale, also from Maharashtra, was killed in the attack,” the 49-year-old juice seller from Sangli told PTI.

“After the name ‘Santosh Jagdale’ appeared in national media as one of the victims, I have been getting calls throughout the night and till this morning from my village people, kin and friends, asking about my wellbeing,” Jagdale said. Read more..

"After yesterday's event, we have made tight security arrangements... Since emotions are running high in the wake of the incident, I request everyone to think carefully before saying something that could hurt the sentiments of any community... Everything is peaceful here as of now," said SSP Sandeep Mehta in Doda, J&K.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, and several senior officials visited the Police Control Room in Srinagar on Wednesday to pay homage to the civilians killed in the Pahalgam terror attack.

Officials said Shah, after offering his final respects to the victims, proceeded to Baisaran in Pahalgam—the site of Tuesday’s deadly assault where militants opened fire on civilians, killing 28 people, most of them tourists.

The Home Minister had flown into Srinagar late Tuesday evening and immediately held a high-level meeting to review the security situation.

Defence Officials said that the Indian Army ALH Dhruv helicopters have been allowed to fly in the areas around Srinagar, J&K and adjoining areas in view of the ongoing counter-terrorism operations after the terrorist attack on tourists in Pahalgam. The ALH Dhruv choppers have been grounded for over two months after a crash involving Indian Coast Guard officers in Porbandar

A team of National Investigation Agency (NIA) led by an inspector general has been sent to terror-hit Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir, official sources said on Wednesday.

The team is en route to Pahalgam where it would provide assistance to the local police probing Tuesday's dastardly terrorist attack in which 26 people, mostly tourists from different parts of the country, were killed, the sources said.

The terrorists opened fire at tourists who were milling around eateries, taking pony rides or just picnicking at the Baisaran meadows in Pahalgam, touted as 'Mini Switzerland' for its serene beauty.

Jammu and Kashmir is observing a complete shutdown on Wednesday, a day after a deadly terror attack in Pahalgam’s Baisaran meadow that left at least 28 civilians—mostly tourists—dead and several others injured. The call for bandh has drawn widespread support across political, religious, and civil society lines.

In the wake of the attack, Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrived in Srinagar on Tuesday evening and was briefed by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. Late last night, Shah chaired a high-level security meeting at Raj Bhavan, which was attended by Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha, DGP Nalin Prabhat, and other senior officials. He is scheduled to visit the attack site in Pahalgam today. Read more...

The Army today said that two terrorists were killed in Uri in Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir during an infiltration bid Wednesday morning. "Heavy exchange of fire between security forces and terrorists, two terrorists have been eliminated, infiltration bid foiled by the security forces in the ongoing Operation. Large quantity of weapons, ammunition and other war-like stores have been recovered from the terrorists," Chinar Corps wrote on X.

It said the operation is in progress. The infiltration bid comes a day after a deadly attack on tourists in Baisaran valley of Pahalgam in Anantnag, which created widespread condemnation.

As the country mourns the tragic death of innocent tourists, the coffins carrying the victims of the terror attack were brought to the Srinagar airport. Several state government representatives have arrived in Srinagar to facilitate the return home of victims and tourists from their respective states.

This has been one of the biggest terror attacks after the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. The government, however, has yet to officially confirm the number of casualties in the terror attack in Pahalgam. Karnataka Minister Santosh Lad arrived in Srinagar to coordinate on behalf of the Siddaramaiah government. Ministers and officials from other states were also present on the field.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has cut short her official visit to the US, given the dastardly terror attack in Kashmir's Pahalgam that killed at 26 people, mostly tourists, on Tuesday.

Sitharaman is part of the five-member Cabinet Committee on Security headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who curtailed his two-day Saudi Arabia trip and reached New Delhi on Wednesday morning.

"Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs Smt. @nsitharaman is cutting short her official visit to the USA-Peru. She is taking the earliest available flight back to India to be with our people in this difficult and tragic time," the finance ministry said in a post on X. Read more...

The bodies of victims killed in the gruesome terror attack in Kashmir's Pahalgam on Tuesday were brought to Srinagar on Wednesday, where authorities will hold a wreath-laying ceremony at the police control room, officials said.

"We have received 26 bodies, which were brought to the Government Medical College (GMC) Srinagar in the wee hours of Wednesday. The bodies will be moved to the police control room (PCR)," an official said.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who reached Srinagar on Wednesday night, is expected to lay wreaths on the coffins of the victims at a ceremony at the PCR later on Wednesday. At least 26 persons -- mostly tourists -- were killed by terrorists on Tuesday at the Baisaran meadows in Pahalgam in one of the worst terror attacks on civilians in Kashmir in the past many years.

Mother of the Anantnag resident Syed Hussain Shah, who lost his life in the Pahalgam Terrorist Attack, gets emotional, says, "He was the only bread earner of the family..."

An infiltration bid has been foiled along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir's Baramulla district on Wednesday, the Indian Army said. "On 23 Apr 2025, approximately 2-3 UI terrorists tried to infiltrate through the general area Sarjeevan at Uri Nala, Baramulla (in north Kashmir)," the Chinar Corps said in a post on X.

The alert troops on the Loc challenged and intercepted the infiltrators, resulting in a firefight, the army said. "The operation is in progress," it added. The infiltration bid came less than 24 hours after a deadly terror attack at Pahalgam in south Kashmir's Anantnag district on Tuesday killed at least 26 people, mostly tourists. Read more...

The following are those who lost their lives in the terror attack

1. Sushil Nathyal - Indore, MP
2. Syed Adil Hussain - Pahalgam
3. Hemant Suhas Joshi - Tami Mumbai
4. Vinay Narwal - Karnal, Haryana
5. Atul Shrikant Moni - Dombli West
6. Neeraj Udhawani - Uttarakhand
7. Bitan Adhikari - Vishnu Kolkata
8. Sudeep Neupane - Nepal
9. Shubham Dwivedi - Kanpur City
10. Prashant Kumar Satpathi - Malashwar, Odisha
11. Manish Ranjan (Excise Inspector)- Bihar
12. N. Ramachandran - Kochi, Kerala
13. Sanjay Lakshman Lali - Thane, Mumbai
14. Dinesh Agarwal - Chandigarh
15. Sameer Guhar - Kolkata
16. Dileep Dasali - Panvel, Mumbai
17. J. Sachandra Moli - Vishakapatnam
18. Madhusudan Somisetty - Bengaluru
19. Santosh Jaghda - Pune, Maharashtra
20. Manju Nath Rao - Karnataka
21. Kastuba Ganvotay - Pune
22. Bharat Bhushan - Bengaluru
23. Sumit Parmar - Bhavnagar, Gujarat
24. Yatesh Parmar - Bhavnagar, Gujarat
25. Tagehalying - Arunachal Pradesh
26. Shaileshbhai H. - Surat, Gujarat

Air India and IndiGo will operate a total of four additional flights from Srinagar to Delhi and Mumbai on Wednesday. "In view of the prevailing situation, Air India will operate two additional flights from Srinagar to Delhi and Mumbai on Wednesday, April 23," Air India said in a post on X.

An IndiGo official said it will operate two additional flights from Srinagar to Delhi and Mumbai on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde spoke to Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu regarding the tragic incident in Pahalgam, where tourists from Maharashtra lost their lives.

According to Shinde's office, he has requested Naidu to make special arrangements for the immediate transportation of the mortal remains of the deceased from Srinagar to Mumbai.

In response, Naidu has assured that all necessary measures will be taken and special arrangements will be made to facilitate the return of the bodies at the earliest, Shinde's office said.

On Wednesday, Air India will operate a flight from Srinagar to Delhi at 11.30 am and from Srinagar to Mumbai at 12 noon.

"All our other flights to and from Srinagar will continue to operate as per schedule," it said.

Air India operates five flights from Delhi and Mumbai to Srinagar daily.

The airline is also offering complimentary rescheduling and full refunds on cancellations to passengers with confirmed bookings till April 30 on these sectors," the airline said.

In a statement, IndiGo said that to support those traveling to/from Srinagar, it is offering waivers for cancellation or rescheduling, besides adding two flights from Mumbai and Delhi to Srinagar over and above the regular schedule.

IndiGo operates 20 flights from Srinagar daily.

Air India Express said that in view of the prevailing situation in Pahalgam, it is extending full support to its passengers flying to and from Srinagar.

"Guests booked to travel on Air India Express flights from or to Srinagar until 30th April 2025 are being offered the flexibility to reschedule their travel with a complete waiver of date change fees and fare difference," the airline said in a post on X.

According to the airline, passengers may also opt to cancel their bookings and receive a full refund to their original mode of payment.

Air India Express connects Srinagar directly to five destinations -- Bengaluru, Delhi, Hyderabad, Jammu, and Kolkata -- with around 80 weekly flights.

Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday said he had spoken with Home Minister Amit Shah, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Congress' J&K unit president Tariq Karra about the horrific Pahalgam terror attack to get an update on the situation. Gandhi asserted that the families of victims deserve justice and our fullest support.

Spoke with HM Amit Shah, J&K CM Omar Abdullah, and J&K PCC President Tariq Karra about the horrific Pahalgam terror attack. Received an update on the situation," the former Congress chief, who is on a US visit, said in a post on X. The families of victims deserve justice and our fullest support, he said. Read more...

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a meeting with National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday morning at the airport upon his arrival from Saudi Arabia to discuss the situation following the terror attack in Pahalgam.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri was also part of the meeting, officials said. Terrorists struck a prime tourist location of Pahalgam in south Kashmir on Tuesday, killing at least 26 people and injuring several others, according to officials.

The 26 dead included two foreigners - from the UAE and Nepal - and two locals, officials said. Modi cut short his trip to Saudia Arabia to return, while Home Minister Amit Shah rushed to Jammu and Kashmir to spearhead the security measures following the most gruesome attack targeting tourists in the valley in a long spell of time.