Pahalgam Terror Attack: PM Chairs Meeting With Defence Minister, NSA Ajit Doval, Meets Mohan Bhagwat

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday chaired a meeting with the top defence establishment, including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and the chiefs of three services.

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserted on Tuesday that the armed forces have "complete operational freedom" to decide on the mode, targets and timing of India's response to the Pahalgam terror attack.

• Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan on Tuesday chaired a high-level meeting which was attended by chiefs of three paramilitary forces and senior officers of two other security organisations, PTI reported.

• Maharashtra government will give jobs to kin of state's residents killed in the Pahalgam attack.

• The Union Cabinet will be meeting on Wednesday for the first time since the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam.

• Nearly 50 public parks and gardens located in vulnerable areas of Kashmir valley have been shut as a precautionary measure in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack, officials told PTI.

• Lok Sabha LoP and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi writes to PM Narendra Modi requesting that a special session of both houses of Parliament be convened at the earliest.

Pakistani troops violated the ceasefire along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir for a fifth consecutive night, expanding the arc of violations to the Akhnoor sector of Jammu district.

This was the fifth consecutive night that Pakistan resorted to unprovoked firing along the Line of Control (LoC) amid heightened tensions between New Delhi and Islamabad following last week's terror attack in Pahalgam.

"During the night of April 28-29, the Pakistan Army resorted to unprovoked small arms firing across the LoC in areas opposite Kupwara and Baramulla districts, as well as the Akhnoor sector," a defence spokesperson said.

The Indian Army responded in a measured and effective manner to the provocation, he added.

There were no immediate reports of any casualties.

Starting with unprovoked small arms firing at several posts along the LoC in Kupwara and Baramulla districts of north Kashmir, Pakistan expanded its ceasefire violation to the Poonch sector and subsequently to Akhnoor.

Read More | Pahalgam Attack: China Calls For Fair Investigation, J&K Assembly Adjourns Sine Die

India on Monday banned 16 Pakistani YouTube channels, with a total of 63 million subscribers, for spreading "inflammatory and communally sensitive content" following the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people.

The channels include popular Pakistani news channels such as Dawn, Geo TV, Samaa TV and ARY News. Read Here

Led by Vinay Kumar, the Indian ambassador to the Russian Federation, Moscow-based members of the Indian diaspora paid tribute to the 26 victims of the Pahalgam attack by observing a minute's silence and expressing condolences to the bereaved families.

In a packed DP Dhar Hall of the Indian Embassy, the Indian community was joined by Tatiana Shaumyan, a Padma Shri recipient and head of the India Centre of the Institute of Oriental Studies and Research, who expressed solidarity with the people of India in combating terrorism.

Twenty-six people, mostly tourists, were killed by terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam last week.

Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar clarifies his remarks on the Pahalgam attack and apologises for his statement where he had said that terrorists don’t have time to ask about religion or caste:

"What I said yesterday has been misrepresented and distorted. In Pahalgam, where terrorists took the lives of innocent people, Pakistan라이브 바카라 intention was to weaken India and create internal strife. It was Pakistan라이브 바카라 plan, and the terrorists were trained and sent here for this purpose. I had said that terrorists do not have the time to ask about religion or caste — this kind of incident has happened for the first time. If anyone라이브 바카라 feelings were hurt by my remarks, I sincerely apologise."

-PTI

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Monday said the spontaneous public outrage after the Pahalgam attack is an indication that terrorism may end soon in Jammu and Kashmir and made it clear that he will not cite the massacre to push for statehood restoration.

During the speech, Abdullah refused to ask for statehood for political gain in the face of such tragedy. "My politics is not so cheap...this is not the time to demand statehood."

The resolution, moved by Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary, was passed by voice vote. At the beginning of the session, House members observed a two-minute silence to pay homage to the 26 people killed in the attack last week.

Ambassador Yojna Patel, India's Deputy Permanent Representative at the UN says, "The Pahalgam terrorist attack represents the largest number of civilian casualties since the horrific 26/11 Mumbai attacks in 2008. Having been a victim of cross-border terrorism for decades, India fully understands the long-lasting impact such acts have on victims, their families and society."

"India deeply appreciates and values the strong unequivocal support and solidarity extended by leaders and governments across the world in wake of the recent terrorist attack at Pahalgam, Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. This is a testimony to the international community라이브 바카라 zero tolerance for terrorism...We reiterate that terrorism in all its forms must be condemned unequivocally, " said Ambassador Yojna Patel

-ANI

 The barbaric attack on innocent tourists in Pahalgam has awakened the people of Kashmir, who will no longer tolerate violence, Peoples Conference Chairman Sajad Gani Lone said on Monday.

He said several areas of Jammu and Kashmir are earning their livelihoods from the tourism sector, and the dastardly terror attack was a direct attempt to uproot a generation.

"Leaving politics aside, I am of the opinion that the violence has some sort of acceptance in our society as some people have accepted it as a legitimate thing, but their number is continuously declining," Lone said.

"We saw people coming out in every nook and corner to mark the social stigmatisation of violence. The people are no more ready to accept the violence – this is the start of the end of social sanctity of violence," he said.

-PTI

Ira, a Pakistani national returning to Pakistan via Attari Border, says, "I got married 10 years ago in Delhi. My Visa expired during COVID... I am a NORI visa holder, but I have been asked to leave the country because of the attack. Whatever happened there is absolutely wrong, but we should not be punished for this..."

Expressing deep concern over the situation between India and Pakistan, UN chief Antonio Guterres stands ready to support any initiatives, acceptable to both parties, for "de-escalation" and "resumption of dialogue", his office told PTI.

The Secretary-General “remains deeply concerned about the situation between India and Pakistan. He strongly urges both Governments to exercise maximum restraint and avoid any escalation,” a statement by the office of his spokesperson said Monday.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, asking him to convene a special session of Parliament to discuss the Pahalgam terror attack and demonstrate a collective resolve.

Several opposition MPs have made a similar demand to the government in the wake of the dastardly attack in which 26 people, mostly tourists, were killed last week, leaving the nation grief-stricken and outraged.

India has cited "cross-border linkages" to the horrific incident and promised severe punishment to those involved in the strike.

In a letter to the prime minister, Kharge said, "At this moment, when unity and solidarity is essential, the opposition believes that it is important to convene a special session of both Houses of Parliament at the earliest.

"This will be a powerful demonstration of our collective resolve and willpower to deal with the brutal terror attack in Pahalgam on innocent citizens on April 22. It is our fond hope that the session will be accordingly convened," the leader of opposition in the Rajya Sabha added.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a high-level security meeting with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at his New Delhi residence on Monday, 28 April, to assess India's strategic response to the Pahalgam terror attack.

The 40-minute closed-door discussion focused on military preparedness and possible retaliatory actions as India assesses its strategic options following the Pahalgam terror attack. Read Here

Lok Sabha LoP and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi writes to PM Narendra Modi requesting that a special session of both houses of Parliament be convened at the earliest.

"At this critical time, India must show that we always stand together against terrorism," reads the letter.

-ANI

Tourists continue to arrive in Bhaderwah of Doda district to witness the scenic beauty of the area.

Launching a sharp attack over his recent "your blood will flow in Indus" remark, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Monday slammed Pakistan People's Party (PPP) chief Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari saying 'he has to think about who killed his mother.'

Commenting on the Pakistani politician's statement against India following its withdrawal from the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), Owaisi remarked that Bhutto-Zardari should question who was responsible for his mother's death.

“See, he is new in politics. He has to think about who killed his mother. She died because of terrorism. If he can't understand that, then how can we make him? The one whose mother was killed by homegrown terrorism, he has to understand,” Owaisi said.

A video has surfaced across social media pertaining to the Pahalgam terror attack that occurred on April 22 claiming 26 lives. The video was being recorded by a tourist who was ziplining in the Baisaran valley which accidentally captured the attack. The 36-year-old tourist from Ahmedabad has alleged the zipline instructor chanted ‘Allahu Akbar’ thrice in moments leading up to the shooting. 

While speaking of the incident, Rushi Bhatt told The Indian Express, “As you can see in the video, I had shot it for fun. I did not even know that firing was on. But (the attack) was captured on my video.” He further mentioned that the realisation of the incident being a terror attack hit him after 20 seconds when he saw 4-5 people with bullet injuries on the ground below. Read more here.

Nearly 50 public parks and gardens located in vulnerable areas of Kashmir valley have been shut as a precautionary measure in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack, officials told PTI.

Gates have been closed at 48 of the 87 public parks and gardens in Kashmir in view of the threat perception to tourists.

They said the security review was an ongoing process and more locations may be added to the list in the coming days.

Security has been heightened at Bhubaneswar Railway Station following the terror attack in Pahalgam. Sniffer dogs and advanced luggage screening systems have been deployed as precautionary measures.

The Union Cabinet will be meeting on Wednesday for the first time since the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam that left 26 people dead.

The meeting under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been convened at 11 am on Wednesday.

After the CCS meeting, India had on Wednesday last announced a number of measures, including downgrading diplomatic ties with Pakistan.

-PTI

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced financial assistance of Rs 50 lakh for the families of the deceased from Maharashtra who lost their lives in the Pahalgam attack. The state government will also focus on the education and employment needs of these families. The girl from the Jagdale family will be given a government job.

-ANI

Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said, "After the Pahalgam incident, the government has taken several steps. The country and the world are condemning the terrorist incident, and we are working to ensure that such incidents do not happen again."

People protest outside the Pakistan Embassy in Kathmandu over Pahalgam terror attack.

Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) Chairman Ghulam Nabi Azad on Pahalgam terror attack said, "The government now has to take a decision on action that reflects the sentiment of people across the country and in Jammu and Kashmir. Whenever such incidents have occurred, the Centre has responded with a strong military presence."

"People now expect that the sacrifice of the 26 victims should not go in vain. Pakistan must feel that it has made a grave mistake, he added.

Government will give jobs to kin of Maharashtra residents killed in the Pahalgam attack.

 Pragati Jagdale, wife of Santosh Jagdale, one of the tourists killed in the April 22 terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam, on Tuesday appealed to leaders not to politicise the tragedy and said the survivors had experienced the horror firsthand and heard what the assailants said.

Jagdale's appeal has come a day after Maharashtra Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar, in a controversial remark, said that terrorists have no caste or religion and questioned the veracity of the claim that terrorists asked about the faith of tourists before killing them in Pahalgam town last week.

-PTI

Shaurya Chakra winner police constable's mother Shamima Akhtar is one of the 60 women being deported to Pakistan. As per ground reports, at least 60 women have been detained and are set to be deported in wake of the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack.

As per a PTI report, 60 women were taken from various districts and will now be handed over to Pakistani officials at the Wagah border in Punjab. The majority of the deportees are the wives and children of alleged ex-militants, who returned to the valley under the 2010 rehabilitation policy for former ultras.

As per officials, 36 had been living in Srinagar, nine each in Baramulla and Kupwara, four in Budgam, and two in Shopian district.

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Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan on Tuesday chaired a high-level meeting which was attended by chiefs of three paramilitary forces and senior officers of two other security organisations, sources said.

The meeting was held amid the charged atmosphere following the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir in which 26 people, mostly tourists, were killed.

Director General (DG) of Border Security Force Daljit Singh Chaudhary, DG of National Security Guard Brighu Srinivasan and DG of the Assam Rifles Lt Gen Vikas Lakhera attended the meeting, the sources said.

Additional Director General of the Sashastra Seema Bal Anupama Nilekar Chandra were among the other attendees in the meeting.

It was not immediately known what transpired in the meeting.

Moving to contain a surge of misinformation following the Pahalgam terror attack, the government has blocked 16 Pakistani YouTube channels.

But the floodgates of fake news are open on social media platforms with scores of unverified posts peddling false, inflammatory narratives.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday chaired a meeting with the top defence establishment, including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and the chiefs of three services.

Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan was also part of the meeting, which was held amid India weighing its countermeasures following the Pahalgam terror attack which left at least 26 civilians, mostly tourists, dead.

Modi has vowed to pursue the terrorists behind the attack and their patrons, a clear reference to Pakistan which has a history of sponsoring terror strikes in India, to the "ends of earth" and inflict harshest punishment on them. 

- PTI

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday hit out at the Samajwadi Party (SP), saying remarks of some of its leaders on the Pahalgam terrorist attack resembled statements made by Pakistan's official spokespersons.

He also criticised an SP office-bearer in Mumbai for making what he called a "shameful" remark.

Addressing a public gathering here, Adityanath referred to the April 22 attack, which claimed 26 lives, and said, "The statements made by SP leaders after the Pahalgam attack are so disgraceful that it is difficult to tell whether they are speaking as SP leaders or as representatives of Pakistan."

Referring to Akhilesh Yadav, who was asked during a press conference recently if he would be visiting the Pahalgam attack victim's family in Kanpur, the chief minister said: "When asked why SP leaders hadn't visited the home of Kanpur's Shubham Dwivedi, who was brutally killed in the attack, the party chief reportedly said, 'He was not from our party.' This is an unfortunate and disgraceful statement."

He further added, "The entire country is condemning the incident above party lines, while SP leaders are making irresponsible comments..." Adityanath accused the SP and the Congress of engaging in casteist, divisive and appeasement politics, which, he said, puts national security at risk.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserted on Tuesday that the armed forces have "complete operational freedom" to decide on the mode, targets and timing of India's response to the Pahalgam terror attack, as he chaired a meeting with the top defence establishment.

PM Modi expressed complete faith and confidence in the professional abilities of the armed forces.

"They have complete operational freedom to decide on the mode, targets and timing of our response," PTI quoted a source regarding what PM Modi as saying.

Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi have written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, asking him to convene a special session of Parliament to discuss the Pahalgam terror attack and demonstrate a collective resolve.

Several opposition MPs have made a similar demand to the government in the wake of the dastardly attack in which 26 people, mostly tourists, were killed last week, evoking anger and public outrage.

In the letter to the prime minister, Kharge said, "At this moment, when unity and solidarity is essential, the opposition believes that it is important to convene a special session of both Houses of Parliament at the earliest.

"This will be a powerful demonstration of our collective resolve and willpower to deal with the brutal terror attack in Pahalgam on innocent citizens on April 22. It is our fond hope that the session will be accordingly convened," the leader of opposition in the Rajya Sabha added.

Gandhi too wrote a letter to Modi with the same request and said the Pahalgam massacre has outraged every Indian.

- PTI

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday, an interaction which has come in the backdrop of the Pahalgam terror attack which left 26 civilians, mostly tourists, dead.

With the Hindutva organisation considered the ideological mentor to the ruling BJP and spread across the country, the meeting assumes significance. Sources said the meeting was in connection with the terror strike.