Prime Minister Narendra Modi cut short his state visit to Saudi Arabia and urgently returned to New Delhi late Tuesday night, following a devastating terrorist attack in Kashmir’s Pahalgam that claimed at least 28 lives.
Upon landing, he immediately convened an emergency meeting at the airport with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri to assess the evolving security crisis.
The attack, which took place in the remote Baisaran Valley of Anantnag district—a popular tourist spot—marks the worst civilian massacre in the region since the Pulwama bombing in 2019. Gunmen believed to be affiliated with The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy of the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), opened indiscriminate fire on a group of tourists using automatic weapons. Among the deceased were two foreign nationals and two locals, while more than 20 others were left critically injured.
Initial intelligence reports suggest that the militants infiltrated from the Kishtwar region and navigated the treacherous Kokernag terrain to reach Baisaran, a meadow accessible only by foot or pony.
In response to the attack, Union Home Minister Amit Shah rushed to Srinagar and chaired a high-level security review with J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and senior officials. The Ministry of Home Affairs has since intensified security across the Union Territory, particularly around tourist corridors.
Prime Minister Modi posted a strong message of condemnation on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “I strongly condemn the terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. I pray that the injured recover at the earliest. All possible assistance is being provided to those affected. Those behind this heinous act will be brought to justice… they will not be spared! Their evil agenda will never succeed. Our resolve to fight terrorism is unshakable and it will get even stronger.”
Authorities have launched a massive manhunt for the attackers, and a 24/7 emergency help desk has been set up by Anantnag Police to assist tourists in distress. The nation mourns this tragedy, even as calls grow louder for a unified political and security response to confront terrorism head-on.
