Shaun
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday (April 23, 2025) morning held a meeting with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar at the Delhi airport upon his arrival from Saudi Arabia, as he took stock of the situation following the terror attack in Pahalgam.
PM Modi was briefed by the officials immediately upon his return amid the nationwide shock and outrage over the most gruesome attack targeting tourists in the Valley in a long spell of time.
At least 26 people, two foreign tourists among them, were killed by a group of terrorists who emerged from the dense forests around the trekking paradise of the Baisaran meadows in the upper reaches of Pahalgam on Tuesday (April 22, 2025) afternoon.
A number of others were wounded, including with critical injuries, and the death toll is likely to rise, official sources told The Hindu, though there is no official casualty data from the government as yet.
Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday (April 23, 2025) 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.
J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also used strong words to condemn the attack. “This attack is much larger than anything we’ve seen directed at civilians in recent years. I’m shocked beyond belief. This attack on our visitors is an abomination. The perpetrators of this attack are animals, inhuman and worthy of contempt. No words of condemnation are enough,” Mr. Abdullah said.
Helpline for the assistance on Pahalgam terror incident.
The Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs expresses “concern” and expresses condolences over the loss of tourists lives in the attack in Pahalgam but calls it “illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir”.
Three Gujarat natives among 26 killed in Pahalgam terror attack
Three tourists hailing from Gujarat were among the 26 persons killed in a terror attack in Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir’s Anantnag district, officials said on Wednesday.
The Gujarat administration was in touch with the Centre and the Jammu and Kashmir government to bring back the bodies, state Health Minister Rushikesh Patel told reporters.
Shailesh Kalathiya from Surat, Yatish Parmar and his son Smit Parmar from Bhavnagar were among the 26 persons killed in the horrific terror attack in Pahalgam on Tuesday, as per officials.
“Three persons from Gujarat — two from Bhavnagar and one from Surat — were killed in the attack, while two were injured. The victim hailing from Surat lived in Mumbai. We are in touch with the Centre and Jammu and Kashmir government to bring back the bodies. We have also started efforts to bring back other tourists who survived the attack,” Mr. Patel said.
Two tourists from Karnataka killed in Pahalgam terror attack, govt announces helplines
Confirming the death of two people from Karnataka in the terror attack at Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir, the state government on Wednesday has shared helpline numbers as part of it’s efforts to bring back the tourists from there.
“It is sad that two Kannadigas were also killed in a terror attack at Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir. The government is making efforts to bring back the state’s tourists from Jammu and Kashmir,” the tourism department said in a release.
It has asked tour operators and travel agents in the state to share the details of tourists who have gone to Jammu and Kashmir through them.
Relatives and acquaintance of tourists who have gone to Jammu and Kashmir have also been asked to share their details through helpline numbers: 080-43344334, 080-43344335, 080-43344336, 080-43344342.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has rushed Labour Minister Santosh Lad to Pahalgam to ensure the smooth return of the affected Kannadigas.
A team of officials was dispatched to Kashmir on Tuesday evening to rescue people stranded there following the attack.
