New Delhi: In the second day following the terror attack in Pahagam, leaders in New Delhi and Srinagar met to discuss the situation in Jammu and Kashmir. Prime Minister Modi while addressing a public rally in Bihar condemned the attack and said that the perpetrators will not go unpunished. At least 26 were killed in what is being seen as the deadliest terror attack in the Valley in recent years. Among those killed was an IB official, a Navy officer and a Nepalese national.
Sources in the defence and security establishment told ThePrint that the Pahalgam terror attack was carried out by four terrorists, two of whom were Kashmiris trained in Pakistan. The Police, still on the lookout, have announced a reward of 20 lakh on information that could lead to the arrest of these men.
HIGHLIGHTS | Pahalgam terror attack
24 April 2025 10.10 pm: Updates to this blog have closed.
24 April 2025 9.30 pm: Union Home Minister Amit Shah while addressing the opposition at the All-Party meeting in New Delhi Thursday, admitted to security lapses that led to the terror attack in Pahalgam.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh presided over the meeting that had Home Minister Amit Shah, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi and Rajya Sabha Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge in attendance among representatives of various political parties.
Sources said that Rahul questioned the complete absence of security personnel at the site of the attack, which is a picturesque meadow in south Kashmir’s Pahalgam. The director of the Intelligence Bureau also gave a 15-minute presentation at the meeting held at the Parliament annexe.
(With inputs from Sourav Roy Barman and Shanker Arnimesh)
24 April 2025, 7.10 pm: Prime Minister Modi spoke to Israeli PM Netanyahu explaining the ‘barbaric nature’ of the attack in Pahalgam. Netanyahu condemned the terrorist act and expressed solidarity with the people of India over a phone call with the Indian PM.
Meanwhile, leaders in J&K have adopted a unified resolution condemning the Tuesday attack. After an all-party meeting, CM Omar Abdullah said, “We, the participants of the All Party meeting of Jammu and Kashmir, deeply shocked and anguished by the recent barbaric attack in Pahalgam on 22nd April 2025 on innocent civilians, hereby adopt this resolution in a spirit of collective solidarity and resolve. We unequivocally condemn in the strongest possible terms the heinous, inhumane attack in Pahalgam that targeted and killed innocent civilians.”
He further criticised the attack, calling it “a direct assault on the values of Kashmiriyat,” ANI reported.
24 April 2025, 6:45 pm: The Indian Border Security Force (BSF) has announced scaling down the retreat ceremony at Attari, Hussainiwala, and Sadki in Punjab. The symbolic handshake between the Indian Guard Commander and their Pakistani counterpart will be suspended, ANI reported.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), BSF Punjab Frontier stated, “In the wake of the recent tragic attack in Pahalgam, a calibrated decision has been taken to scale down the ceremonial display during the Retreat Ceremony at Attari, Hussainiwala and Sadki in Punjab.”
𝐑𝐞𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐂𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐲
In the wake of the recent tragic attack in Pahalgam, a calibrated decision has been taken to scale down the ceremonial display during the Retreat Ceremony at Attari, Hussainiwala and Sadki in Punjab.
The key changes include:
– Suspension of the… pic.twitter.com/KGyyt18mjI
— BSF PUNJAB FRONTIER (@BSF_Punjab) April 24, 2025
24 April 2025, 6:15 pm: Home Minister Amit Shah, Congress MP & Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju arrive for the all-party meeting at Parliament House in New Delhi to discuss the situation in the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
24 April 2025, 5.30 pm: Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi is set to visit Srinagar Friday to assess the security situation following the Pahalgam attack, ANI reported. He will be briefed by senior military commanders, including the 15 Corps chief and heads of Rashtriya Rifles formations.
24 April 2025, 4.45 pm: Pakistan has raised objection to India holding the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance. The country, in retaliation, has shut its airspace to Indian-owned and operated airlines while also announcing suspension of trade. The Pakistan government stated that any obstruction of water allocated to the country or violation of its rights as a lower riparian state will be considered an “act of war”.
Pakistan has also put the Simla Agreement in abeyance challenging the status quo that has long served as the de facto border in Kashmir. (With inputs from Debdutta Chakraborty)
24 April 2025, 4.30 pm: J&K CM Omar Abdullah, National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah and other party leaders arrived at Sheri-Kashmir International Conference Centre in Srinagar to attend the all-party meeting, ANI has reported. The meeting, called by Omar Abdullah, is aimed at deliberating on path ahead in ensuring peace, justice and resilience in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack in the valley.
24 April 2025, 4.00 pm: India has decided to suspend visa services for Pakistani nationals, and will revoke existing visas with effect from 27 April. Medical visas will be valid only till 29 April. The MEA has advised Indians against visiting Pakistan and those currently in the neighbouring country are advised to return at the earliest.
24 April 2025, 3.40 pm: J&K CM Omar Abdullah urged chief ministers across the country to take “extra care” to ensure safety of Kashmiri students studying outside the union territory.“The J&K government is in touch with the governments of the states where these reports are originating from. I’m also in touch with my counterpart chief ministers in these states & have requested they take extra care,” Abdullah wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Also read: Prayagraj to Himachal—Kashmiri Muslims forced to leave college, home. Many slept at airports
24 April 2025, 3.00 pm: In a press briefing, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi blamed intelligence failure for the death of 25 tourists and a Kashmiri local in a terrorist attack in Pahalgam Tuesday. He sought evaluation of the government’s deterrence policy and demanded the Narendra Modi government to fix accountability over the incident.
24 April 2025, 2.40 pm: Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif held a security meeting Thursday in response to India’s 5-point action plan. Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar called India’s approach “immature” and “hasty” in an interview with GeoTV, a private television channel, late Wednesday.
24 April 2025, 2.10 pm: 65 tourists stranded in J&K were brought back to Maharashtra early Thursday. The evacuation comes amid efforts made by the state government for safe return of tourists. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde is in Srinagar overlooking arrangements and two more special flights are expected to arrive in Mumbai later today, PTI reported.
Meanwhile, the US has issued a ‘do not travel to Kashmir’ advisory for its citizens.
24 April 2025, 1.30 pm: Speaking at a public event in Madhubani, Bihar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that action will be taken to punish terrorists. He said, “…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. Terrorism will not go unpunished.”
National Panchayati Raj Day programme in Madhubani, Bihar. https://t.co/cM06fBSkvY
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 24, 2025
24 April 2025, 1.00 pm: Anantnag Police announced Rs 20 lakh reward for information on those involved in the attack on tourists in Baisaran, Pahalgam. Bounty has been announced on Pakistan nationals and LeT terrorists Adil Hussain Thoker, Ali Bhai and Hashim Musa.
24 April 2025, 12.00 pm: In wake of the Pahalgam terror attack, Leader of Opposition and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi cut short his US visit to attend the CWC meet today.
24 April 2025, 11.30 am: The official X handle of the Pakistan government has been withheld in India. “Users attempting to access @GovtofPakistan on ‘X’ in India see a message stating that the account has been withheld in response to a legal demand,” ANI reported.
24 April 2025, 11.00 am: Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel has announced aid for Pahalgam terror attack victims. Expressing sympathies on behalf of his government, he tweeted, “The Gujarat government stands with full sympathy for the families of the victims of the terrorist attack on tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. The state government will provide Rs 5 lakh assistance to the families of the Gujarati tourists who lost their lives in this attack, and Rs 50,000 assistance to the injured tourists from the state.”
24 April 2025, 10.00 am: The Ministry of External Affairs summoned Pakistan’s charge d’affaires at the embassy in New Delhi late Wednesday night amid a series of diplomatic blows following the deadly Pahalgam attack.
Also read:
23 April 2025, 9.30 pm: Following a high-level Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) meeting at Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said at an MEA briefing Wednesday night that the CCS had condemned the Pahalgam terror attack in the strongest terms, while acknowledging the support the country has received from world leaders during this difficult time.
Key decisions taken at the CCS meeting included freezing the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960, and closure of the Attari-Wagah border with immediate effect. No Pakistani residents will be permitted to travel to India under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES), and all previously issued visas are deemed cancelled.
All defence, navy and air advisers to the Pakistan High Commission are considered persona non grata, and India will be withdrawing its own advisers from Pakistan. From 1 May, Pakistan High Commission posts will be reduced from 55 to 30.
23 April 2025, 8.50 pm: A cash reward of Rs 20 lakh has been offered by Anantnag Police for any information that leads to the terrorists responsible for this barbaric attack being neutralised.
— Anantnag Police( اننت ناگ پولیس) (@AnantnagPolice) April 23, 2025
23 April 2025, 7.45 pm: Encounter breaks out in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kulgam district between terrorists and security personnel, day after Pahalgam attack. Further details awaited.
23 April 2025, 7.00 pm: PM Modi chairs the Cabinet Committee meeting on Security (CCS). Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and EAM S Jaishankar among those present.
23 April 2025, 6.40 pm: Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrives at PM Modi’s residence for a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on national security.
23 April 2025, 6.20 pm: Indian Navy Lieutenant Vinay Narwal and Indian Air Force Corporal Tage Hailyang were on vacation in Kashmir with their wives. Read Javaria Rana’s story on the 2 defence personnel killed in the Pahalgam terror attack.
23 April 2025, 5.50 pm: MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal shared in a post on X that US Vice-President JD Vance has been in contact with PM Modi and offered his condolences, and the US’s assistance in the ‘fight against terrorism’.
Vice President @VP @JDVance called Prime Minister @narendramodi and strongly condemned the dastardly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir. He conveyed his deepest condolences on the loss of lives and reiterated that the United States stands with the people of India in this…
— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) April 23, 2025
23 April 2025, 5.30 pm: Protests erupt in disaster struck Ramban district of Jammu and Kashmir following the terror attack in Pahalgam. Social worker and protestor Arun Singh said, “Terrorism has no religion and needs to be finished with an iron fist.”
23 April 2025, 4.45 pm: Read all about Operation code-named ‘Tikka’—a mission in which security forces foiled an infiltration attempt along the Line of Control near Uri in Jammu and Kashmir Wednesday, neutralising two terrorists and recovering a significant cache of weapons, ammunition, and military supplies.
23 April 2025, 4.30 pm: Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited the Government Medical College (GMC) in Anantnag to meet the injured victims of the terror attack.
#WATCH | Jammu and Kashmir: Union Home Minister Amit Shah meets the injured of #PahalgamTerroristAttack at a hospital in Anantnag pic.twitter.com/fgjxmtHnMd
— ANI (@ANI) April 23, 2025
23 April 2025, 4.20 pm: Speaking to the nedia, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said, “Yesterday, in Pahalgam, targeting a particular religion, terrorists executed a cowardly act, in which we lost many innocent lives…I want to repeat India’s resolve against terrorism. We have a policy of zero tolerance towards terrorism… I want to assure the countrymen that the government will take every necessary step. We will not only reach the perpetrators of this act but also the actors behind the scenes… The accused will soon see a loud and clear response, I want to assure the country.”—ANI
23 April 2025, 3.45 pm: J&K Information and Public Relations Department announces launch of a Special Train from SMVD Katra to New Delhi “to assist the stranded passengers and accommodate the extra rush”.
Tickets will be available over the counter from Katra, Udhampur and Jammu stations.
Meanwhile, airlines like Air India, Indigo and SpiceJet have extended waivers on rescheduling and cancellations for travel to and from Srinagar.
23 April 2025, 2.45 pm: Modi’s scheduled visit to Kanpur on 24 April has been cancelled in the wake of the Pahalgam attack. According to an official statement, the PM was slated to inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for development projects valued at over Rs 20,000 crore during the visit.
“Given the loss of lives in the recent terror attack, including that of a brave son of Kanpur, and the sombre mood prevailing in the region, the Prime Minister’s visit has been cancelled. It was deemed appropriate not to hold any celebratory or formal public engagements in Kanpur at this time,” an official statement said.
23 April 2025, 2.20 pm: Citizens gathered outside the Police Control Room in Srinagar Wednesday to protest against the violence in Pahalgam.
They called on the government and security forces to take strong and immediate action. “We respect the police, we are with them. But the government must act. This is a time to fight this war together,” said one protester.
“Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, or Christian, this is about human life. Don’t point fingers at each other. We have to fight this war together. This is not a one-man fight. All these Kashmiris have to fight this war. Insha Allah, we will succeed in this war, but as long as we are alive, we will have to keep humanity alive,” the protester said.
They also said the attack was a blow to ‘Kashmiriyat’, the spirit of harmony and hospitality in the Valley.
23 April 2025, 2.00 pm: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh chairs a meeting with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, IAF Chief Air Marshal AP Singh, Army Chief General Upendra Dwiwedi, and Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh Tripathi. The meeting, which lasted 2.5 hours, focused on the security situation in Jammu & Kashmir. Further deliberations are expected during the Cabinet Committee on Security meeting, likely to be held later today—ANI
23 April 2025, 1.30 pm: A National Investigation Agency (NIA) team, led by a Deputy Inspector General-rank officer, has reached the Pahalgam terror attack site.
Official sources privy to the development told ANI that “the NIA team members will be assisting the Jammu and Kashmir Police in the investigation.”
The NIA team is expected to conduct a thorough assessment of the attack site, collect forensic evidence, and help in identifying those responsible for the carnage. The Central anti-terror agency is expected to be handed over the case by the Ministry of Home Affairs very soon.
23 April 2025, 1.00 pm: Office of Chief Minister of J&K announces an ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh each for the families of the deceased, Rs 2 lakh for those seriously injured, and Rs 1 lakh for those with minor injuries.
“All arrangements for the dignified transport of the victims back to their homes have been made. The injured are being provided the best medical care,” wrote the J&K CMO in an X post.
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.
No amount…
— Office of Chief Minister, J&K (@CM_JnK) April 23, 2025
23 April 2025, 12.30 pm: Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, currently on a visit to the United States, shared on X that he had spoken with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, and J&K PCC President Tariq Karra regarding the Pahalgam terror attack.
“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 families of the victims deserve justice and our fullest support,” Rahul posted.
23 April 2025, 12.10 pm: Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrives at Baisaran meadow, the site of the Pahalgam terrorist attack.
Earlier today, he paid his tribute to the victims of the attack by laying a wreath in a ceremony outside the Police Control Room in Srinagar. He also met the families of the victims.
#WATCH | J&K | Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrives at Baisaran meadow, the site of the Pahalgam terrorist attack on tourists pic.twitter.com/7ZB6tAqv00
— ANI (@ANI) April 23, 2025
23 April 2025, 12.05 pm: In a post on X, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah writes that it is “heartbreaking to see the exodus of guests from the Valley”, while acknowledging that he understands why people would want to leave in the wake of the terror attack.
“While DGCA & the Ministry of Civil Aviation are working to organise extra flights, NH-44 between Srinagar & Jammu has been reconnected for traffic in a single direction. I’ve directed the administration to facilitate traffic between Srinagar & Jammu allowing tourist vehicles to leave. This will have to be done in a controlled & organised way…”
It’s heartbreaking to see the exodus of our guests from the valley after yesterday’s tragic terror attack in Pahalgam but at the same time we totally understand why people would want to leave. While DGCA & the Ministry of Civil Aviation are working to organise extra flights,… pic.twitter.com/5O3i5U1rBh
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) April 23, 2025
23 April 2025, 11.45 am: Sources in the security establishment said that the 2 locals who were among the 4 terrorists who carried out the attack in Pahalgam have been identified as Aadil Thakur of Bijbehara and Aasif Sheikh of Tral. Snehesh Alex Philip reports from Pahalgam.
Sources also denied that the attack was to target any group of officers from any intel agency.
23 April 2025, 11.30 am: Two terrorists killed Wednesday, a day after the attack in Pahalgam, as an infiltration bid is foiled along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir’s Baramulla district, officials said.
23 April 2025, 10.50 am: Authorities Wednesday morning released an updated list of 26 people killed in the attack. Among the victims, six were from Maharashtra, three from Gujarat, two from Karnataka, and one each from Haryana, West Bengal, and Bihar.
23 April 2025, 10.30 am: Members of various Hindu organisations, along with BJP leaders, protest against the attack on tourists in Jammu.
#WATCH | Members of various Hindu organizations, along with BJP leaders, protest against the Pahalgam terrorist attack on tourists, in Jammu pic.twitter.com/6hJiEdsZEq
— ANI (@ANI) April 23, 2025
Speaking to the media, J&K BJP leader Ravinder Raina says, “The Pahalgam terrorist attack is a murder of humanity. Kashmir has been bled and Pakistan and these terrorists will have to pay a heavy price for this crime…The blood of innocents that has been shed in Pahalgam in Kashmir will be avenged…”.
23 April 2025, 10.20 am: Union Home Minister Amit Shah pays tribute to the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack, in Srinagar.
Following the attack Tuesday, Shah had rushed to Srinagar to chair a high-level review meeting with security officials. Among those present were Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and J&K CM Omar Abdullah.
#WATCH | Union Home Minister Amit Shah pays tributes to the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack, in Srinagar, J&K pic.twitter.com/HSj2va7LsN
— ANI (@ANI) April 23, 2025
#WATCH | Karnal | MLA Jagmohan Anand meets the family of Indian Navy Officer, Lieutenant Vinay Narwal, who was killed in the Pahalgam terrorist attack while he was on leave in J&K pic.twitter.com/4RdSTxC6ES
— ANI (@ANI) April 23, 2025
23 April 2025, 9.35 am: Indian Army ALH Dhruv helicopters allowed to fly in the areas around Srinagar, J&K and adjoining areas in view of the ongoing counter-terrorism operations, say Defence officials.
The ALH Dhruv choppers had been grounded for over two months after a crash involving Indian Coast Guard officers in Porbandar.
#WATCH | 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: Defence Officials
The ALH Dhruv choppers have… pic.twitter.com/fdhzIeGRGN
— ANI (@ANI) April 23, 2025
23 April 2025, 9.25 am: Coffins of the victims brought to Srinagar airport. Several state government representatives have arrived in the city to assist with the return of victims and stranded tourists to their respective states.
23 April 2025, 9.10 am: The Indian Army says it foiled an infiltration bid by militants Wednesday. In a post on X, the China Corps said three militants tried to infiltrate into Kashmir via the Uri sector in Baramulla, leading to a gunfight, adding, “Operation is in progress”.
OP TIKKA, Baramulla
On 23 Apr 2025, approximately 2-3 UI terrorists tried to infiltrate through general area Sarjeevan at Uri Nala, Baramulla, the alert tps on LC challenged and intercepted them resulting in a firefight.
Operation is in progress.#Kashmir@adgpi… pic.twitter.com/FOTXiTNYSf
— Chinar Corps🍁 – Indian Army (@ChinarcorpsIA) April 23, 2025
23 April 2025, 9.00 am: Moments after his arrival in Delhi early Wednesday, PM Modi takes a briefing meeting at the Palam Airport with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and other officials—ANI.
Also Read: Vance calls Pahalgam attack ‘devastating’, Israeli envoy & foreign minister voice support for India
Terrorists inside the country itself are out of reach of security forces, forget pursuing them out of our country.