At least 26 civilians, mostly tourists, were killed in a terror attack in Pehalgam in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag district on Tuesday. The attack took place at Baisaran, a meadow accessible only on foot or by pony, where a group of tourists had gone visiting on Tuesday morning.
The Resistance Front, a shadow group of the banned Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terror group, claimed responsibility for the attack, but a government statement confirming the same is awaited.
Eyewitnesses relayed shocking details of the terror attack: The terrorists checked tourists’ religion and shot them dead, according to media reports.

HM Amit Shah reaches Pahalgam, pays tribute to deceased

Home Minister Amit Shah, after reaching Pahalgam, took a first-hand account of the situation at the attack site in the Baisaran forest area of Jammu and Kashmir.
He enquired about the health condition of injured people at the Government Medical College, Anantnag Hospital. As per credible official sources, 26 tourists, including two locals, were killed in yesterday’s Pahalgam attack. 
Police and intelligence agencies have released sketches of three attackers. Kashmir Valley is observing day day-long complete shutdown against the tourist killings in Pahalgam.
Most of the shops, main markets and local industrial and manufacturing units are closed. The public transport is off the roads.
"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," Shah said on X.

Security beefed up across J&K

In Jammu and Kashmir, security across the Kashmir Valley has been increased manifold after the killing of several tourists in a terrorist attack in Pahalgam yesterday. The location of the attack is around 85 kilometres from Srinagar, in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district. The joint combing operation by the Army, CRPF, and J&K Police is underway in the region. The operation has been expanded to 5 5-kilometre radius from the attack location in Pahalgam. Special forces, sniffer dogs and other technical intelligence means have been deployed to track down the attackers.
Additional checkpoints have been set up on highways and in sensitive areas, and quick reaction teams have been deployed near key installations and tourist hotspots. Northern Army Commander Lt Gen MV Suchendra Kumar will be briefed by local formation commanders in Srinagar today on the present security situation in the Valley.
The frisking operations in Srinagar and other tourist places like Gulmarg and Sonamarg have been intensified. Security has been increased around small, medium, and large hotels where tourists are staying to prevent any potential incidents. The attack targeting tourists at the peak of the spring travel season has raised serious concerns. Top security sources said that the final figure of those killed is being compiled as rescue and identification efforts continue.
The J&K government has set up the Clock Emergency Help Desk for tourists in Srinagar and Anantnag. The emergency control room at Srinagar is- 0194-2457543, 0194-2483651 and ADC Srinagar’s helpline is 7006058623. The District Administration Anantnag Control Room Helpline is – 01932222337, 7780885759, 9697982527 and 6006365245.

PM Modi returns New Delhi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived in New Delhi this morning after cutting short his Saudi Arabia visit in view of the Terrorist Attack in Jammu and Kashmir. 
The Prime Minister, who was on a two-day visit to the country, also skipped the official dinner hosted by Saudi Arabia. Immediately on his arrival, the Prime Minster took a brief meeting at the airport and took stock of the situation with External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and other officials.

Defence Minister Reviews Security Situation

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh today reviewed the current security situation in Kashmir Valley with top officials of the three services. Defence Sources said, Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh Tripathi, Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal AP Singh and other senior officials briefed Mr Singh on the current security situation in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack. 
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. Sources added that more troops have been inducted in the areas near the attack site to carry out search and destroy operations in the valley.

Four special flights arranged

Four special flights from Srinagar to Delhi and Mumbai have been arranged today in view of the Pahalgam Terror Attack. Additional flights have also been kept on standby to cater to further evacuation of tourists as per the need. Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu has spoken to Home Minister Amit Shah over the issue and is monitoring the situation round the clock. 
He also held an urgent meeting with all airline operators and issued a strong advisory against surge pricing. Airlines have been directed to maintain regular fare levels, ensuring that no passenger is burdened during this sensitive time. He directed all airlines to extend full cooperation for the transportation of deceased individuals to their respective home states.
Meanwhile, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation DGCA has asked the airlines to take swift action to increase flights on routes from Srinagar, as there is a surge in demand from stranded tourists looking to return home. In an advisory, the aviation regulator called for uninterrupted connectivity from Srinagar across the country to facilitate the evacuation of stranded travellers. It has also asked airlines to waive cancellation and rescheduling charges and to extend all possible assistance to affected passengers.

Home Minister chairs high-level meeting

Union Home Minister Mr Amit Shah held a high-level review meeting with senior officials in Srinagar after the dastardly terrorist attack on tourists in Pahalgam. The Union Home Minister landed in Srinagar last night and proceeded directly to Raj Bhawan. Earlier, the Home Minister also held a meeting with the concerned officials through video conferencing over the incident. Expressing his anguish, Mr Shah asserted that those involved in this dastardly act of terror will not be spared.

US stands strong with India

US President Donald Trump has extended “full support and deepest sympathies” to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the people of India in the wake of the  terrorist attack in Kashmir .”Deeply disturbing news out of Kashmir,” President Trump wrote on Truth Social. 
“The US stands strong with India against Terrorism. We pray for the souls of those lost, and for the recovery of the injured. Prime Minister Modi, and the incredible people of India, have our full support and deepest sympathies. Our hearts are with you all.” 
White House Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt told reporters that President Trump has been briefed on the incident by the national security adviser Mike Waltz.