A devastating terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir has left 26 dead, including tourists, a naval officer on honeymoon, and locals. Survivors recount harrowing moments as gunmen opened fire at a popular resort. Eyewitnesses say non-Muslims were targeted, though official confirmation is pending. Families are in mourning, and protests have erupted across India and Kashmir. Prime Minister Modi cut short his trip and vowed a strong response. A nationwide manhunt is underway. The brazen assault has sparked fears of renewed hostilities with Pakistan, as leaders demand justice for the innocent lives lost in one of Kashmir's deadliest attacks in years. (PC: PTI, EPA, BBC)

In a strong response to the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives, India on Wednesday revoked the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme for Pakistani nationals. The Cabinet Committee on Security, chaired by PM Narendra Modi, ordered all Pakistanis currently in India under this scheme to leave within 48 hours. The Indus Waters Treaty has been suspended, and the Attari border crossing shut. Diplomatic staff strength will also be slashed, with military advisors expelled. India cited cross-border linkages to terrorism as the basis for these moves, emphasizing zero tolerance for terror and garnering global solidarity. (PC: NDTV)

In a powerful response to the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians, India has suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, cut water flow cooperation, shut the Attari-Wagah border, and banned the entry of Pakistani nationals. The decisions came after a high-level Cabinet Committee on Security meeting chaired by PM Modi. India also expelled Pakistani military envoys and ordered a reduction in Pakistan's High Commission staff in New Delhi. These diplomatic and strategic moves mark India's toughest stance yet, signaling zero tolerance for cross-border terrorism allegedly backed by Pakistan-based groups like the Lashkar-linked TRF. (PC: PTI)

Former Foreign Secretary Kanwal Sibal has called for the indefinite suspension of the Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan following the terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 26. "Blood and water can't go together," Sibal posted on X, urging India to act on its declared position. The attack, claimed by Lashkar-linked group TRF, occurred during US Vice President JD Vance’s visit, which Sibal cited as a strategic advantage. He said the move would send a strong message not only to Pakistan but also to regional neighbors. The treaty, signed in 1960, governs water-sharing between the two countries. (PC: NDTV)

J&K CM Omar Abdullah hailed 30-year-old pony ride operator Syed Adil Hussain Shah as a hero after he was killed trying to save tourists during the Pahalgam terror attack. Shah, who took tourists to Baisaran on horseback, was shot thrice while attempting to snatch a rifle from a terrorist. "He tried to snatch a weapon to save the tourists he had ferried," Omar Abdullah said after offering fatiha at Shah’s funeral in Anantnag. The CM assured full government support to Shah’s family, calling him the sole breadwinner. Locals and officials alike remembered Shah’s sacrifice as an act of rare courage. (PC: PTI)

In the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives, former Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram emphasized the need for a comprehensive manhunt and a review of local intelligence mechanisms. Highlighting the importance of grassroots intelligence, he noted the challenges in policing sensitive regions without local support. Chidambaram affirmed the Congress party's backing for any effective government response and advocated for an all-party meeting post-fact-finding. He underscored the necessity of a broad social consensus against terrorism, warning against any condonation of violence. While reiterating the Congress's call for restoring Jammu and Kashmir's statehood, he clarified that this issue is distinct from counter-terrorism efforts. (PC: The Economic Times)

In response to the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives, Prime Minister Narendra Modi convened a Cabinet Committee on Security meeting at his residence. Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman attended. The attack, attributed to Lashkar-e-Taiba commander Saifullah Kasuri, involved militants infiltrating from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Intelligence had prior indications but failed to act. The attackers used helmet-mounted cameras, suggesting plans to broadcast the assault. Security forces have launched extensive operations, including aerial surveillance, to apprehend the perpetrators. Defence Minister Singh vowed to pursue both the attackers and their conspirators. Amit Shah visited the attack site and met with the injured.

Businessman Robert Vadra has sparked controversy by linking the recent Pahalgam terror attack to growing Hindu-Muslim divisions in India. He criticized the government's emphasis on Hindutva, suggesting it leaves minorities feeling vulnerable and marginalized. Vadra emphasized that terrorism has no religion but argued that communal tensions contribute to such incidents. He urged the government to uphold secularism and ensure the safety of all citizens. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) condemned Vadra's remarks, with spokesperson CR Kesavan calling them "unpardonable" and accusing Vadra of echoing terrorist narratives. Vadra clarified that his statements were personal opinions and not representative of the Congress party or his family. (PC: PTI)

Tensions escalated along the Line of Control as Pakistan violated the ceasefire in the Tata Pani area of Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch, just a day after the deadly Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives. The Indian Army responded effectively to the gunfire. In a separate incident, troops thwarted an infiltration attempt in Baramulla’s Uri sector, sparking a fierce encounter. These developments follow the brutal attack in Baisaran Valley where terrorists verified identities and targeted non-Muslim tourists. Prime Minister Modi returned from Saudi Arabia early, convening a high-level Cabinet Committee on Security to address the rapidly deteriorating situation in Kashmir. (PTI)

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has vowed a strong response to those responsible for the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people, including two foreigners. Addressing the nation a day after the attack, Singh declared, "We will get those behind the scenes." He emphasized India's zero-tolerance policy for terrorism and chaired a high-level meeting with top defence officials to review security in Jammu and Kashmir. The attack, claimed to be carried out by The Resistance Front, a Lashkar-e-Taiba affiliate, targeted tourists in Baisaran. Singh instructed the military to intensify anti-terror operations, echoing PM Modi’s firm stance against the perpetrators. (PC: India Today)