Pahalgam Terror Attack Live Updates: 'France stands firmly with India in this hour of grief' - Macron on Pahalgam attack

A Parmeshwaran, a 31-year-old ENT surgeon from Tamil Nadu, was airlifted from Srinagar and admitted to AIIMS Trauma Centre Thursday after sustaining severe gunshot wounds during the Pahalgam terror attack.

Parmeshwaran suffered injuries to the neck and abdomen. His initial treatment took place at Govt Medical College in Anantnag. Despite surgical intervention, his condition deteriorated, prompting his transfer to AIIMS for advanced medical care.

Sujatha, the wife of Bengaluru-based techie Bharath Bhushan who was killed in Tuesday's attack, said her husband tried to comfort her and their three-year-old son before being fatally shot, saying, "'Don't worry, don't worry... stay strong.'" The terrorist did not show mercy despite Bhushan being the father of a child, she said.

Sujatha said she had been near a tent checking out a traditional Kashmiri outfit when one of the terrorists, after gunning down a tourist, walked up and asked: "How is it that you are happy here while our children are being killed and we are suffering? Don't you read the news about us?" He then killed another tourist before pointing the gun at Sujatha's husband and asking his name. "My name is Bharath," Bhushan said, and was shot in the head, thrice, said Sujatha.

Official sources responded to Pakistan's "act of war" statement by saying the outburst showed that those behind it had not thought through the bellicosity, pointing out that putting Simla Agreement on hold had absolved India of any obligation to respect the Line of Control. "In effect, Pakistan is saying that LoC does not exist any more. So now, India can also cross it," a source said.

Sources pointed out that Pakistan's stand would also imply that the agreements on preventing inadvertent nuclear attacks as well as the one on pre-notification of ballistic missile testing are also no longer in force. "This is a shocking step by Pakistan to threaten the whole world with nuclear apocalypse," the source said while also pointing to the rise of "grave misunderstandings".

"Government deducts taxes from our salaries even before we receive them. We pay taxes while shopping, we pay tolls to use roads. VIPs enjoy every facility, including security convoys and helicopters. But when my husband needed protection, he got none. It seems only your (netas) lives matter, and not the common man's!"

This emotional outburst from Shital (43), the widow of Shailesh Kalathiya (44), who fell to a terrorist's bullets in Pahalgam, stunned netas including Union minister CR Paatil, Lok Sabha MP Mukesh Dalal, and Gujarat minister Harsh Sanghavi who visited the Kalathiyas' residence to mourn the tragedy. Shital, her son Naksh (10), and daughter Neeti (17) saw Shailesh dying before their eyes.

The Indian armed forces are maintaining a high-state of operational readiness amid heightened tensions with Pakistan, even as Army chief General Upendra Dwivedi will visit J&K on Friday and the rival navies conducted firing drills in their own waters in the Arabian Sea.

General Dwivedi will review the operational situation along the 778-km Line of Control and the counter-terror operations in the hinterland during his visit to the Udhampur-based Northern Command, as well as, Srinagar, and Anantnag, a senior officer told TOI.

Hours after Pakistan said any attempt to divert water meant for it under the Indus Waters Treaty will be an "act of war", an unfazed India on Thursday formally communicated to its hostile neighbour that the 1960 treaty will be held in abeyance with immediate effect.

"The obligation to honour a treaty in good faith is fundamental. However, what we have seen instead is sustained cross-border terrorism by Pakistan targeting the Indian Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir," Jalshakti ministry secretary Debashree Mukherjee said in a letter marked to her Pakistan counterpart Syed Ali Murtaza.

"We immediately removed 'tikli' (bindi) from our foreheads and started chanting 'Allahu Akbar', hoping we would be spared. But, they still killed my husband, his friend and another person sitting nearby," recounted a grieving Sangita Gunbote, while speaking to NCP(SCP) veteran Sharad Pawar on Thursday.

The mortal remains of Sangita's husband Kaustubh Gunbote (58) and his childhood friend Santosh Jagdale (50) were consigned to flames at Pune's Vaikunth crematorium on Thursday morning. Cries of sorrow and anger rang out as thousands gathered for the funerals of the two friends, who were shot dead by terrorists in Pahalgam in front of their family.

Notwithstanding the gloom and panic caused by the gruesome killings of over two dozen civilians in Pahalgam, J&K govt is determined to go ahead with the annual Amarnath Yatra, scheduled to start in early July.

Six Kashmiri students sat outside the locked doors of Jolly Grant airport in Dehradun, under dim floodlights and the half-watch of two security guards in the quiet hours before dawn on Thursday. They had arrived around 3:30am, fleeing their hostel in panic after watching a video in which a man warned that all Kashmiri Muslims must leave Uttarakhand by 10am or face "treatment". They waited until the terminal opened two hours later, sleepless and unsure of what to do next, before they made their escape.

Prominent Muslim institutions and groups across Uttar Pradesh on Thursday strongly condemned the Pahalgam terror attack. Darul Uloom Deoband, one of the largest Islamic seminaries in the subcontinent which is known for issuing 'fatwas', in a strongly-worded statement against the terrorists, emphasised that "targeting innocent civilians is grossly inhuman & directly against the tenets and teachings of Islam".

VC of Darul Uloom, Mufti Abul Qasim Nomani, called the "cowardly act" a threat to nation's unity and integrity and demanded strict action against the perpetrators. He also appealed to the people of India to remain united and maintain peace & harmony.

Aircraft operated by Indian carriers, charter operators and private jets registered here will have to take longer routes between North India and the west (Gulf, Middle East, CIS, Europe and North America) with Pakistan having closed its airspace for them starting Thursday 6pm (IST).

Pilots say flying times of Air India's direct flights from Delhi to North America could increase by up to two hours if they remain non-stop and are not required to take a midway fuelling halt, say in Europe. If that happens, the journey could take up to four hours longer.

"...As President Trump and Secretary Rubio have made clear, the United States stands with India, strongly condemns all acts of terrorism. We pray for the lives of those lost and pray for the recovery of the injured and call for the perpetrators of this heinous act to be brought to justice," says Tammy Bruce, US State Department spokesperson

A senior journalist was assaulted, leading to his hospitalisation, while covering a protest by BJP on Wednesday over the Pahalgam terror attack in Kathua district of Jammu & Kashmir.

The BJP was protesting against the horrific incident at Kalibari Chowk in Kathua when Dainik Jagran reporter Rakesh Sharma was assaulted by party activists for raising questions over security in the state.

A video of the assault went viral on social media on Wednesday evening.

Abdul Waheed Wani (38) heads the ponywalla association of Pahalgam. He was the first to reach Baisaran meadow on Tuesday after a local police officer called him about the terror attack. Standing on the mud track that leads to the meadow, he says he took a shorter route, called the Ganeshbal track, to get there.

“When I reached there at 3.10 pm, I saw something I will never be able to forget. Women were crying, seeking help as bodies were lying at multiple places in the meadow,” he said. Wani said he dropped a message to other ponywallas appealing to them to get to the meadow help evacuate the wounded. He said only the relatives of the wounded and the dead were there. The others had fled down different routes after the firing. Around 3,000 to 4,000 people were in the meadow.

An all-party meeting convened Thursday by Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah on Pahalgam massacre adopted a resolution condemning the barbaric act and supporting the measures taken by Union govt to bring the perpetrators to justice. The resolution termed the brutal killings an “assault on Kashmiriyat and the idea of India”

While expressing shock and grief over the loss of 26 innocent lives in the terror attack, the resolution also hailed the “supreme sacrifice” of pony guide Syed Adil Hussain Shah, and lauded the Kashmiri people for their “extraordinary display of moral and material support to all the tourists” across the Valley.

The ministry of external affairs (MEA) announced on Thursday that the Long Term Visas (LTVs) already issued to Hindu Pakistani nationals remain valid.

In a press release, MEA stated, "Reference Government of India's decision (24 April 2025) to suspend visa services to Pakistani nationals. It is hereby clarified that the revocation of visas specified in the above decision does not apply to the Long Term Visas (LTVs) already issued to Hindu Pakistani nationals, which remain valid."

After the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam on Tuesday that claimed 26 lives, India has decided to suspend visa services for Pakistani nationals, effective immediately.

In a statement, MEA stated, "In continuation of the decisions made by the Cabinet Committee on Security in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack, the Government of India has decided to suspend visa services to Pakistani nationals with immediate effect."

"All existing valid visas issued by India to Pakistani nationals stand revoked with effect from 27 April 2025. Medical visas issued to Pakistani nationals will be valid only till 29 April 2025," the statement added.

What stood out in Pakistan’s list of countermeasures against India’s Pahalgam offensive was its decision to put on hold the iconic 1972 Simla Agreement, along with all other bilateral agreements. Attempting a tit-for-tat over the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty a day earlier by India, Pakistan announced that it will exercise the right to hold the agreements in abeyance till India desists from “its manifested behaviour of fomenting terrorism inside Pakistan; trans-national killings; and non-adherence to international law and UN Resolutions on Kashmir”.​​​

Signed in July 1972 between then PM Indira Gandhi and President Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, after Pakistan’s comprehensive defeat in the Bangladesh war, the agreement was expected to lay the foundation of a peaceful and stable relationship between the 2 countries. Importantly for India, it stressed the importance of bilateralism and use of peaceful means in resolving disputes and differences, superseding the UN resolutions on Kashmir that Pakistan again referred to, while also underlining the sanctity of the Line of Control (LOC).

Chants of 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' rang out at the Gandhi Hall in the High Commission of India here on Thursday as a large diaspora gathering paid their respects to the victims of the Pahalgam terrorist attack. The sombre prayer meet, led by Indian High Commissioner to the UK Vikram Doraiswami, was marked by the stark images from Tuesday's attack in the Kashmir Valley.

The event was addressed by cross-party British parliamentarians, including diaspora organisations such as Labour Indians, and followed the matter being raised in the British Parliament earlier on Thursday.

"UK stands shoulder to shoulder in the face of cowardly attacks of terrorism against innocent civilians," said Catherine West, Foreign Office minister in charge of the Indo-Pacific.

"Both the Upper House and in the House of Commons, we had very solemn words from both sides of the House today, remembering those families, those victims. We must pull together at dangerous times like this, emphasise an element of justice, but also put our arms around the families and the communities who are in deep sorrow," she said.

Opposition Conservative Party MP Bob Blackman, who had raised the matter in the Commons as Chair of the Backbench Business Committee, has called for a UK government statement giving reassurance to the government of India in ensuring that they "apprehend the terrorists and that those responsible for supporting them are also brought to justice".

"From my personal perspective, I will strongly support whatever India does… to make sure the terrorists are brought to justice and if they can't be brought to justice, they must be eliminated," said Blackman.

Reference to the Government of India’s decision (24 April 2025) to suspend visa services to Pakistani nationals - It is hereby clarified that the revocation of visas specified in the above decision does not apply to the Long Term Visas (LTVs) already issued to Hindu Pakistani nationals, which remain valid: MEA

"The meeting went very well, and in fact, all the political leaders unanimously supported the action taken by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) with regard to Pakistan. The Government made it clear in the meeting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Government will have zero tolerance towards terrorist activities in our country and all the leaders expressed their solidarity with the Government for all the actions being taken by the Government and all the actions to be taken in the future," Union Minister Kiren Rijiju tells ANI after the all-party meeting.

"Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called Prime Minister Narendra Modi and strongly condemned the terrible terror attack on Indian soil. She conveyed her thoughts and prayers for the victims and wished a speedy recovery of those injured. She expressed full support of Italy in the fight against terrorism. PM Modi appreciated her call and the clear message of support against terrorism and those behind it. India and Italy will continue to work together including in international platforms to strengthen counter-terrorism efforts," posts MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.

After attending the all-party meeting convened by the central government, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge told ANI: "Defence Minister Rajnath Singh chaired the meeting, Union home minister Amit Shah was also there. All parties condemned the Pahalgam terrorist attack. We said that efforts should be made to maintain peace in Jammu and Kashmir."

Rahul Gandhi said: "The opposition has given full support to the government to take any action."

Rahul Gandhi will make courtesy visit to enquire health of the injured at GMC Anantnag.

Following the Indian government's decision to close the Attari Integrated Check Post (ICP) in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab Police Protocol Officer Arun Mahal confirmed that although the symbolic border gates stayed closed, both countries held their respective ceremonies independently. Mahal informed ANI that 28 Pakistani nationals were repatriated, while 105 Indian citizens returned home.

"The government of India has taken very strict decisions. The gates at the Attari-Wagah integrated check post were not opened and the parade was done in the respective areas. A total of 28 Pakistani nationals left for Pakistan from the Attari border and 105 Indian nationals have returned from Pakistan. There has been an impact on the number of tourists," the officer tells news agency ANI.

Two youths were arrested here on Thursday for allegedly posting objectionable content on social media platform Instagram in connection with the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam, police said. Speaking to PTI, Bulandshahr Rural Superintendent of Police Tejveer Singh said, "We received information about an objectionable post on Instagram. The matter was immediately taken up for investigation by the Chhatari police station.

"During the investigation, the involvement of two youths, identified as Anas and Faiz, came to light. Both have been arrested by the Chhatari police."

He further said that a case has been registered under relevant sections and further legal proceedings are underway.

The post was deemed "insensitive and inflammatory" by some locals in the wake of the terror attack in the Kashmir valley, where terrorists opened fire at tourists in Pahalgam, killing 26 people.

The Indian Air Force is carrying out Exercise Aakraman (Attack) over a large area in the central sector involving its mainstream fighter aircraft fleets led by the Rafale combat aircraft.

The Indian Air Force operates two squadrons of the Rafale aircraft which are based out of Ambala and Hashimara in West Bengal.

"The cutting-edge technology fighter jets are carrying out complex missions involving ground attack and electronic warfare drills," defence sources told news agency ANI.

"The assets of the Indian Air Force have been moved from multiple airbases, including from the eastern side," they added.

The Indian Air Force has been practising for complex ground attack missions for operations in different terrains, including plains and mountainous areas, the sources said.

Due to the announced restriction of Pakistan airspace for all Indian airlines, it is expected that some Air India flights to or from North America, UK, Europe, and Middle East will take an alternative extended route. Air India regrets the inconvenience caused to our passengers due to this unforeseen airspace closure that is outside our control. We would like to reiterate that at Air India, the safety of our customers and crew remains top priority. To check if your flight is affected by this disruption, please call our Contact Centre on 011 69329333, 011 69329999 or visit our website http://airindia.com, posts Air India.

The Manipur Pradesh Youth Congress on Thursday staged a protest against the Pahalgam terror attack, criticising the BJP-led government for its alleged failure "to protect innocent lives." The protest was led by Indian Youth Congress general secretary and Manipur in-charge Sarifa Rahman, along with the president of the State Youth Congress unit, Wahengbam Anand Singh, and others.

Protesters held placards reading 'Act against terror, act against Pakistan,' while raising slogans demanding justice and condemning the BJP government.

The protesters also attempted to stage a rally but were stopped by police in front of the Congress Bhavan, resulting in a brief stand-off.

A resolution unequivocally condemning the "heinous and inhumane" attack on innocent civilians in Pahalgam was passed at an all-party meeting convened by Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday. Reading out the resolution, Abdullah appealed to governments of other states and union territories to protect Kashmiris against any form of harassment in the wake of the Pahalgam killings.

"We, the participants of the All-Party Meeting of Jammu & Kashmir, deeply shocked and anguished by the recent barbaric attack in Pahalgam on 22nd April 2025 on innocent civilians, do hereby adopt this resolution in a spirit of collective solidarity," the chief minister said.

"We unequivocally condemn in the strongest possible terms the heinous, inhumane attack in Pahalgam that targeted and killed innocent civilians.

"Such cowardly acts of brutality against peaceful citizens have no place in society and are a direct assault on the values of Kashmiriyat, and the idea of India which have long been a symbol of unity, peace, and harmony in the region," he added.

Abdullah said all parties of Jammu and Kashmir stand "unwavering in our commitment" to support all efforts in bringing these perpetrators to justice.

"In doing so, we affirm that no act of terror can ever weaken our resolve or extinguish our indomitable spirit. We also support the steps taken by the Union Government announced yesterday," he added.

The Karnataka cabinet passed a resolution against the Pahalgam terror attack during their meeting in Chamarajanagar on Thursday. The information was given by Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah while he was speaking to the reporters.

Siddaramaiah expressed his solidarity with the government of India and said that there is a failure of intelligence in the Union Government.

"A resolution condemning the incident has been passed in the cabinet meeting and we also expressed our solidarity with the government of India. There is a failure of intelligence in the central government", Siddaramaiah told reporters.

Meanwhile, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said that they stand with the Union Government because the integrity of the nation is of utmost importance. He stated that some people are trying to politicise the issue which should not be done and peace should be maintained.

"We stand by the government because the nation's integrity is very important. Some of them are trying to politicise...We should all maintain peace and no one should politicise this...", DKS said.

Union HM Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, EAM Dr S Jaishankar are also present.

As India stepped up and vowed strong measures against Pakistan in the wake of a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Islamabad on Thursday said that any threat to its territory by New Delhi would be met with "firm reciprocal measures."

"The people of Assam are extremely angry at the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam. We stand with Prime Minister Narendra Modi... No one from Assam has been killed in this attack. Assam is one of the states that has suffered the most from terrorism and insurgency. We have seen such massacres before, so we can feel the pain... As a symbol of solidarity, the Assam government has decided to provide Rs 5 lakh to all the families whose loved ones have been killed in this massacre," says Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma.

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu called PM Narendra Modi and strongly condemned the terror attack on Indian soil. He expressed solidarity with the people of India, and the families of the victims. PM Modi shared the barbaric nature of the cross border terrorist attack and reiterated India’s firm resolve to bring the perpetrators and their supporters to justice, said MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.

Pakistan on Thursday suspended the 1972 Simla Agreement as a reaction against stringent measures taken by India amid nationwide grief over the terrorist attack in Pahalgam. It was a significant peace treaty signed between the two countries after the 1971 Indo-Pakistani war.

A Border Security Force (BSF) jawan has been detained by Pakistan Rangers after he accidentally crossed the Punjab border and talks are on between the two forces to secure his release, officials said on Thursday.

Constable PK Singh of the 182nd battalion was apprehended by the Pakistan Rangers across the Ferozepur border on Wednesday, they said.

The jawan was in uniform and carried his service rifle. He was accompanying farmers when he moved ahead to rest in shade and was apprehended by the Rangers. (PTI)