Jammu and Kashmir Pahalgam Terror Attack LIVE updates: India takes 5 major decisions, Attari border will be closed; Indus water treaty suspended

Pakistan's top diplomat, Saad Ahmad Warraich, was summoned by India in Delhi and handed a formal persona non grata note regarding his military diplomats.

BJP MP Tejasvi Surya expressed deep sorrow over the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, where three people from Karnataka were brutally murdered. He shared that, in coordination with the Union Home Ministry, the local administration, and the state government, efforts were made to ensure that the mortal remains and surviving family members safely reached Bengaluru.

Not long ago, a bandh in J&K would invariably mean a protest against the government orchestrated by a terrorist or separatist group. The page turned Wednesday, the morning after the horrors in Pahalgam, as the valley shut down to disown the perpetrators of what many termed “murder of Kashmiriyat” and an act that had heaped “shame” on Kashmiris.

Afghanistan's Taliban government on Thursday condemned the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, in which 28 civilians were killed, stating that such incidents undermine regional security and stability.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Abdul Qahar Balkhi, the spokesman for the Taliban-run Afghan ministry of foreign affairs, expressed condolences to the families of the victims.

The Taliban government in Afghanistan condemned the Pahalgam terror attack on Wednesday, stating that such incidents undermine efforts to maintain regional security and stability. Abdul Qahar Balkhi, a spokesman for Afghanistan's foreign ministry, offered condolences to the victims' families, saying, "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan categorically condemns the recent attack on tourists in Pahalgam and expresses condolences to the bereaved families." Despite deteriorating relations with Pakistan since the US withdrawal in August 2021, Afghanistan has described India as an "important" regional power. In January, Afghanistan's acting foreign minister, Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi, and Indian foreign secretary, Vikram Misri, met in Dubai, where Afghanistan assured India that it posed no threat to any nation and hoped to strengthen diplomatic ties.

J&K Police may have erred by not undertaking vulnerability mapping of terror-prone areas ahead of US Vice-President J D Vance's visit, in line with the standard practice followed since the Chittisinghpora massacre of 2000, in which 35 Sikhs were gunned down by LeT terrorists during then US President Bill Clinton's visit to India.

As per the SOP, every time a top foreign dignitary visits, a vulnerability mapping exercise is undertaken in J&K, as part of which areas prone to attacks - including high-footfall tourist spots - are identified and either temporarily restricted to public or given extra security through establishment of police pickets and deployment of additional manpower for security.

Lok Sabha LoP and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi arrived in Delhi after cutting short his US visit. Congress MP Jairam Ramesh tweeted that, "Rahul Gandhi has cut short his US visit and will be attending in person the CWC meeting in New Delhi tomorrow at 10:30 AM."

My name is Bharath," a 35-year-old Bengalurean said when a bunch of armed terrorists confronted him in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir Tuesday. What was a matter for pride for techie Bharath Bhushan was enough for the anti-India terrorists to shoot him dead in cold blood.

Spoken aloud, Bharath is indistinguishable from Bharat that is India. The homonym proved fatal. He was shot in the head in front of wife, Dr Sujatha — a paediatrician at Ramaiah Hospital — and their three-year-old son. What was meant to be a peaceful family getaway ended in horror.

YSRCP leader Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy condemned the terror attack in Pahalgam.

Reddy said:  “We strongly condemn the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir and express our heartfelt condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the incident. As per the directions of YSRCP Chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, candlelight rallies are being organised across all districts of the state to express our solidarity. We stand united with the forces that are fighting against terrorism.”

UP CM Yogi Adityanath is scheduled to visit Shubham’s family in Hathigaon tomorrow. Kanpur's Shubham Dwivedi was killed in the Pahalgam terror attack.

According to the CM’s office, he will land at Chakeri Airport from Lucknow at 9:25 a.m. and depart for Hathigaon at 9:30 a.m., reaching the family’s home by 9:40 a.m.

A buzzing hill station turned into a ghost town overnight as forlorn business owners and their staff huddled in silence outside shuttered shops on Wednesday, bracing for worse.

Umar Majid stood in front of his Dana Rasoli restaurant at Yanner rafting point, the entry point to Pahalgam, and spoke of how Tuesday’s carnage may have changed everything for the worse.

Former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak condemned the Pahalgam terror attack, writing on X: “The barbaric attack in Pahalgam has stolen the lives of newlyweds, children, and families simply seeking joy. Our hearts break for them. To those mourning, know that the UK stands with you in sorrow and solidarity. Terror will never win. We grieve with India.”

Following the terror attack in Jammu & Kashmir, Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi has ended his trip to the United States early and will be back in New Delhi to join the Congress Working Committee’s emergency meeting tomorrow at 10:30 am.

Canadian PM Mark Carney condemned the J&K terror attack, calling it a 'senseless and shocking act of violence.'

Carney took to X and said: "I am horrified by the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir, a senseless and shocking act of violence that has killed and injured innocent civilians and tourists."

"Canada strongly condemns this terrorist attack. We offer our condolences to the victims and their families," he added.

Congress MP Jairam Ramesh in a post on X wrote, "Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi has cut short his US visit and will be attending in person the CWC meeting in New Delhi tomorrow at 10:30 AM"

The body of 31-year-old businessman Shubham Dwivedi, who was shot dead by terrorists in front of his wife in Kashmir's Pahalgam, is likely to reach here on Thursday morning, officials said. Kanpur District Magistrate Jitendra Pratap Singh said the body is expected to be flown to the Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport in Lucknow on board a special flight around 11:30 pm on Wednesday.

It will then be taken to Kanpur by road and cremated on Thursday morning, he told PTI.

While Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath will meet the victim's family at their residence around 9:30 am, state Congress chief Ajay Rai said he will attend Dwivedi's last rites in Kanpur.

Meanwhile, the local traders' unions have announced for complete shutdown of shops and other business establishments in the city on Thursday till 2 pm to protest the terror attack, said Pankaj Arora, the president of Kanpur Mahanagar Sarafa Association.

Traders will converge at Nayaganj crossing of the city and burn effigies as a mark of protest against the dastardly attack and Pakistan, he added.

Dwivedi, who got married on February 12, was gunned down right in front of his wife in Kashmir's Pahalgam. He was among the 26 people, mostly tourists, who were killed at Baisaran meadow near Pahalgam in one of the most gruesome attacks targeting civilians in Kashmir in a long time.

Shubham, who ran a company dealing in cement, had gone to Kashmir on a week-long vacation on April 16 with his wife and nine other family members.

The group, including Shubham's parents, sister, brother-in-law, and her sister's in-laws, visited Sonamarg and Gulmarg before reaching Pahalgam, sources said.

Rajasthan chief minister Bhajanlal Sharma on Wednesday directed officials to maintain a high level of alertness and surveillance across the state, particularly in districts close to the Indo-Pak borders. In a virtual meeting with divisional commissioners, IGs, collectors and SPs, Sharma reviewed the security arrangements in place across the state.

He said that special vigilance is required in districts close to international borders and security agencies should work in continuous coordination.

Sharma instructed officials to treat even the smallest of incidents and pieces of information with seriousness and asked to immediately report such information with higher authorities.

He said that strict adherence to the comprehensive guidelines issued by the Home Department regarding law and order maintenance should be ensured.

The CM directed Additional Director General (ADG) in charge to remain in regular contact with district administration and police officials of their respective regions and conduct frequent visits to ensure effective supervision.

Sharma instructed that public places, tourist spots and crowded areas be closely monitored with sufficient police presence.

"This would help reassure both tourists and local residents about their safety," he said.

A wave of protests swept Jammu and Kashmir and other states on Wednesday against the Pahalgam massacre, with political parties as well as religious and social organisations asserting that such acts were against Islamic teachings and calling for unity in the face of the challenge posed by terrorists and their backers. Slogans against Pakistan were raised, its effigies and flags were burnt as the anger over the killing of innocents spilled onto streets, while candlelight marches were taken out by people from all walks of life to express solidarity with the victims.

In Delhi, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) held a candlelight vigil at Jantar Mantar while the Congress' youth wing held a candle march at its Raisina Road office. Several traders' associations across the national capital also joined in the condemnation, holding protests with black ribbons tied around their arms. They announced a Delhi Bandh on April 25 and held a candlelight march.

At Jawaharlal Nehru University, all major student unions -- the RSS-backed ABVP, Congress-affiliated NSUI, and the left-leaning AISF -- came together for a joint candle march inside the campus to condemn the attack.

Members of the Muslim Students Federation (MSF) take part in a candlelight vigil to pay respects and demand justice for the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack, at Jantar Mantar,

Kashmir observed a shutdown against the terror act in the Valley for the first time in 35 years as political parties, cutting across ideological differences, denounced the killings.

The iconic clock tower popularly known as 'Ghanta Ghar' in Srinagar became the centre of protests as political parties including NC and PDP took out marches from their office which culminated at the historic square at Lal Chowk.

"This should not happen -- not in the name of Kashmir and not in the name of Islam. Islamic teachings value human life to the point that taking an innocent life is akin to killing the entire humanity," Haji Bashir Ahmad Dar, a resident of Srinagar city, told PTI.

Several Muslim organisations, both jointly and individually, took out protest marches in Rajouri, Poonch, Doda, Kishtwar, Banihal and Udhampur.

"We condemn this attack. It is un-Islamic. Islam does not allow innocents to be killed. We want the government to take stern action against the culprits," said Aijaz Khan, a leader.

In a solemn gesture of solidarity and respect, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) paid tribute to the victims of the terror attack in Pahalgam during the Indian Premier League (IPL) match no. 41 between Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Mumbai Indians (MI) at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.

To honour those who lost their lives, a 60-second moment of silence was observed before the start of play, following a formal announcement over the public address system,, according to the media advisory by BCCI.

This allowed both in-stadium and broadcast audiences to participate in the tribute. During the toss, the captains of both teams offered their condolences and strongly condemned the heinous act. Throughout the match, players, match officials, commentators, and support staff wore black armbands as a mark of respect. The commentary team further acknowledged these gestures on air, reflecting on the emotional significance of the tribute and the nation's shared grief.

The BCCI also took a conscious decision to conduct the game without fanfare. There were no cheerleader performances, celebratory fireworks, music, or DJ activities -- ensuring a dignified atmosphere that honoured the solemnity of the occasion.

Devajit Saikia, Honorary Secretary, BCCI said, "The cricketing community is deeply shocked and anguished by the tragic loss of innocent lives in the gruesome terror attack at Pahalgam yesterday. On behalf of the BCCI, while condemning this ghastly and cowardly act with strongest possible words, I extend our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and prayers for the departed souls. In sharing their pain and grief, we stand hand in hand at this hour of tragedy," as quoted from the media advisory by BCCI.

Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel said, "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."

After the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives, Jamil Maqsood, leader of United Kashmir People's National Party, called on the international organisations to sanction Pakistan for "exporting terrorist organisations like Lashkar-e-Taiba and The Resistance Front."

In a self-recorded video, Maqsood expressed his grief and offered condolences to the families affected by the attack on Tuesday.

"It is very unfortunate that Pakistan is still using terrorism, extremism and fundamentalism as its foreign policy tool and exporting terrorism into the region. We have been demanding continuously from the international community and organisations that are working as watchdogs for these issues," Jamil Maqsood said.

"I condemn this heinous attack against innocent tourists. We demand that the United Nations Security Council, Financial Action Task Force and other institutions to sanction Pakistan for exporting terrorist organisations like LeT, TRF and others. All these terrorist organisations are getting the blessings of Pakistani security agencies, Pakistani government," the United Kashmir People's National Party leader said.

Pakistan will convene a rare meeting of its National Security Committee to respond to diplomatic measures imposed by India over a deadly attack in Kashmir, the government said.

The committee -- composed of senior civil and military officials and summoned only in cases of external threat or major terror attack -- will meet Thursday, deputy prime minister Ishaq Dar, who is also the foreign minister, said on X.

The bodies of two of the three Gujarat-based tourists who were among the 28 persons killed in the terror attack in Kashmir's Pahalgam reached Ahmedabad on Wednesday night, officials said. Shailesh Kalathiya from Surat, Yatish Parmar and his son Smit from Bhavnagar were among the 28 persons killed in the horrific terror attack in Pahalgam on Tuesday.

Of them, the bodies of Yatish Parmar and his son Smit were brought to the Ahmedabad airport in a flight from Mumbai. Gujarat Health Minister Rushikesh Patel and Minister of State for Health Harsh Sanghavi paid floral tributes to the departed souls at the airport, an official release said. From the airport, the bodies were taken to Bhavnagar in a mortuary van, it said. The body of Shailesh Kalathiya is expected to reach Surat later tonight.

Maulana Ilyas Khan Falahi, president of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH), Maharashtra, on Wednesday condemned the terrorist attack in Pahalgam and called for speedy justice for the victims. "The loss of innocent lives is deeply saddening. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their grieving families. There can be no justification for such a barbaric act. It is completely inhuman and deserves absolute and unequivocal condemnation. Those responsible must be brought to justice and given the harshest punishment," he said in a statement.

No cause can ever justify such violence, Falahi said, adding that the Centre and Jammu and Kashmir authorities should take decisive steps to ensure justice for the victims, bolster security measures and safeguard vulnerable communities. He also called on civil society, religious leaders and the media to refrain from narratives that may further inflame tensions.

Maharashtra deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde will be visiting Srinagar following the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam, which happened on Tuesday afternoon.

According to officials, Eknath Shinde left for Srinagar in a private plane.

"Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde leaves for Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir to help stranded people of the state", an official statement from the Maharashtra Deputy CM's office said.

A team of Shiv Sena workers has also left for Srinagar on Tuesday after the Pahalgam attacks. With Shinde himself heading to Jammu and Kashmir, the government-led relief efforts are expected to accelerate.

The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal workers on Wednesday staged demonstrations in Nagpur city of Maharashtra to condemn the Pahalgam terror attack, in which 26 persons were killed. The protest was held at the Badkas Chowk, during which the protesters raised slogans like "Pakistan murdabad", "Aatankwadi murdabad", and condemned the attack on Hindus in Pahalgam.

Talking with reporters during the protest, VHP's Nagpur Kshetra Mantri Amol Thakre said, "In the past, Kashmir valley witnessed many terrorist attacks. But this is the first incident wherein the attackers asked the religion of the victims and killed them when they came to know that the victims are Hindus." Thakre said that 26 people from Hindu religion were killed in the terror attack. "It is a very condemnable act. If they want to do 'jihad', then we also know how to do 'dharm yudh'," he said. Thakre urged the government to ensure the safety of Hindus.

Actor Kartik Aaryan on Wednesday condemned the terror attack on tourists in Kashmir's Pahalgam and said "such evil acts are unforgivable."

Taking to Instagram, he wrote, "Have experienced the heavenly beauty and calmness of Pahalgam and now seeing such devastating visuals from the same place is so heartbreaking. Such evil acts are unforgivable. Prayers and strength to the families who lost their loved ones."

Celebrities like Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan also expressed their grief over the shocking incident.

In the wake of the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam, security has been significantly tightened across Bihar ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's scheduled visit to the state on April 24.

Bihar Director General of Police Vinay Kumar issued an order regarding the security arrangements in the state, particularly focused on the India-Nepal border.

"On April 22, 2025, in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, terrorists carried out indiscriminate firing, killing 26 tourists and injuring a large number of others. It is being reported and broadcast in the media that the attack was executed after identifying the victims as belonging to a particular community," the order stated.

"The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, is scheduled to visit Darbhanga and Madhubani on April 24, 2025. In the past, sleeper cells of separatist and terrorist groups have been active in Darbhanga, Madhubani, and surrounding areas, and their involvement in nationally significant incidents has also been established. The presence of sleeper cells of terrorist groups with a separatist background cannot be ruled out in the border districts of the state," it added.

The order further stated that all "terrorist groups and sleeper cell members" should be kept under close and continuous surveillance.

"All necessary preventive and security measures should be taken. To control the activities of anti-social elements and terrorist groups, intensive vehicle checking should begin immediately, and surveillance should be maintained at crowded public places, bus stands, railway stations, malls, and religious places. The Senior Superintendent of Police / Superintendent of Police of the district must remain actively involved and carry out preventive and security-related actions," the DGP said in an order.

India on Wednesday suspended the Indus Water Treaty and announced downgrading diplomatic ties with Pakistan including expulsion of its military attaches in view of cross-border links to the Pahalgam terror attack. The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) met this evening under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and firmed up the responses to the terror attack.

The CCS decided that the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 will be held in abeyance with immediate effect, until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said at a media briefing.

The Integrated Check Post at Attari will be closed with immediate effect, he said.

Those who have crossed over with valid endorsements may return through that route before May 1, he said.

Misri said "the defence, military, naval and air Advisors in the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi are declared Persona Non Grata."

They have a week to leave India, he said.

India will be withdrawing its own defence, navy and air advisors from the Indian High Commission in Islamabad.

"These posts in the respective High Commissions are deemed annulled. Five support staff of the Service Advisors will also be withdrawn from both High Commissions," he said.

"The overall strength of the High Commissions will be brought down to 30 from the present 55 through further reductions, to be effected by May 1," he said.

The body of Sushil Nathaniel, one of the tourists killed in the Pahalgam terror attack, was brought to Indore in Madhya Pradesh on Wednesday night. Nathaniel (58), a resident of Indore who had gone to Jammu and Kashmir with his wife, daughter and son to celebrate Easter, was among the 26 people killed in the terror attack in Pahalgam on Tuesday. His body was brought to Indore in an aircraft from Kashmir around 9 pm.

State chief minister Mohan Yadav paid tributes to Nathaniel by offering a floral wreath at Indore airport. Yadav met the bereaved family members at the airport and expressed his condolences. Yadav consoled Nathaniel's family members, who could not hold back their tears.

Yadav told them that in this hour of grief and mourning, the entire country was with them. State BJP chief VD Sharma, water resources minister Tulsiram Silawat and other public representatives from Indore were present.

"An all-party meeting will be convened tomorrow on the terror attack-related situation. Home minister Amit Shah and defence minister Rajnath Singh are speaking to all parties," said government sources.

Foreign secretary Vikram Misry said, "The Defence/Military, Naval and Air Advisors in the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi are declared Persona Non Grata. They have a week to leave India. India will be withdrawing its own Defence/Navy/Air Advisors from the Indian High Commission in Islamabad. These posts in the respective High Commissions are deemed annulled. Five support staff of the Service Advisors will also be withdrawn from both High Commissions. The overall strength of the High Commissions will be brought down to 30 from the present 55 through further reductions, to be effected by 01 May 2025."

Foreign secretary Vikram Misri said, "The CCS reviewed the overall security situation and directed all forces to maintain high vigil. It resolved that perpetrators of this attack will be brought to justice and their sponsors held to account. As with the recent extradition of Tahawwur Rana, India will be unrelenting in the pursuit of those who have committed acts of terror or conspired to make them possible."

"Indus Water Treaty to be kept in abeyance with immediate effect till Pakistan stops cross border terrorism," foreign secretary Vikram Misri on Wednesday.

The central government is likely to convene an all-party meeting tomorrow, April 24. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to chair the meeting: Sources

MEA on J&K terror attack:

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said, "Recognising the seriousness of this terrorist attack, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) decided upon the following measures- The Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 will be held in abeyance with immediate effect until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism.

2) The integrated checkpost Attari will be closed with immediate effect. Those who have crossed over with valid endorsements may return through that route before 1st May 2025.

3) Pakistani nationals will not be permitted to travel to India under the SAARC visa Exemption scheme. Any SPES visas issued in the past to Pakistani nationals are deemed cancelled. Any Pakistani national currently in India under SPES visa has 48 hours to leave India.

4) The Defence, Military, Naval, and Air Advisors in the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi are declared persona non grata. They have a week to leave India.

5) India will be withdrawing its own Defence, Navy and Air advisors from the Indian High Commission in Islamabad. These posts in the respective High Commissions are deemed annulled.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's function at Madhubani district in Bihar on Thursday will be held without any ceremony in view of the Pahalgam terror attack that has killed at least 26 people, his cabinet colleague Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan said. The JD(U) leader was addressing a press conference on Wednesday at Jhanjharpur, a sub-division of Madhubani close to the Indo-Nepal border where the Prime Minister is scheduled to launch a number of projects and flag off a couple of semi-high-speed trains.

"It was a dastardly act in which tourists were killed. Our condolences are with the bereaved families. The Prime Minister is capable of responding to such a subversive attack carried out at the instance of the neighbouring country. He will do so at an appropriate time", said the Union minister without mentioning Pakistan by name.

He added, "There were doubts, in the light of the incident, over the PM's tour. But now the PMO has confirmed that he will be coming. But there would be no grand welcome, no garlanding, etc.

"Earlier we had planned for a short jeep ride, in which the PM, along with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, was to greet people on the way to the dais. That plan, too, has been shelved. He will attend the function organised on the occasion of Panchayati Raj Diwas, address the rally, and leave", said Lalan.