Jammu and Kashmir Pahalgam Terror Attack Highlights: CAIT announces complete halt of trade with Pak; 509 Pakistanis exit India as visa deadlines end

While talking to reporters on Saturday, MoS Defence Sanjay Seth said that all the retaliatory action that is be taken by India are justified. “We want as much action to be taken as is possible. Revenge will be taken for every tear that the families of victims have shed. Terrorists will not be spared. The world stands with India and PM Narendra Modi… The world stands against terrorism,” Seth added.

Visuals from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) headquarters at South Block show Pakistani diplomats entering the premises.

Additional SP of Gautam Buddha Nagar, Shri Manish Kumar Mishra, has urged all citizens to strictly follow drone regulations around Noida International Airport.

Flying drones without permission in this Red Zone is a punishable offense under the Airports Authority of India Act, 1934, and UAV operation rules.

Any person, institution, or group violating these rules will face strict legal action. As per the Ministry of Civil Aviation, DGCA, and security agencies, Noida International Airport has been officially declared a “No Drone Fly Zone” effective from October 8, 2024. Authorities have requested full cooperation to maintain airport security and public safety.

In the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack, Anantnag Police, along with the Army, CRPF, and other security forces, have intensified operations to dismantle terror networks across the district. Extensive search and cordon operations are being conducted both day and night, focusing on suspected hideouts and support bases.

So far, around 175 individuals have been detained for questioning as authorities aim to uncover and disrupt the ecosystem supporting terrorism. The operations reflect a heightened state of vigilance and determination to prevent further incidents and restore security in the region, Anantnag Police said in a statement on Saturday.

Reacting to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s offer for a neutral probe into the Pahalgam terror attack, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah dismissed the gesture, citing Pakistan’s earlier contradictory stance. Abdullah pointed out that Pakistan initially failed to even acknowledge the attack, instead accusing India of orchestrating it.

“For those who first blamed us, it’s hard to take their new statements seriously,” he said. Abdullah stressed that the incident was deeply unfortunate and should never have happened, but he added that he does not wish to give undue importance to Pakistan’s shifting narratives on the matter.

Security forces conduct searches at residences of those associated with terrorists in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir.

Former diplomat Rajiv Dogra reacted to Iran’s offer to mediate between India and Pakistan amid rising tensions, saying Iran understands India’s concerns deeply.

Dogra noted that Iran itself has suffered from terrorism originating from Pakistan, citing a recent attack in an Iranian border town by Pakistani operatives. He added that Iran, as a friend of India, would likely have conveyed strong advice to Pakistan during diplomatic discussions.

According to Dogra, Iranian officials would have urged Pakistan to take concrete steps to curb terrorism, warning that failure to act could permanently damage Pakistan’s relationship with India.

Pakistan’s Defence Minister, Khawaja Muhammad Asif, has called for an international investigation into the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people in Indian-administered Kashmir.

In an interview with the New York Times, Asif expressed Pakistan’s readiness to cooperate with any international probe into the incident. While India has suggested that Pakistani elements were involved in the attack, Pakistan has denied any connection. The attack has further fueled tensions between the two nuclear-armed nations, both of which claim the disputed Kashmir region.

Asif emphasized that Pakistan is open to working with international investigators to uncover the truth.

Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri has strongly condemned the Pahalgam terror attack, calling it a “cross-border terrorist attack” backed by a neighbouring state, with the perpetrators taking responsibility.

Puri echoed Prime Minister Modi’s statement that Pakistan will pay a heavy price, emphasising that this is just the beginning. He criticised Pakistan as a “rogue state in terminal decline” and lamented that terrorism robs people of their fundamental right to life.

Addressing Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari’s comments on the Indus Water Treaty suspension, Puri dismissed them, saying, “Tell him to jump somewhere in water… when there will be no water.” He also condemned the reported throat-slitting gesture by Colonel Taimur Rahat, calling it state-sponsored terrorism and warning Pakistan that it would face consequences for its actions.

Members of the Indian community staged a protest at Federation Square in Melbourne, condemning the Pahalgam terrorist attack.

Read more: Holding Abhinandan’s poster, Pak diplomat makes throat slit gesture at Indian protestors in UK

A group of tourists from Maharashtra shares their experience, praising the warmth and hospitality of Kashmiris. They said they were warmly welcomed, felt very safe, and urged others to visit Kashmir and experience its peace and beauty.

Pakistan is open to participating in any neutral and transparent investigation into the Pahalgam terror attack, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Saturday. He reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to peace but stressed that water remains a vital national interest, reports Pak-based GEO News.

“It is the lifeline for our 240 million citizens,” he said, emphasising that Pakistan will protect its water rights under all circumstances. The statement comes amid heightened tensions with India following the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty.

Sharif called for restraint and diplomacy, urging international actors to support dialogue and impartial investigation into the attack.

The Resistance Front, a shadow outfit linked to Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, denied involvement in the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians.

In a statement released Saturday, the group distanced itself from the assault, which has escalated tensions between India and Pakistan in recent days.

Seema Haider, who made headlines in 2023 after illegally entering India from Pakistan to marry her lover Sachin Meena, has appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to allow her to stay in India. Amid rising tensions following the Pahalgam terror attack and India’s suspension of visa services for Pakistani nationals, Seema fears deportation.

In a video circulating on social media, Seema, who claims to have converted to Hinduism after her marriage, said, “I was Pakistan’s daughter, but now I’m India’s daughter-in-law.” Her lawyer, Advocate AP Singh, asserted that Seema should not be affected by the Centre’s new directive, arguing her citizenship is now tied to her Indian husband.

The couple, who first connected through online gaming in 2019, now resides in Greater Noida. Despite public backlash, Seema remains hopeful she can continue her new life in India with her family.

Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday announced the arrest of a man, Md Mustak Ahmed, for posting “Pakistan Zindabad” on Facebook.

Ahmed, a resident of Saykut village in Karimganj district, was taken into custody on Friday night. Sarma also revealed the arrest of another youth from Hajo and warned of strict action against anti-national activities. He stated that anyone supporting Pakistan, directly or indirectly, would face charges under the National Security Act (NSA).

Reaffirming a zero-tolerance approach, Sarma emphasized that his government is thoroughly investigating all such posts and will take firm legal action.

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has issued a fiery warning following India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, declaring, “Either our water will flow, or their blood.”

Addressing a rally in Sukkur, Bilawal emphasised the historic and cultural significance of the Indus River, calling it the lifeblood of Sindh and symbol of Pakistan’s heritage. He accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of threatening this bond and warned that any attempt to divert Indus waters would provoke a national outcry. Urging unity among Pakistan’s provinces, Bilawal vowed to resist what he called “Indian aggression” and defend the Indus with unwavering resolve.

In a stern response to the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives, authorities in Kashmir have demolished the houses of three suspected terrorists in south Kashmir. The operation, carried out on Friday night, marks an intensified crackdown on terror infrastructure in the region.

Targets in Pulwama, Shopian, and Kulgam
Officials confirmed that the homes of Ahsan ul Haq Sheikh (Pulwama), Shahid Ahmad Kuttay (Shopian), and Zakir Ahmad Ganie (Kulgam) were razed. Sheikh was reportedly trained in Pakistan and had recently re-entered the Valley. Kuttay, a top Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) commander, was active for over three years, while Ganie was under surveillance for his involvement in recent terror activities.

Earlier, during operations on Thursday night, the homes of two other terror suspects—Aadil Hussain Thokar and Asif Sheikh—were damaged in explosions caused by hidden explosives during security searches. Both are suspected of involvement in the Pahalgam bloodbath. Security forces ensured safe evacuation of civilians nearby before the blasts.

With five homes now razed in total, officials have signalled a no-tolerance approach to terrorism, targeting safe houses, infrastructure, and operatives suspected of enabling attacks.

Prime Minister Sharif firmly warned against any attempt to stop or divert Pakistan’s water share under the Indus Waters Treaty, calling water a “vital, national interest.”

He vowed that any interference would be met with full force, stressing that no one should underestimate Pakistan’s resolve to protect its water rights, reports Pakistan-based GEO news.

BJP president J P Nadda on Saturday condemned the Pahalgam terror attack, calling it a cowardly act, and said India will give a “befitting” reply under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership.

He expressed the nation’s anger and faith that a strong response will follow, invoking Lord Ganesh’s blessings for strength and wisdom.

Amid the ongoing closure of Pakistan’s airspace for Indian carriers, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Saturday issued an advisory to airlines, urging them to enhance communication and in-flight services for passengers. The closure has led to longer international flight durations, especially from northern cities like Delhi.

The advisory focuses on five key areas: pre-flight communication, catering and passenger comfort, medical readiness, customer support, and internal coordination. With rerouted flights, extended block times, and potential technical stops, the DGCA stressed the need for airlines to maintain high service standards during the disruption.

Following the Centre’s decision to revoke all visas issued to Pakistani nationals, 228 Pakistanis residing in Madhya Pradesh have been asked to leave India before the April 27 deadline.

A senior state government official confirmed the figures, stating that authorities are coordinating with the Centre to ensure compliance. The visa revocations come amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan after the deadly Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, which left 26 people, mostly tourists, dead.

Officials are actively working to identify and inform the affected individuals as part of the broader national security measures.

(With PTI inputs)

On Pahalgam terrorist attack, Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati says, “An attack happened in Kashmir, I have heard that the government is mulling to postpone the Char Dham Yatra (in Uttarakhand), but I believe that the Yatra should resume. It is now sure that there is someone who is challenging Hindus. If there is a challenge, the government should take the challenge and answer, we are also contemplating about our security, the government is failing. The militants intruded easily, carried weapons, killed people, then left. This incident shows that all the Hindus should themselves think about securing themselves. If there is a need, the Hindus should guard themselves with own weapons. They say that they are ‘chaukidaar’, but there was no attempt to resist the militants. If they came from Pakistan, there should be an action… We need to learn from this incident, first of all, we need to get people accountable, punished, who erred in guarding us. Then, if there is an outside hand, then we should attack them as well.”

On Pakistan’s firing along the LoC, Major General (Retd) PK Sahgal says, “Pakistan is angered, first they did small arms fire, yesterday they did artillery firing, India retaliated both the times, there has been no casualty here, but I am sure we would have destroyed some of their posts. Whenever Pakistan would give us opportunity, India will answer properly. The bankrupt Pakistan does not have enough arms and ammunition to afford a prolonged war against India.”

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has cautioned that any Indian military action against Pakistan could spark an “all-out war” between the two nuclear-armed nations.

Speaking to Sky News, Asif emphasised that the global community should be “worried” about the potential for a full-scale conflict.

Rising tensions after Kashmir attack
The warning follows a deadly terror attack in India-held Kashmir’s Pahalgam region earlier this week, which left at least 26 civilians dead. Responsibility for the assault was reportedly claimed by The Resistance Front (TRF), a known proxy of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).

Following the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, protests in Sindh have intensified, with demonstrators rejecting federal assurances and continuing their sit-in against proposed canal projects on the Indus River, Dawn reported.

Despite the government’s announcement to pause the initiative until further dialogue, the blockade has severely disrupted Pakistan’s supply chain. Transport Goods Association President Tariq Gujjar reported that 10,000 to 15,000 vehicles—including those carrying essential goods and livestock—are stranded across key routes.

Protest leaders, including lawyers, have stated they will maintain the blockade until a formal notification is issued on May 2 during the Council of Common Interests meeting.

(With ANI inputs)

Indian and Pakistani troops exchanged gunfire for a second straight day on Saturday as ties plummeted between the two nuclear-armed neighbours after an attack on tourists by Pakistani militants killed 26 in Pahalgam, reports Reuters.

The Indian Army said its troops responded to “unprovoked” small arms fire from multiple Pakistan Army posts that started around midnight on Friday along the 740-km (460-mile) LoC separating the Indian and Pakistani areas of Kashmir.

The Indian Army said Pakistani troops had opened up with sporadic fire around midnight on Thursday. No casualties were reported from the Indian side, it said.

A day after India formally notified Pakistan of the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) with immediate effect, the government has begun evaluating a range of strategies to harness the waters of the Indus basin rivers across short, medium, and long-term timelines.

Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil stated firmly, “We will ensure that not even a drop of water from the Indus river goes to Pakistan.”

The move to halt the IWT is part of a broader set of retaliatory measures following the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22, which claimed the lives of 26 civilians. In high-level meetings held Friday, officials reportedly presented various actionable plans for water utilisation, exploring legal, technical, and engineering pathways to maximize India’s use of the Indus basin waters.

Sources indicated that the government is actively considering water diversion projects and accelerated infrastructure development as part of its immediate and long-term responses. Each option is being weighed against treaty obligations, international water-sharing norms, and feasibility constraints to ensure compliance and sustainability.

Normalcy returns to Kashmir Valley, days after Pahalgam terror attack. Visuals from Dal Lake in Srinagar.

Visuals of a destroyed house in Chotipora, allegedly linked to a terrorist.