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

Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda met with the family of slain Indian Navy Lieutenant Vinay Narwal in Haryana on Friday afternoon.

“The terrorists have committed a cowardly act. They should be punished. The families of the deceased should get justice…The government has taken the right decisions (against Pakistan). The entire country is united,” he said.

Meanwhile fellow party leader and former Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel met the family of Dinesh Miraniya, who was also killed in the attack.

A local court in Assam’s Nagaon district has sent AIUDF MLA Aminul Islam to 4 days police remand after he was produced before the court. Nagaon district police yesterday arrested him for his remarks on the terror attack in Pahalgam

Army chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi has reached Udhampur to review the security situation at the Northern Command headquarters there. The chief is being briefed on the security situation along the LoC in Poonch-Rajouri districts and other areas South of Pir Panjal mountain ranges: Army officials

“Met the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, Congress MP KC Venugopal, Congress MLAs Ghulam Ahmad Mir & Tariq Hameed Karra and RS MP Dr Syed Naseer Hussain at Raj Bhavan. We discussed various aspects related to heinous terror attack in Pahalgam” the office of LG J&K wrote on X.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday said he has deputed his cabinet ministers to various cities across the country to instill a sense of security among Kashmiri students and businessmen following reports of harassment after the Pahalgam terror attack. He said the purpose of these visits is to coordinate efforts with the respective state governments and ensure the safety and well-being of Jammu and Kashmir residents.

“With a view to instilling a sense of security among our students and businessmen currently in other states, I have deputed my Cabinet Ministers to various cities across the country,” Abdullah said in a post on his official X handle.

Amid heightening tensions between the two countries, Pakistan’s Senate on Friday passed a resolution rejecting India’s “frivolous and baseless attempts” to link the country with the Pahalgam terror attack. Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar moved the resolution, which got across-the-board support from parties in the upper house of parliament.

“Pakistan remains fully capable and prepared to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity against any aggression, including water terrorism or military provocation,” the resolution said.

The resolution, rejecting all “frivolous and baseless attempts” to link Pakistan with the attack, said killing innocent civilians was against the values upheld by Pakistan. It condemned “the orchestrated and mala fide campaign by the Indian government to malign Pakistan, which follows a familiar pattern of exploiting the issue of terrorism for a narrow political goal.” The resolution also condemned India’s declaration to hold the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance and said the move amounted to “an act of war”.

Visuals shared online showed traders and other people leading a protest march in Pahalgam on Friday afternoon.

“I want to let everyone know that the whole nation is standing together as one. Yesterday, we had a meeting with the government. As the united opposition, we condemned the action and said we stand together with whatever action the government wants to take. The idea behind what has happened is to divide society and make brothers fight with each other. It is very important that every single Indian stands together and united,” he said.

“It is sad to see that some people are attacking my brothers and sisters from Kashmir and the rest of the country and I think it’s very important that all of us stand together, stand united and fight this nasty action that has been taken and defeat terrorism once and for all. I also met the Chief Minister and the LG, and they briefed me about what had happened, and I assured both of them that my party and I are going to fully support them,” he said.

“Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Keir Starmer called Prime Minister Narendra Modi and conveyed his sincere condolences on the innocent lives lost in the heinous terror attack on Indian soil. He strongly condemned the barbaric terror attack and expressed that UK stands with the people of India in this hour of tragedy,” shared MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.

Pakistan Defence Minister Khwaja Asif has admitted the country’s history of supporting, training and funding terrorist organisations as “dirty work” for the West, a mistake for which he said Pakistan had suffered.

In an interview with Sky News aired overnight, news presenter Yalda Hakim questioned Asif on Pakistan’s response and stance on terrorism in the aftermath of the terrorist attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 people earlier this week.

“You do admit, sir, that Pakistan has had a long history of backing and supporting and training and funding these terrorist organisations,” asked Hakim.

“Well, we have been doing this dirty work for the United States for about three decades, you know, and the West, including Britain,” replied Asif.

“That was a mistake, and we suffered from that, and that is why you are saying this to me. If we had not joined the war against the Soviet Union and later on the war after 9/11, Pakistan’s track record… was an unimpeachable track record,” he said.

“India and Pakistan both have banned the airspace. The issue is the Chicago convention which was signed in 1944. It gives sovereign rights over each country’s airspace. While there are agreements on commercial flights which they will continue, the banning of flights over their sovereign territory goes on, especially with India and Pakistan. It has happened many times earlier. And, either party has approached the International Civil Aviation Organisation for mediation. Both sides are doing it because of this incident in Pahalgam. It is unfortunate but it is not the first time,” he told PTI.

“A very tragic incident took place this week, which has shaken our hearts. The way people were identified, their religion was asked, and more than 25 people were killed in front of their families… we condemn it,” said President of All Parties Hurriyat Conference, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq.

Visuals shared online showed AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi distributing black armbands during Friday prayers in Hyderabad. He had urged people to wear black armbands during Friday prayers to protest against Pahalgam terror attack.

Border Security Force Director General Daljit Chawdhary today met Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan at his North Block office. The meeting was significant as a BSF trooper has been detained by Pakistan Rangers after he inadvertently crossed the International Border near Punjab’s Ferozpur on Wednesday while providing security to farmers.

Members of Bazar Matia Mahal Traders Association in Delhi held protests on Friday against the Pahalgam terror attack. The protest was being held at the stairs of Jama Masjid after jumma namaz.

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#watch | Delhi: Bazar Matia Mahal Traders Association held a protest against #pahalgamterrorattack on the stairs of Jama Masjid after offering the Juma Namaz pic.twitter.com/esRrNMnHZu

— ANI (@ANI) April 25, 2025

Aligarh District Magistrate Sanjeev Ranjan said that around 50 Pakistani nationals are currently in Aligarh on visas. However, the exact figures lie with the Local Intelligence Unit (LIU). He added that central agencies are handling the matter and the local administration will provide any assistance they may need.

Samajwadi Party MP Ram Gopal Yadav expressed concern over the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, pointing out that for the first time, people across Kashmir took to the streets in protest against the attack, showing their solidarity. He accused the BJP and its allies of trying to stir communal tensions, despite the fact that both Hindus and Muslims were victims of the attack. He praised the local Muslim community for stepping in to help the injured, taking them to hospitals and trying to save lives. According to him, most of the terrorists involved are trained in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and are not supported by the people of Kashmir anymore. He claimed that Pakistan is trying to create a religious divide to further its own goals.

N Ramachandran, a Kerala resident who was killed in the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, was cremated with full state honours on Friday. His mortal remains were first brought to Changampuzha Park for the public to pay their last respects, before being taken to his home for the final rites. Following the Kerala government’s instructions, the Kochi City Police Commissioner made arrangements to ensure state honours were given during the cremation.

Speaking about the Pahalgam terror attack, Himachal Pradesh Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla said the incident has deeply hurt every Indian. He noted that Home Minister Amit Shah visited the site quickly and that the entire Opposition is united in support of the government’s actions. He mentioned that the government is taking strict measures in response, including steps that were not taken even during past wars, such as suspending water sharing and cancelling all visas. He added that Pakistan is now worried about what steps India might take next.

Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia offered his condolences to the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack on Friday. He said that those behind the attack targeted the heart of India, but they don’t understand that the country becomes even stronger when faced with such challenges. Speaking at a Telecom Engineering Centre event on Quantum Technology, Scindia said that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, India will give a strong response to the terrorists and those supporting them. He added that the Prime Minister has made it clear that the attackers and their planners will face punishment beyond what they can imagine.

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha met with Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi on Friday and urged him to take strong action against those behind the Pahalgam terror attack. He also called for intensified efforts to dismantle the entire terror network and its support system. During their discussion, the Lieutenant Governor emphasized that the country has complete faith in the courage and dedication of the Army, police, and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs). He stressed the need for all security forces to work together to identify those directly involved in the attack, their supporters, and overground workers. Sinha said that a sustained effort must be made to track down everyone connected to the incident and bring them to justice.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah is currently holding a meeting where he has asked all chief ministers to identify all Pakistan nationals in their respective states and promptly ensure their return to Pakistan.

President of Trader’s Association, Central Lal Chowk, Feroz Ahmad Baba, says, “… We have put up these black flags outside all the shops in the whole market in protest against the killings in Pahalgam. This is an expression of our solidarity with those who lost their loved ones… We saw such a massive attack on tourists for the first time. It was extremely unfortunate…”

AIMIM Chief Asaduddin Owaisi donned a Black Band on the forearm and distributed black bands to the people before the Juma Namaz in Shastripuram mosque in Hyderabad in condemnation of the recent Pahalgam terror attack.

The Jammu and Kashmir Raj Bhavan stated that UT Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has asked the Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi to take effective steps not only to bring those responsible for the Pahalgam terror attack to justice but also to intensify efforts to crush the infrastructure of terrorism and its ecosystem.

NHRC has issued a statement condemning the violent Pahalgam attack on tourists. Take a look:

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NHRC (National Human Rights Commission) condemns the #pahalgamterrorattack pic.twitter.com/R4aY2Y3eWa

— ANI (@ANI) April 25, 2025

Congress MP and LoP Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, has reached Hari Niwas in Srinagar to meet rest of the party leaders and civil delegations.

Commenting on Congress MP Rahul Gandhi’s visit to Srinagar after the Pahalgam terror attack, Telangana Minister Ponnam Prabhakar said that the party fully supports the Indian government in any decision related to national security. He stressed that this is not a political issue but a matter of the country’s safety. He also said that Rahul Gandhi will always take a leading role in any efforts needed to protect the people of India.