Jammu and Kashmir Pahalgam Terror Attack Highlights: Jammu and Kashmir’s political leaders have sharply criticized Pakistan for its longstanding support of terrorism, following remarks from Pakistani officials acknowledging their country’s role in promoting extremism. GM Shaheen of the Janata Dal United (JDU) and Altaf Thakur of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have called for strong international actions against Pakistan, particularly its potential re-listing on the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) grey list.
Shaheen, the President of JDU in Jammu and Kashmir, emphasized the importance of holding Pakistan accountable for its actions. “We have been providing evidence for the past thirty-five years. Thousands of proofs regarding figures like Azhar Masood have been submitted. Pakistan has long supported terrorist activities, including sending soldiers across the border to Jammu and Kashmir for target killings,” Shaheen told ANI. He further added, “Pakistan’s policy has always been to support terrorism and target countries like India, Russia, and the United States.”
Meanwhile, BJP leader Altaf Thakur called Pakistan “the source of global terrorism,” stating, “Pakistan is a paradise for terrorists, supporting and exporting terrorism across the globe.” Thakur also referred to recent events, including the deadly Pahalgam attack on April 22, 2025, where 26 people were killed, claiming that the Lashkar-e-Taiba, a terror group with deep ties to Pakistan, was behind the assault.
Thakur’s criticism extended to Pakistan’s foreign policy, accusing its top leaders, including Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto, of openly acknowledging Pakistan’s role in terrorism. “They have admitted, through international channels, that they have been promoting and exporting terrorism for decades,” Thakur said.
The leaders’ comments come amid global efforts to put pressure on Pakistan, urging the FATF to place the country back on the grey list due to its support for terrorist activities. As international condemnation mounts, it remains to be seen whether the world will unite to hold Pakistan accountable for its actions.
Jammu and Kashmir Pahalgam Terror Attack Live Updates:
The Pakistan Army’s top brass convened a special Corps Commanders’ Conference (CCC) on Friday at the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi to assess the ongoing “standoff” with India.
Chaired by Army Chief General Asim Munir, the meeting came amid rising tensions following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.
The commanders reaffirmed the military’s “unflinching resolve” to defend Pakistan against any “aggression or misadventure.” This meeting followed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s April 29 statement granting the armed forces “complete operational freedom” to determine the response's mode, targets, and timing in the wake of the deadly attack.
Pahalgam terror attack LIVE: Atif Aslam, Fawad Khan's Instagram accounts blocked in India
After Hania Amir, Mahira Khan and Sajal Aly, singer Atif Aslam and actor Fawad Khan's Instagram accounts have now been banned in India.
Pahalgam terror attack LIVE: Shehbaz urges Saudi, Gulf nations to help defuse tensions with India
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday urged “brotherly countries,” including Saudi Arabia, to play a role in defusing tensions with India following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.
In meetings with the ambassadors of Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Kuwait, Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to regional peace.
The diplomatic outreach comes amid escalating India-Pakistan tensions and reflects Islamabad’s reliance on close ties with key Muslim nations for mediation support.
Pahalgam terror attack LIVE: Chinese Ambassador meets PM Shehbaz Sharif to discuss India-Pakistan tensions
Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan, Jiang Zaidong, met with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad on Thursday to discuss the rising tensions between India and Pakistan.
According to an official statement from the Chinese Embassy, Jiang reiterated China’s call for both nations to exercise restraint. He emphasized China’s understanding of Pakistan’s legitimate security concerns and expressed support for the country’s efforts to safeguard its sovereignty.
Jiang also called for a swift and impartial investigation into recent incidents, urging both India and Pakistan to engage in dialogue, manage differences, and work together to maintain regional peace and stability.
Pahalgam terror attack LIVE: 'Pony ride operators were first to help' - Terror attack survivor
Subodh Patil, a 60-year-old tourist from Navi Mumbai, who survived the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, said on Friday that it was the local pony ride operators who first came to his aid after he was shot. Patil returned to his Kamothe home on Thursday night after receiving treatment at an army hospital.
Choking up while recounting the harrowing day, Patil said he was unconscious after being shot in the neck. "When I regained consciousness, there were dead bodies around me. A group of pony ride operators approached and gave me water," he recalled.
Among them was the pony handler he had hired earlier. "He assured me my wife was safe and told me not to worry," Patil said. Another man helped him to his feet and supported him, constantly reassuring him not to be afraid.
The operators carried him outside, helped him onto a cot, and later arranged a vehicle to take him to the army's medical facility. "From there, I was flown to the army hospital. I owe my life to them," Patil said.
After actors, India has now blocked the Instagram accounts of several Pakistani cricketers, including Haris Rauf and Shaheen Afridi, Babar Azam, Mohammed Rizwan, Shaheen Afridi, Shoaib Malik, Shoaib Akhtar, and many more.
Earlier, Shahid Afridi, Kamran Akmal, Basit Ali, and Shoaib Akhtar's YouTube channels were also banned in India following the terror attack.
Pahalgam terror attack LIVE: Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Pak links with terror groups
After Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chief Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has acknowledged that Pakistan has a troubled history with extremist groups.
Pahalgam terror attack LIVE: Bilawal Bhutto says ''Pak has history with extremist groups"
Pakistan has suffered greatly due to its past links with extremist groups, Pakistan Peoples Party chief Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said in an interview with Sky News.
Responding to a question about Defence Minister Khawaja Asif’s remark that Pakistan did the West’s “dirty work” by supporting terrorist groups, Bhutto-Zardari acknowledged the country’s troubled history. He said Pakistan endured waves of extremism and had taken internal reforms to address it.
Citing the assassination of his mother, former PM Benazir Bhutto, he called the extremism era an “unfortunate part” of history. He stressed Pakistan now seeks peace, not war, with India.
Pahalgam terror attack LIVE: Pakistan-backed hackers target Indian websites
Pakistan-sponsored hacker groups such as “Cyber Group HOAX1337” and “National Cyber Crew” launched unsuccessful attempts to breach multiple Indian websites on May 1. Cybersecurity agencies swiftly detected and neutralised the intrusions, ensuring no critical data or networks were compromised.
Among the targets were websites of Army Public Schools in Nagrota, Sunjuwan, Srinagar, and Ranikhet, which were attempted to be defaced with inflammatory content mocking the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack. Other attacks included defacement of platforms serving ex-servicemen, like the Army Welfare Housing Organisation and the Indian Air Force Placement Organisation.
These attempts follow a pattern of Pakistan redirecting its cyber efforts towards welfare and educational websites after failing to penetrate secure government networks.
Intelligence sources say the hackers aimed to disrupt services and provoke outrage. Simultaneously, Pakistan resorted to unprovoked cross-border firing along the Line of Control, intensifying regional instability.
Pahalgam terror attack LIVE: Pak PM Shehbaz Sharif's YouTube channel suspended in India
Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif's YouTube channel suspended in India amid rising border tensions. This follows the blocking of several Pakistani actors' Instagram accounts by Indian authorities.
Pahalgam terror attack LIVE: Amid border tensions, India asks IMF to review its loans to Pakistan
India has asked the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to review its loans to Pakistan, a government source told Reuters on Friday, as tensions between the South Asian neighbours escalated following a deadly attack on tourists in Kashmir.
Pahalgam terror attack LIVE: US-Based Kashmiri Hindus demand accountability, call for security overhaul after terror attack
Kashmiri Hindus in the United States have called for greater accountability and international awareness following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed 26 lives, mostly tourists. The diaspora expressed alarm that such an attack occurred during the visit of US Vice President JD Vance to India, raising concerns about security failures and ongoing threats to minorities in Kashmir.
Dr. Vijay Sazawal of the Indo-American Kashmir Forum (IAKF) called the attack “a preventable tragedy,” citing the absence of visible security on a well-traveled route. He also highlighted internal militant support networks hindered by judicial and administrative delays.
Padma Shri awardee Dr. Subhash Kak emphasized that diplomatic gestures toward Pakistan are inadequate, while Amit Raina of Houston described the incident as a recurring trauma for Kashmiri Pandits.
On May 5, HinduACTion and the Global Kashmiri Pandit Diaspora (GKPD) will host a congressional briefing in Washington, D.C., spotlighting Pakistan’s alleged proxy war through jihadist groups.
Pahalgam terror attack LIVE: Jammu and Kashmir Leaders Condemn Pakistan for Supporting Terrorism
Jammu and Kashmir political leaders have sharply criticised Pakistan for its longstanding support of terrorism. GM Shaheen of JDU and Altaf Thakur of BJP condemned Pakistan’s role, with Shaheen urging the nation be placed back on the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list. Thakur called Pakistan "the source of terrorism," citing its involvement in the Pahalgam attack, where 26 people were killed. The criticism follows remarks by Bilawal Bhutto acknowledging Pakistan’s past support for extremism, with leaders reiterating that Pakistan remains a haven for terrorist groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba.
Pahalgam terror attack LIVE: Pakistan Keeps Wagah Border Open for Stranded Citizens After India Revokes Visas
Pakistan on Friday confirmed it would continue allowing its citizens to return home via the Wagah border, after India revoked visas of Pakistani nationals in the wake of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. Around 70 Pakistani citizens, including children, were reportedly stranded at the Attari border following India's April 30 deadline for exit. Pakistan’s Foreign Office criticised India’s move, calling it a humanitarian issue affecting medical patients and families. Despite previously closing the border in retaliation, Islamabad has now said the Wagah crossing will remain open to facilitate the return of its citizens.
Pahalgam terror attack LIVE: SC Halts Deportation of Kashmir-Based Family Amid Document Row
The Supreme Court on Friday directed authorities not to deport six members of a Kashmir-based family to Pakistan until a decision is made on the verification of their identity documents. The family, whose son works in Bengaluru, was facing deportation after the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people. Hearing a plea by Ahmed Tarek Butt and his family, the court acknowledged the human aspect of the case and allowed them to approach the Jammu and Kashmir High Court if aggrieved. The Centre had revoked visas of Pakistani nationals via an April 25 notification post the attack.
At the inauguration of Vizhinjam International Seaport on Friday, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan paid tribute to the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack, calling their deaths a grim reminder of the need for unity against divisive forces.
Pahalgam terror attack LIVE: Raut Criticizes PM Modi for spending time with film stars
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi for spending nine hours with film stars while the country remains enraged over the recent Pahalgam terror attack. Raut emphasized the anger in the nation, attributing the PM's ability to travel freely to the Indian Army's sacrifices. While expressing support for the government, Raut noted that the opposition cannot condone the mistakes of the past decade. The April 22 attack in Pahalgam claimed 26 lives, including 25 Indian nationals and one Nepalese.
Pahalgam terror attack LIVE: BJP MP alleges Pakistan behind infiltration plot after Pahalgam attack
BJP MP Jagannath Sarkar has accused Pakistan of deliberately sending infiltrators into India to carry out blasts and crimes. He claimed that Islamabad is refusing to take them back as its attempts to destabilise India are failing. His remarks come amid a mass return of Pakistani nationals through the Attari border after India cancelled all Pakistani visas post the Pahalgam terror attack. The April 22 attack in Jammu and Kashmir claimed 26 lives, making it the deadliest since Pulw
Pahalgam terror attack LIVE: Pak open Attari-Wagah border gate after 24 hours, says report
According to media reports, Pakistan has opened the Attari-Wagah border gate for the Pak nationals who left India.
Pahalgam terror attack LIVE: Pak leaders nervous about India’s response after Pahalgam attack, says defence expert
Defence expert Sanjeev Srivastava told ANI that the recent comments by Pakistani MP Palwasha Khan reflect growing fear within Pakistan’s political circles about India’s possible response to the Pahalgam terror attack. Srivastava explained that these statements are a result of the anxiety in Pakistan over potential retaliatory action from India. He stressed that such remarks hold no weight for a strong nation like India, which he described as a superpower. He also said that major powers adopt a zero-tolerance approach to terrorism, and India is expected to act similarly against Pakistan in light of the recent attack. According to Srivastava, this assertive stance is part of a changed approach under “New India,” which no longer tolerates acts of terror from across the border.
Pahalgam terror attack LIVE: UNSC may meet soon to discuss India-Pakistan Tensions, says council president
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) may hold a meeting soon to address the rising tensions between India and Pakistan, according to the Council’s current president. He said such a session could offer member states a platform to share their views and possibly ease the situation. Evangelos Sekeris, Greece’s Ambassador to the UN and President of the Security Council for May, said that if a request for a meeting is made, it should be taken up promptly. He noted that this could help in reducing hostilities between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. Sekeris added that the Council is already in communication with relevant parties and is preparing for the possibility of a meeting soon. He made these remarks during a press briefing on the Council’s agenda under Greece’s month-long leadership.
Pahalgam terror attack LIVE: Congress Working Committee to discuss Pahalgam attack today
The Congress Working Committee (CWC), the party's top decision-making body, will hold a meeting today evening to discuss two major national issues — the recent terror attack in Pahalgam and the Centre’s announcement on conducting a caste census, reported PTI. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said on Thursday that the entire committee would come together to review and deliberate on these pressing matters. According to PTI sources, the CWC may adopt resolutions calling for strong action against Pakistan in response to the Pahalgam attack.
Pahalgam terror attack LIVE: MP Nishikant Dubey alleges mass killings, blames Pakistan army
MP Member of Parliament Nishikant Dubey made serious allegations about the situation in Pakistan, claiming that around 10,000 people have either been killed or gone missing recently. He alleged that the Pakistan Army had directed terrorist Hafiz Saeed and wanted criminal Dawood Ibrahim to target Baluchi people and Indian-origin protesters. Dubey shared these claims in a post on social media platform X, stating that Pakistan is falling apart due to the internal crackdown. His statement comes at a time when tensions are rising between India and Pakistan following the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, which has drawn strong diplomatic reactions from both nations.
Pahalgam terror attack LIVE: US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce lends 'full support' for PM Modi
US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said that the US is closely observing the situation. She added that the Secretary had spoken a day earlier with India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. She also mentioned that, as President Donald Trump had expressed to Prime Minister Modi the previous week, the US firmly supports India in its fight against terrorism and fully backs Modi.
Pahalgam terror attack LIVE: 'It would have been good if Muslims in Pakistan had remained together peacefully,' says RSS leader
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) joint general secretary Krishna Gopal has said that Pakistan suffers from a deep-rooted intolerance, which has prevented unity among its various communities. While speaking at a book launch event, Gopal said, "Pakistan was founded, and it would have been good if the Muslims had remained together peacefully. However, after the formation of Pakistan, tensions arose between those who speak Bangla and Urdu... Pakistan is still facing that intolerance. Sindhis, Pashtuns, Balochs do not want to live together." His comments come amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan following the terror attack in Pahalgam.
Pahalgam terror attack LIVE: Air India seeks govt's help as Pakistan airspace ban may cost $600 million
Air India could lose around $600 million if Pakistan continues to block its airspace for a full year, and the airline has asked the Indian government for financial help to cover the losses, according to a letter reviewed by Reuters. The closure of Pakistani airspace, which came in response to the recent attack on tourists in Kashmir, is forcing Indian airlines to take longer routes. This means higher fuel expenses and longer travel times. Air India wrote to the Civil Aviation Ministry on April 27 requesting a support plan that would help cover the financial impact. The airline estimated that it could lose more than Rs 50 billion (about $591 million) if the airspace ban stays in place for a year.
Pahalgam terror attack LIVE: Spike in cyber attacks linked to Pahalgam terror incident
Maharashtra Cyber, the cybercrime investigation unit of the state police, has reported over 1 million cyber attacks targeting Indian systems following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam. According to officials, these digital assaults have been traced back to hacking groups operating from multiple countries, including Pakistan. A senior police officer stated on Thursday that the number of cyber intrusion attempts has surged significantly since the April 22 attack in Jammu and Kashmir, suggesting a coordinated effort to exploit the situation.
Pahalgam terror attack LIVE: 'Hoping India responds to this terrorist attack in a way that doesn't lead to broader regional conflict,' sas JD Vance
US Vice President JD Vance said on Thursday that the United States expects Pakistan to work with India in tracking down the terrorists based in its territory who were behind last month’s deadly attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Speaking during an interview on Fox News’ “Special Report with Bret Baier,” Vance added that the US hopes India will address the situation in a way that avoids escalating tensions across the region.
Pahalgam terror attack LIVE: 'We should not forget this, this is nothing ordinary,' says Javed Akhtar
Bollywood film lyricist Javed Akhtar recently spoke about the Pahalgam terror attack, mentioning that Sanjay Lele, Atul Mone, and Hemant Joshi—residents of Maharashtra—had gone there seeking peace and joy, but were brutally killed. He stressed that this tragedy should not be forgotten and warned that enemies of the nation still have their eyes set on Mumbai. Reflecting on his past visit to Lahore for a literary event, Akhtar shared that while the audience engaged him with thoughtful questions, a woman accused Indians of viewing all Pakistanis as terrorists. In response, he said that, as a Mumbaikar who had seen his city suffer, he knew the attackers didn’t come from distant countries like Sweden or Egypt—they came from Pakistan, and many of them are still free there.
He pointed out the warmth and hospitality India extended to Pakistani legends like Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Mehdi Hassan, and Faiz Ahmad Faiz. In contrast, he said, no Indian artists received such recognition in Pakistan. Even someone as iconic as Lata Mangeshkar, one of the most beloved Indian figures for decades, never had any official celebrations in her honor in Pakistan.
Pahalgam terror attack LIVE: Pak Army continues to carry out small arms fire along LoC
Pakistani Army carried out unprovoked small arms fire on the night of May 1 and May 2, targeting multiple areas along the Line of Control, including Kupwara, Baramulla, Poonch, Naushera, and Akhnoor in Jammu and Kashmir, the Indian Army said, reported ANI. They further added that the Indian Army responded with appropriate action to the aggression.