Pahalgam Terror Attack Highlights: Pakistan hackers attempt to breach Indian websites; Bilawal Bhutto admits Pak’s links to terror groups

National Investigation Agency (NIA) Director General Sadanand Date visited Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday, marking the start of the agency’s investigation into the recent terror attack. The NIA officially took over the case from the Jammu and Kashmir Police on Sunday and has since begun its probe into the tragic incident that claimed the lives of 26 tourists, according to sources.

UK MP Priti Patel expressed her solidarity with the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack, saying her thoughts remain with those impacted. She stressed on the importance of standing by India during this difficult time and mentioned raising the issue in the House of Commons. Patel urged the UK government to outline how it is supporting India and cooperating to confront shared threats posed by terrorism.

The Ministry of Home Affairs on Thursday issued a revised directive, modifying its earlier decision to close the border on April 30. Under the new order, Pakistani nationals are now allowed to leave India through the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Attari. The change takes effect immediately, subject to necessary clearances. Meanwhile, the movement of all other passengers and cargo will stay suspended until further notice, the ministry said in its statement.

Pakistan’s Olympic gold medallist in javelin, Arshad Nadeem’s Instagram account is blocked in India following a legal directive after the recent terror attack in Pahalgam. Indian users trying to visit his profile are now shown a message stating that the account is unavailable in the country due to a legal compliance. The move comes in the wake of the April 22 attack near Pahalgam, where 26 people, mostly tourists, lost their lives in a deadly shooting. Since then, the Indian government has taken action against several Pakistani social media profiles that have significant viewership or influence within India.

According to India Today, sources have revealed that terrorists carried out a reconnaissance of three spots in Pahalgam on April 15, just a week before the deadly April 22 attack that killed 26 people. One of the locations surveyed was an amusement park. However, the plan to target that site was reportedly abandoned due to a strong security presence in the area.

Samajwadi Party MP Afzal Ansari has strongly criticised the alleged targeting of Muslims and Kashmiri students in various parts of the country after the Pahalgam terror attack. He alleged that those spreading hate, with what he described as support from the government, are no different in mindset from the terrorists themselves. , Ansari blamed Modi-led central government for the security failure that led to the deadly attack. He questioned how terrorists were able to carry out an attack so far inside Indian territory—around 150 kilometres from the Pakistan border—and called for a firm response. According to him, if no internal involvement is suspected, then India should take decisive action, including reclaiming Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

Ansari also condemned recent attacks on Muslims and Kashmiri students, pointing to an incident in Patiala, Punjab, where students were allegedly assaulted by right-wing groups, as well as reported vandalism of Muslim-owned shops in Haryana. He said such acts have occurred in other parts of the country too.

Local BJP MLA Ravindra Chavan has called on the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) to build a memorial in honor of three Dombivli residents who lost their lives in the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam. Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Chavan suggested that the memorial be set up at Bhagshala ground—the site where the victims’ last rites were held. The three individuals, Atul Mone, Sanjay Lele, and Hemant Joshi, were among the 26 people, most of them tourists, who were killed in the April 22 attack in South Kashmir.

Pakistani national Seema Haider’s lawyer, AP Singh, has rejected claims suggesting her involvement in the recent Pahalgam terror attack. In a video statement released on Thursday, Singh clarified Seema’s background, stating that she got divorced while still in Pakistan and later formed a relationship with Sachin following her father’s death. The two reportedly married in Nepal according to Sanatana Dharma traditions. After moving to India, Seema formally converted to Sanatana Dharma and the couple held a traditional wedding ceremony. Singh also mentioned that their daughter is named Meera and that all of Seema’s legal documents are currently with the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS). He stressed that Seema has only been to her in-laws’ home and a hospital since arriving in India, and firmly denied any connection between her and the Pahalgam incident.

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar expressed sorrow over the Pahalgam terror attack, calling it a heartbreaking incident, reported ANI. He noted that both central and state governments are working continuously to prevent such tragedies in the future. Maharashtra lost six people in the attack, and in response, the state cabinet recently approved measures including financial assistance and job support for the victims’ families. While acknowledging that no aid can bring back those who were lost, he emphasized the state’s commitment to helping those affected. He added that steps are being taken at both the national level and within Jammu & Kashmir to address the situation. According to Pawar, there is a strong public sentiment across the country demanding action, and the government is weighing all options thoughtfully and responsibly, with efforts being led from the Prime Minister’s office in Delhi.

Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary held a public outreach camp on Wednesday in Bhawani, a panchayat situated near the LoC in the Nowshera sub-division. The initiative was aimed at directly engaging with residents of border areas such as Bhawani, Kalsian, and Jhangar to understand and address their concerns. During the camp, Choudhary listened to the issues raised by locals and assured them that their problems would be resolved promptly. He also reiterated the government’s dedication to maintaining peace, enhancing security, and promoting development in the border regions. Addressing speculation about unrest, he reassured the public that the situation was stable and under control, urging people to stay calm yet vigilant.

Suraj Kumar, a Pakistani Hindu going back into Pakistan through the Attari Border, shared his feelings about the current situation. He said that ordinary people are the ones suffering due to the tensions, and that meaningful dialogue is the only way to find solutions. Referring to the Pahalgam attack, he called the incident unfortunate.

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#watch | Attari, Punjab: Suraj Kumar, a Pakistani Hindu, returning to Pakistan via Attari Border, says, " ...once the border opens, we will go home, to our children...what happened is wrong (Pahalgam attack)...if discussions happen, then only solutions can be found...we common… pic.twitter.com/zAvqvGthmf

— ANI (@ANI) May 1, 2025

Defence expert Sanjeev Srivastava told ANI that India’s agreement with France to acquire 26 Rafale-Marine fighter jets comes at a critical time, with tensions running high between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam attack. He pointed out that the deal is likely to increase strategic pressure on Pakistan, and suggested that the Rafale aircraft will play a significant role in any future military action India may undertake.

Amid heightened tensions with India, Pakistan has named Lieutenant General Muhammad Asim Malik as its new National Security Adviser (NSA). Malik, who took over as the Director General of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) in October 2024, has now been officially assigned the NSA role, as confirmed by a notification issued by the Cabinet Division on Tuesday.

India and Egypt convened the fourth meeting of their Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism in Cairo on Wednesday, where both countries agreed to enhance cooperation in tackling terrorism in all its forms. According to a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Egypt expressed its complete support for India in addressing acts of violence. Both nations also strongly denounced the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, which targeted tourists and was described as a brutal and inhumane act.

Commenting on India’s decision to block its airspace for Pakistani airlines, retired Air Marshal Sanjeev Kapoor noted that while Pakistan had already restricted Indian carriers from its airspace, India implemented its ban just a day ago. As a result, flights from Islamabad to destinations like Kuala Lumpur, which normally take around 5 hours and 30 minutes, will now require about 8 hours and 30 minutes. He added that routes to other locations such as Dhaka, Singapore, and Australia—many of which pass through Indian airspace—will also be significantly affected.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday said that those responsible for the Pahalgam terror attack, including its planners and supporters, must be held accountable. His comments came shortly after a phone call with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, which took place amidst rising tensions between India and Pakistan following the April 22 attack that claimed 26 civilian lives. Jaishankar highlighted the need for justice in his conversation with Rubio, stressing the importance of bringing the perpetrators and their backers to justice. India has also pointed to “cross-border linkages” in relation to the attack and vowed to deliver harsh punishment to those involved in the incident.

A 69-year-old Pakistani national, Abdul Waheed, passed away from a cardiac arrest on Wednesday, just before his planned repatriation to Pakistan, according to officials. Abdul Waheed had been residing in India for 17 years. He was brought from Srinagar by Jammu and Kashmir Police for his return to Pakistan, but was found to be staying with an expired visa. In a separate development, a total of 224 individuals holding No Obligation to Return to India (NORI) visas—comprising both Indian nationals and Pakistani citizens—crossed into India via the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at the Attari border. Additionally, 139 Pakistani nationals made their way to the other side.

When asked whether Pakistan should be invited to the upcoming Hockey 2025 Asia Cup, former Indian hockey player Ashok Kumar—son of hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand— told ANI that given the current tense situation between the two countries, such an idea seems unrealistic. He noted that India is taking a firm stance while Pakistan appears unsettled, and that the people of India overwhelmingly support the Prime Minister’s decisions at this critical time.

Ashok Kumar said that Pakistan has never acted like a good neighbour, and before any sporting engagements can be considered, a lasting solution must be found to ensure peaceful coexistence for future generations. He pointed out that Indian leaders—from Nehru to Atal Bihari Vajpayee—have always made sincere efforts to build friendly relations, but cooperation must come from both sides.

Speaking not just as a sportsperson but as a concerned individual, he said that while sports often promote unity, the mindset and actions of Pakistan, which was once part of India, continue to pose challenges to peace and humanity. He concluded by saying that perhaps now is the right moment to address and resolve these long-standing issues once and for all.

India has officially closed its airspace to all aircraft registered in Pakistan or operated by Pakistani airlines, the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) announced. This move marks another significant response to the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed 26 lives. A Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) was issued on Wednesday, confirming that the airspace ban applies to all Pakistani-operated, registered, or leased aircraft—including military planes—from April 30 to May 23, subject to further updates.

With this step, both India and Pakistan have now barred each other’s airlines from flying through their respective airspace. Pakistan had already implemented a similar restriction six days earlier.

The United States has called on India and Pakistan to ‘de-escalate’ tensions, while reaffirming its support for working closely with New Delhi in the fight against terrorism. It also urged Pakistan to assist in the investigation of the brutal terror attack in Pahalgam. On Wednesday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio held separate phone conversations with India’s External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. During his discussion with Jaishankar, Rubio conveyed his condolences for the loss of 26 civilian lives—most of them tourists—in the recent Pahalgam attack.

Pakistani Army posts on the night between April 30 and May 1, 2025, opened unprovoked small-arms fire across the Line of Control in areas opposite Kupwara, Uri, and Akhnoor in Jammu and Kashmir. The Indian Army responded to the firing in a measured and appropriate manner.

Read More: India shuts airspace for all flights, aircrafts from Pakistan

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) on Wednesday cancelled all scheduled flights to and from Gilgit, Skardu, and other areas in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir due to rising security concerns following the Pahalgam terror attack in India.

Multiple routes affected
According to Urdu daily Jang, two flights each from Karachi and Lahore to Skardu, along with two from Islamabad to Skardu and four to Gilgit, were cancelled.

Express Tribune reported that Pakistan has stepped up airspace monitoring amid growing tensions with India.

India shuts airspace for Pakistan. Flights from Pakistan cannot fly over India.

Sultan Mahmood Chaudhry, the president of PoK, has called for urgent international mediation as tensions with India escalate following the April 22 terror attack in Indian-administered Kashmir that killed 26 people.

India has blamed Pakistan for the attack—an allegation Islamabad denies. Speaking to Reuters, Chaudhry warned of heightened military activity near the Line of Control (LoC), including drone incidents and frequent cross-border firing.

He said the region is preparing a humanitarian response in case of escalation and urged countries like the US, UK, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Qatar to step in diplomatically.

Republican lawmaker Rich McCormick, Co-chair of the India Caucus in the US House of Representatives, has urged US President Donald Trump to promote peace amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan. Highlighting Trump’s strong ties with both nations, McCormick said the President should encourage condemnation of terrorism, not escalation.

He added that this moment offers Pakistan an opportunity to define itself by rejecting terrorism and asserting stability. “This isn’t about blame—it’s about standing against terrorism,” McCormick noted, stressing that Pakistan’s response will reveal whether it prioritises fighting extremism or fears internal destabilisation from terrorist elements within its own borders.

Popular Pakistani artists, including actors Mahira Khan, Hania Aamir, Sanam Saeed and singer Ali Zafar, had their Instagram accounts blocked in India on Wednesday evening.

The tourism industry in Himachal Pradesh is experiencing a severe downturn following the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Despite the state’s peaceful environment, hoteliers and tour operators report mass cancellations and a 50% drop in tourist footfall.

Kedar Dutt, a Shimla-based tour operator, attributed the slump to growing safety concerns among travellers. Industry stakeholders are urging the public to recognise Himachal’s safety and hospitality, and not let fear deter travel. They also called for decisive action by the government to restore confidence among tourists and counter the psychological impact of terrorism on domestic tourism.

Two Pakistani nationals, Sher Ali Keshwani and Mohd Nazeer, who completed their prison sentences, remain under detention in Telangana jails due to Pakistan’s refusal to accept them as citizens. Keshwani, 72, was acquitted in an espionage case and has been in detention since 2015. Nazeer, in his mid-50s, was sentenced in 2013 for fraudulent medical practice and completed his sentence in 2018.

Despite efforts by Telangana prison authorities to arrange consular access through the Pakistan Embassy, Pakistan has not acknowledged them as its nationals. As per state orders, the detainees remain in jail pending deportation, as Telangana lacks dedicated detention centres.