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

Reacting to the Pahalgam terror attack, Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi condemned the incident, stating, “I don’t want to comment on how it happened. All I want to say is that those who did this, whoever and wherever they are, will have to pay for it properly, so that they remember that this cannot be done to India.”

“We have given a clear line, a unanimous line that what has happened is not acceptable; and the entire Opposition will give its 100% support to the Government and it is giving all it is support. Narendra Modi has to take action. Entire Opposition stands with him. Those who did this have to pay the price for this,” he adds.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Wednesday demanded a special session of Parliament to discuss the recent Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives. Raut blamed Union Home Minister Amit Shah for an “intelligence failure” and called for action against him before any response to the attack is initiated. Speaking to reporters, Raut accused the government of silencing debate on Kashmir.

“Our demand is to convene a special session and allocate two days to discuss the attack. But the government won’t let anyone speak on Kashmir,” he said, adding that accountability is essential before seeking revenge.

Despite the Jammu and Kashmir High Court admitting their petition and granting interim relief, a local police constable, Ifthkar Ali (45), and his eight siblings, including five sisters aged between 42 and 56, were moved to Punjab for deportation to Pakistan on Wednesday.

The family, residents of Salwah village in Jammu’s Poonch district, are among over two dozen people—mostly from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir—who were recently served deportation notices. Many of them have lived in the Jammu region for decades. The court had admitted their plea asserting they are not Pakistani nationals and have been living in India for generations. However, despite this legal development, authorities proceeded with transporting them in buses to Punjab, where they are expected to be handed over to Pakistani officials.

Cyprus High Commissioner to India, Evagoras Vryonides, stated that Cyprus Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos has taken the initiative to raise the recent terror attack in India at the upcoming informal EU foreign ministers’ council in Warsaw.

He noted that this move complements the European Commission’s earlier response. Highlighting Cyprus’s solidarity with India, Vryonides said the telephone conversation between EAM S. Jaishankar and Minister Kombos aimed to reaffirm support and discuss a joint path forward.

Expressing deep shock over the incident, he reiterated Cyprus’s condemnation of the attack and affirmed alignment with global voices denouncing the act of terror.

According to Defence sources, Director Generals of Military Operations of India and Pakistan talked over hotline yesterday to discuss the unprovoked ceasefire violations by Pakistan. India warned Pakistan against the unprovoked violations by Pakistan Army along the Line of Control (LoC).

Lok Sabha LoP & Congress MP Rahul Gandhi meets the family of Shubham Dwivedi – a resident of Kanpur who was killed in a horrific terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22.

Rahul Gandhi says, “A special session should be called for those who have lost their lives (in #pahalgamterroristattack )…”

Union Cabinet briefing begins

An invitation was extended to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the Victory Day Parade (May 9) in Moscow, Russia. The Russian side was informed earlier that India would be represented by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, reports ANI.

J&K Minister, Javed Ahmed Rana says “…In Jammu and Kashmir, we have been struggling with proxy wars for the last 70 years, but the solution to it is not that the people staying here should be asked to leave. I will appeal to the PM and HM not to displace people from here…War is not the solution to anything. A once-and-for-all settlement should be done. Wars weaken the countries. War should be avoided if we want our country to become a ‘Vishwa Guru’…”

According to Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesperson, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will not attend the Victory Day parade in Moscow on May 9, according to TASS, the Russian news agency.

Amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam attack, the Pakistani military appears to be bracing for possible Indian retaliation, according to ANI reports.

Military sources revealed that Pakistani Navy vessels, including frigates and submarines, have been strategically positioned at their harbours to counter any potential Indian movement. Additionally, the Pakistan Air Force has scaled back flying operations by over 50%, limiting them to essential missions to prevent airspace confusion.

Meanwhile, under increasing international pressure, Pakistan’s leadership has responded by levelling accusations against India, further deepening the diplomatic rift.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah condemned the act of raising pro-Pakistan slogans, calling it “treason.”

Addressing the recent mob lynching incident in Kodagu, he confirmed that an investigation is ongoing and that 15 individuals have been arrested so far.

“Raising pro-Pakistan slogans is unacceptable and amounts to treason. The case is under investigation, and 15 arrests have been made,” the Chief Minister stated.

PM Modi chaired Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) meet on Wednesday, is believed to have discussed the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir, amid rising speculation about how India may retaliate against pakistan over the deadly Pahalgam terror attack. According to reports, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar were present at the CCS meeting. In a separate meeting held on Tuesday with senior military leadership, PM Modi reportedly stated that the armed forces have full operational freedom to choose the timing, targets, and method of India’s response to the attack. The meeting was also attended by National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and the chiefs of the Army, Navy, and Air Force. Sources added that Modi reaffirmed the nation’s determination to deliver a strong and decisive blow to terrorism.

The Union government has restructured the National Security Advisory Board (NSAB), appointing former RAW chief Alok Joshi as its new head. Alongside him, six new members have been added to the board, reported ANI. The newly inducted members include retired military officers: Air Marshal P.M. Sinha, former Western Air Commander; Lieutenant General A.K. Singh, former Southern Army Commander; and Rear Admiral Monty Khanna. Two former IPS officers, Rajiv Ranjan Verma and Manmohan Singh, and retired Indian Foreign Service officer B. Venkatesh Varma also join the seven-member board. This revamp follows the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, which killed 26 civilians, including one Nepalese national, and left several others injured.

Union Ministers seen leaving Prime Minister Narendra Modi‘s residence after concluding the CCS meeting. Next, there is a Cabinet briefing which will be held at 3:00 PM.

Lucknow University has announced that they will provide free education to the kin of people killed in the deadly Pahalgam terror attack. Lucknow University Vice Chancellor Alok Rai announced that the university will offer admission to the family members of those killed in the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. He added that the university will cover all expenses related to their education, including accommodation, books, and other needs.

Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev strongly condemned the Pahalgam terror attack on Wednesday, stating that Pakistan had committed a serious sin. He expressed confidence that the Indian government would respond decisively, and that the truth would ultimately prevail.

Steel tycoon Lakshmi Mittal is one of the sponsors of Harvard University’s South Asia Institute which is currently facing backlash for holding ‘Pakistan Conference’.

PM Modi today chaired a key meeting with the ministers including with Amit Shah ANd Rajnath Singh to further discuss the course of action on Pahalgam terror attack. The meeting has now ended and reports suggest that the PM will be chairing 3 more meetings throughout the day.

NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar on Wednesday supported Congress‘ call for a special session of Parliament to discuss the Pahalgam terror attack, stating that it would demonstrate the nation’s unity. Speaking at a press conference following a temple consecration ceremony, Pawar condemned the brutal massacre of tourists in the Kashmir Valley, describing it as an attack on the country.

A recent “Pakistan Conference” organized by Harvard University’s South Asia Institute has faced strong criticism from students who argue that the event could potentially validate state-sponsored terrorism narratives on campus. The controversy intensified after the deadly Pahalgam attack in Jammu and Kashmir, which students referred to as a “targeted, religion-based massacre.” In an interview with ANI, Harvard student Surabi Tomar expressed concern about the conference, stating that when the university invites officials who have ideologically supported such attacks, it risks endorsing those state-backed terror narratives. She emphasized that this was why students felt the need to take action or encourage others to do so.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to chair four key meeting today which are:

— CCS meet which will be attended by PM Modi, HM Amit Shah, EAM Jaishankar, FM Sitharaman, RM Rajnath Singh & NSA Ajit Doval.

— CCPA meet to be attended by PM Modi, RM Rajnath Singh, HM Shah & JP Nadda.

— Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs – CCEA meet

— Full Cabinet Meeting

Regarding the Indus Water Treaty and Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah‘s statement, Union Minister of State for Jal Shakti, V Somanna, responded by saying that all parties should be supporting PM Modi as he is the leader of the country. He further added that whatever steps PM takes to protect the nation, everyone should back him up. “If he (Siddaramaiah) had any common sense, he wouldn’t have spoken like that. I don’t think he has common sense,” Somanna said.

PM Modi is currently chairing a key meeting with Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs (CCPA) today. This is known as one of the most important and influential cabinet panels, and is also known as the “super cabinet”.

Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh reached Prime Minister Narendra Modi‘s residence to attend a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security. This marks the second CCS meeting held in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack.

The Punjab government will install an anti-drone system along its border with Pakistan to prevent the smuggling of weapons and drugs via drones. The new technology will allow police and security forces to swiftly detect and destroy any drones intruding from Pakistan, ensuring the failure of such criminal activities, said the Punjab Chief Minister’s Office.

Former Prime Minister Imran Khan took to X on Tuesday and said he is deeply saddened by the loss of lives in the Pahalgam incident. He offered his condolences to the victims and their families. He said that just like the Pulwama attack in 2019, where India failed to present any solid proof despite Pakistan offering full cooperation, the same pattern is repeating. Instead of investigating the matter properly, the Modi government is once again blaming Pakistan without evidence.

Imran Khan stressed that India, being a country of 1.5 billion people, should act responsibly, especially in a region known as a “nuclear flashpoint.” He said Pakistan wants peace, but that shouldn’t be seen as weakness. He reminded that in 2019, his government gave a strong response to Indian actions and the whole nation stood behind it. He also said the RSS-led government in India is a danger to both the region and the wider world.

Imran Khan further said that Modi’s aggression has brought the people of Pakistan together in unity. He urged the state to stop targeting political opponents and focus on national unity to face external threats. He claimed leaders like Nawaz Sharif and Asif Zardari won’t criticise India because they fear for their wealth and businesses abroad, which may be at risk if they speak out.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Wednesday held the government accountable for what he called an intelligence failure that resulted in the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam. He said the security of Jammu and Kashmir was already under the control of the Army, yet the attack occurred. Raut criticised the Home Department, pointing to repeated lapses, and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ask for Home Minister Amit Shah’s resignation in light of the incident.

A young man from Jalna city in Maharashtra, who had recently visited Kashmir, claimed that he interacted with one of the suspected attackers involved in the Pahalgam terror incident just a day before the massacre, reported PTI. Adarsh Raut said that while at a food stall in Baisaran Valley on April 21, a man approached him and asked, “Hindu ho kya. You don’t look like you are from Kashmir.”

The next day, on April 22, terrorists opened fire at a meadow near the tourist hotspot of Pahalgam in Anantnag district, killing 26 people.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to lead a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs (CCPA) today. Known as one of the most influential cabinet panels, the CCPA is often regarded as the “super cabinet” due to its key role in policy decisions.

This meeting follows a high-level discussion held at the Prime Minister’s residence in New Delhi on Tuesday, just a week after a deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, claimed the lives of 26 people, most of them tourists.