J&K Pahalgam Terror Attack Highlights: Defence institute denies Pakistani hacking claims; Home Ministry asks several states to conduct mock drills

Speaking about the Pahalgam terrorist attack, BJP MP Anurag Thakur said that the nation has strongly condemned the incident. He added that there is growing global pressure against Pakistan and the Indian government has made it clear that an appropriate response will come at the right time.

Poonch Police on Monday said that they busted a hideout in Hari Marote village in Surankot sector and recovered five IEDs, reported ANI.

Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind President Arshad Madani on Sunday reacted to the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, saying that if a country decides to block water, they can go ahead, but the rivers have been flowing for centuries and it’s not easy to control their course. He questioned where the water would even go if stopped. Madani also stressed that the country should be guided by love, not hate. As a Muslim living in India, he said he feels that the current narratives being pushed are not in the country’s best interest.

The UN Security Council will be holding a closed-door meeting today on the escalating tensions between India and Pakistan following the Aprill 22 terrorist attack in Kashmir’s Pahalgam. The meeting comes at Pakistan’s request for an urgent discussion on the matter. In response to the attack in Jammu and Kashmir, India has taken several steps against Pakistan, including suspending the Indus Waters Treaty and reducing diplomatic engagement.

Following the ban of Instagram accounts of several Pakistani celebrities like actors Mahira Khan, Hania Aamir, and Ali Zafar in India, singer Abida Parveen’s account has now also been blocked in India.

The Indian Army has said that on the night of May 4–5, Pakistani Army posts opened unprovoked fire with small arms across the Line of Control (LoC) in several areas opposite Kupwara, Baramulla, Poonch, Rajouri, Mendhar, Naushera, Sunderbani, and Akhnoor in Jammu and Kashmir. However, the Indian Army responded ” promptly and proportionately”.

See the latest visuals from Ramban where all gates the dam on Chenab River are closed.

See more

#watch | J&K: Latest visuals from Ramban where all gates of Baglihar Hydroelectric Power Project Dam on Chenab River are closed. pic.twitter.com/aqyAQOoMCY

— ANI (@ANI) May 4, 2025

Pakistan’s ambassador in Moscow has urged for Russia’s help in calming tensions with India following the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, which left 26 people dead. In an interview with the TASS news agency, Ambassador Mohammad Khalid Jamali noted that Russia maintains good relations with both India and Pakistan. He proposed that Russia could step in as a mediator, similar to its role in the 1966 Tashkent talks, when the Soviet leadership helped end a conflict between the two nations.

“Pakistan will never accept that terrorists from their soil are infiltrating into India and taking innocent lives. The time to reason with Pakistan has now ended. It is time to reply. I say this with full responsibility. Every 2 to 6 months, we lose Army, CRPF personnel, or innocent Kashmiris. This cycle cannot continue,” he told ANI.

BJP National Spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla on Sunday attacked Congress and its leader Ajay Rai, saying calling Pakistan ‘brother’ and insulting the armed forces has become its identity.

Poonawalla alleged that Ajay Rai made the remarks at Rahul Gandhi‘s behest, as Rai is considered one of Gandhi’s closest associates.

“With a ‘toy plane’ of Rafale, Congress party is toying with the morale of India’s armed forces. This is being done at the behest of Rahul Gandhi. Ajay Rai is considered one of Rahul Gandhi’s closest leaders. In the all-party meeting, Rahul Gandhi says that they stand with the country and armed forces. As soon as he comes out of the all-party meeting, prioritising ‘vote bank neeti’ over ‘rashtra neeti’ (national interests), they gave clean chit to Pakistan, advocated for it and dealt a blow to the morale of armed forces. Why is a continuous attack being made on the morale of armed forces? Congress party is not taking action because calling Pakistan ‘brother’ and insulting the armed forces has become its identity. Pakistan and Congress are two bodies but speak the same language,” he told ANI.

The News Broadcasters & Digital Association has banned member channels from inviting Pakistani panelists for shows. A purported copy of the advisory has surfaced on social media and flags commentators from the other country who “propagate false propaganda against India”.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh assured a befitting response to the Pahalgam attack on Sunday. The Defence Minister’s statement came during the Sanskrati Jagran Mahotsav in New Delhi

“You all know Prime Minister Narendra Modi‘s work ethic and perseverance… You are aware of his efficiency and determination… You are aware of the way he has learnt to take risks in his life… I want to assure you that under the leadership of PM Modi ‘jaisa aap chahte hain waisa hokar rahega (Whatever you want will happen),’ Rajnath Singh said.

Singh also said that as a Defence Minister it is his responsibility to ensure security and give a “befitting reply” to those “who dare to attack our country”.,

“As a defence minister, it is my responsibility to ensure the security of the country’s borders along with my soldiers. It is my responsibility to give a befitting reply to those who dare to attack our country,” Rajnath Singh said.

BJP national spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari slammed Pakistan on Saturday, saying the neighbouring country has lost faith in its military and fears retaliation from India following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam. Bhandari said India has not yet launched its full response, and when it does, the masterminds of terror will be “blown to pieces”.

“Pakistan is convinced that it neither trusts its Army nor its defence preparedness. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi‘s leadership, India is poised to deliver a strong response to those orchestrating terror and turn the handlers of terror to dust.” He claimed, “Even Pakistani ministers have reportedly booked tickets for themselves and their families to flee to countries like England,” he told ANI.

Bhandari further said there is a growing belief in Pakistan and around the world that India’s military strength cannot be challenged.

“There is a consensus in Pakistan that it cannot fight India’s defence capabilities. The people of Pakistan themselves and the entire world think that under the leadership of PM Modi, India is going to give a befitting reply to Pakistan,” he stated.

Pakistani lawmaker Sher Afzal Khan Marwat outlined an unusual plan in case his country faced an attack from India in the coming days. The MP from Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf was responding to a question by a journalist wondering if he would pick up a gun and head to the frontlines in case of a clash.

“If war breaks out, I will go to England,” came the response.

Pakistan has banned Indian-flagged ships from entering its ports with immediate effect after New Delhi imposed fresh punitive measures, including a ban on the import of goods and entry of Pakistani vessels into its ports, against Islamabad amid heightened tensions following the Pahalgam terror attack

IGP Kashmir VK Birdi held a joint security review meeting on Sunday at PCR Kashmir, which was attended by officers from multiple security forces, including the Police, Army, Intelligence Agencies, and CAPFs.

The officers briefed IGP Kashmir about the overall security scenario, with the primary focus on garnering insights into the existing security challenges in the Valley.

The discussions focused on intelligence gathering, threat assessments, emergency response preparedness, and inter-agency coordination. IGP Kashmir underlined the need to bolster synergy among all security and intelligence agencies for seamless information sharing and joint operational readiness, according to the Jammu and Kashmir Police press release.

BJP workers staged protests and raised slogans against the Pahalgam terror attack at Charminar on Sunday and urged authorities to send Pakistani nationals back to their country.

The BJP workers held placards that read slogans like ‘Modi ji sangarsh karo, desh apke sath hai,’ and ‘Pahalgam ka badla lekar rahenge,’ and ‘Go back, Pakistanis, go back.’

BJP leader T Uma Mahendra, who also participated in the protest, spoke to ANI and said, “Terror attacks happen in various corners of the country, but they (attackers) are arrested from Hyderabad. Which means the city is a safe zone for them. I demand that the Telangana government and Asaduddin Owaisi identify Pakistanis door to door and send them back…”

Chattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai showered praise on Kashmiri guide Nazakat for the saving lives of several tourists from the state during the Pahalgam attack.

Indian authorities have blocked the accounts of Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and former Prime Minister Imran Khan, founder of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf amid growing unrest.

Former Pakistan Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto had acknowledged his country’s tango with terror operatives, saying that Pakistan has a past. Bhutto acknowledged Pakistan’s history with extremism, claiming the nation has suffered as a result and has since reformed.

he CPI(M) on Sunday said the terror attack in Pahalgam was the result of a major security lapse that must be investigated and accountability for it fixed, even as the Left party stressed on prioritising identifying and punishing the perpetrators.

It also expressed concern over the attack being used to create polarisation.

In a statement issued a day after a Polit Bureau meeting, the CPI(M) said the government should prepare a dossier on the Pahalgam attack to be placed before the international community.

The CPI(M) Polit Bureau observed a minute’s silence for the 26 victims of the April 22 attack and expressed sorrow at their deaths.

The Left party said efforts must be made to track down the killers and punish them. “The terrorist attack was the result of a major security lapse. This must be enquired into and responsibility fixed so that remedial measures are taken.” The Polit Bureau also condemned the hate campaign against Muslims and Kashmiris on social media and incidents of attacks on individual citizens.

Noting the government’s diplomatic steps against Pakistan to curb the activities of terror outfits stationed in the neighbouring country, the CPI(M) said the priority should be to identify the perpetrators and their handlers and prepare a dossier to be placed before the international community.

“The matter should be taken up with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) for suitable intervention. The government should seriously weigh whether a military response will serve the purpose of curbing cross-border terrorism and act as a deterrent,” the CPI(M) said.

Instagram accounts of more Pakistani stars, including Fawad Khan, Atif Aslam, and Mawra Hocane of “Sanam Teri Kasam” fame as well as veteran singer Abida Parveen, have been blocked in India following the Pahalgam attack.

“Account not available in India. This is because we complied with a legal request to restrict this content”: this message was displayed when users in India tried to access the pages of these artistes.

The Amritsar Police arrested two people on Saturday for leaking sensitive information. Preliminary investigation also revealed their links to Pakistani intelligence operatives. The Punjab Police DGP said Palak Sher Masih & Suraj Masih had been arrested “for their alleged role in leaking sensitive information and photographs of Army Cantonment areas and Air Bases in Amritsar”.

“During the all-party meeting, the opposition asked the government to take action (against the Pahalgam attack) and give justice to the victims’ families and eliminate terrorism. Whatever action the government takes, we are with them, but what they will do and when, they need to say that,” said All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen president and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi on Sunday.

Following the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22 that claimed 26 lives, India has significantly escalated its diplomatic and strategic response to Pakistan. On May 3, New Delhi unveiled a second wave of punitive measures, intensifying pressure on Islamabad with a range of coordinated economic, diplomatic, and infrastructural actions.

Read More: India unleashes diplomatic offensive on Pakistan – Trade frozen, ports and airspace shut, water flow curbed, visas cancelled

Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal, Amar Preet Singh leaves from 7 LKM, Prime Minister Narendra Modi‘s residence.

India has curtailed the flow of water through the Baglihar Dam on the Chenab River and is considering similar steps at the Kishanganga Dam on the Jhelum River, according to a source familiar with the matter.

Located in Jammu and north Kashmir respectively, these hydroelectric projects allow India to control the timing of water releases. The move signals a suspension of the decades-old Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan.

It comes in response to the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 people, mostly tourists, with New Delhi stepping up diplomatic and strategic pressure on Islamabad following the incident.

Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal A P Singh on Sunday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi against the backdrop of increasing tensions between India and Pakistan over the Pahalgam terror attack.

The Air chief held a meeting with PM Modi, sources said without giving further details.

Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi met the prime minister on Saturday and briefed him on the overall situation in the critical sea lanes in the Arabian Sea.

In a counter-espionage operation, the Amritsar Rural Police arrested Palak Sher Masih and Suraj Masih for allegedly sharing sensitive information and photographs of Army cantonment areas and air bases in Amritsar.

Preliminary investigations revealed links to Pakistani intelligence operatives, facilitated through Harpreet Singh alias Pittu, currently in Amritsar Central Jail.

A case under the Official Secrets Act has been registered, and officials expect further revelations as the probe continues. Punjab DGP stated on social media that the police stand firm with the Indian Army and will respond decisively to any threats against national security.

Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s account on ‘X’ withheld in India.

Pakistan on Saturday banned Indian-flagged ships from entering its ports with immediate effect, responding to India’s sweeping punitive measures following the Pahalgam terror attack.

Earlier that day, India had barred the import of goods from or transiting through Pakistan and prohibited Pakistani vessels from docking at Indian ports. Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowed firm action against terrorism and its supporters.

In retaliation, Islamabad announced that no Indian vessels would be allowed at its ports and prohibited Pakistani ships from accessing Indian ports, escalating already strained bilateral ties.