Prime Minister Narendra Modi has decided to cut short his visit to Saudi Arabia and will return to India tonight after a deadly terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam. The attack in Baisaran Valley left 26 people dead and dozens more injured. Originally scheduled to return tomorrow night, PM Modi will now arrive in India early Wednesday morning, IANS reported citing government sources.
The attack occurred on Tuesday afternoon when terrorists opened fire at a popular meadow near Pahalgam. The incident is being described as the deadliest in the region since the 2019 Pulwama attack. Witnesses reported that terrorists emerged from the woods and opened fire indiscriminately at tourists. Disturbing images from the site showed bodies scattered across the grass and survivors, including women, crying for help.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah immediately rushed to Srinagar, where he convened a high-level security review meeting with various agencies. Shah had earlier spoken with PM Modi, who instructed him to visit the site personally. Shah also chaired a meeting in Delhi with Intelligence Bureau Chief Tapan Deka, Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, CRPF Chief Gyanendra Pratap Singh, and Jammu and Kashmir DGP Nalin Prabhat. Army officials joined via video conference.
PM Modi condemned the attack, vowing that India’s resolve to fight terrorism would only grow stronger. "Their evil agenda will never succeed," he said.
U.S. President Donald Trump also responded, calling the attack “deeply disturbing” and expressing full support for India. “The United States stands strong with India against terrorism,” he wrote on Truth Social. “We pray for the souls of those lost, and for the recovery of the injured. Prime Minister Modi and the incredible people of India have our full support and deepest sympathies.”
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