Pahalgam terror attack: Govt has oppn's support, action has to be clear and strong, says Rahul Gandhi

A high-level meeting was held at the Prime Minister's residence, with  External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval in attendance.

(Input: Devender Parasar)

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said on Wednesday that those responsible for the Pahalgam terror attack must pay the price for what they have done and Prime Minister Narendra Modi must act strongly and not dilly dally on the action.

Addressing the media at the AICC headquarters here, the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha said those behind Pahalgam attack must pay the price and be made to realise they cannot do this to India. He said the government has opposition's 100 per cent support and Modi has to take action. "The prime minister has to take action. Action has to be clear and strong. The prime minister must not dilly dally and needs to act. He can act in whatever time frame he thinks necessary," Gandhi said.

According to sources, the terrorists had arrived a week ago and conducted reconnaissance of multiple tourist locations before selecting Baisaran Valley as the site for the attack.

(Input: Manzoor Mir)

Security forces deployed on the route leading to Baisaran valley. Routine maintenance of CCTV cameras underway in the Pahalgam market in the wake of Pahalgam Terrorist Attack.

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, say Defence sources.

Home Minister Amit Shah will hold a meeting with Union Minister CR Patil today on the issue of the Indus Water Treaty at 8 pm.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has concluded all scheduled meetings and has departed for the Prime Minister's Office (PMO).

The Union government has reconstituted the National Security Advisory Board (NSAB), appointing Alok Joshi, former chief of the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), as its new head.

The revamped board now comprises seven members, including three retired senior 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. Also inducted are two retired Indian Police Service officers, Rajiv Ranjan Verma and Manmohan Singh, along with retired Indian Foreign Service officer B. Venkatesh Varma.

Following the Pahalgam terrorist attack, tensions between India and Pakistan have escalated to near-war-like conditions. In response, Pakistani flags have been removed and posts vacated along the international border in the Pargwal sector.

Several Pakistani posts along the international border have been left deserted, and Pakistani Rangers have taken down their national flags from these positions.

Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, meetings of the CCS (Cabinet Committee on Security), CCPA (Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs), CCEA (Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs), and the Union Cabinet were held on Wednesday. A press conference will be held at 3 PM to announce the decisions taken during these meetings.

A recent "Pakistan Conference" organised by Harvard University's South Asia Institute has drawn sharp criticism from students, who argued that the event risked legitimising state-sponsored terror narratives on campus.

The backlash intensified in the wake of the deadly Pahalgam attack in Jammu and Kashmir, which students condemned as a "targeted, religion-based massacre."

After public backlash and a scolding from the party high command over his earlier statement, CM Siddaramaiah changed his tone. On Wednesday, the CM said that those who support Pakistan are traitors to the country. "Speaking in support of Pakistan is absolutely wrong, it's an act of treason. Do you understand?" he said on Wednesday.

Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal said that the Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs (CCPA) will decide on the opposition's demand for a special session of Parliament in response to the Pahalgam terror attack. Meghwal, who serves as Minister of State in the Parliamentary Affairs Ministry and also holds independent charge of the Law Ministry, told reporters that the CCPA will take a call on convening the session, and its decision will be communicated accordingly.

Several opposition leaders, including Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and MP Rahul Gandhi, have written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging the government to convene a special session of Parliament to demonstrate national unity following the 22 April terror attack that claimed the lives of 26 people, most of them tourists.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) team probing the Pahalgam massacre will again visit the Baisaran Valley, the site where terrorists killed 26 people on April 22. The team will be accompanied by forensic personnel to map the overall area entry and exit route of the terrorists on the fateful day.

The NIA has recorded drone and 3D dimension footage as part of its investigation and has so far collected over 150 witness statements.

The Indian Navy has issued a strong message by displaying its maritime capabilities. In a post on its official X handle, the Navy stated, "Fuelling the Maritime Might – No mission too distant, No Sea too vast (sic)." This declaration underscores the Navy’s preparedness and long-range operational reach, serving as a clear signal of strength amid escalating tensions in the wake of the recent attack.

Pakistan’s Information Minister, Attaullah Tarar, has claimed that his government has "credible intelligence" suggesting India is planning a military strike within the next 24 to 36 hours. He issued a warning to New Delhi, stating that any such move would lead to consequences.

Tarar accused India of using what he described as "baseless and concocted" allegations regarding Pakistan’s involvement in the Pahalgam attack as a pretext for military action. He further stressed that Pakistan has itself been a long-standing victim of terrorism and has consistently condemned it in all its forms.

Building on the earlier update regarding the night of 29-30 April, the Indian Army has reported unprovoked small arms firing by the Pakistan Army from positions across the Line of Control in Baramulla and Kupwara districts, as well as across the International Border in the Pargwal Sector. Indian troops responded in a measured and appropriate manner.

“We were told to stop work and return home,” said Raju Singh, a resident of Akhnoor in Jammu and Kashmir, describing a ceasefire violation by Pakistan. “Three to four rounds were fired last night around 8:30 to 9 pm. We were busy with our work when we received a call instructing us to halt everything and head back. After that, things remained quiet.”

Another local, Ankur Singh, shared his account: “Around 10 to 12 rounds were fired last night. The Indian Army responded to the firing. This is the first ceasefire violation in seven to eight years. We're used to such situations, but we’re on high alert now.”

Union ministers Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, S Jaishankar have arrived at PM Modi's residence for a meeting of the Cabinet Commiitee on Security (CCS) after the Pahalgam terror attack. This is the second meeting of the CCS since the massacre in Jammu and Kashmir in which 26 people were shot dead by terrorists on April 22.