Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a high level meeting following the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, where 26 people, including two foreign nationals, lost their lives after gunmen opened fire on tourists at the Baisaran meadow. The horrific attack has sparked nationwide outrage and prompted immediate action at the highest level.
The high-level meeting took place in New Delhi and was attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, CDS and all armed forces chief. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who was on an official visit to the United States, was on her way back to India during the meeting. Prime Minister Modi, cutting short his visit to Saudi Arabia, returned early and held a quick discussion with Jaishankar and Doval at the airport before heading straight into the security briefing.
According to intelligence reports, the attack was carried out by five to six terrorists, some of whom recently infiltrated from across the Line of Control. The mastermind has been identified as Saifullah Kasuri, also known by his alias Khalid, a senior commander of the Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba. Security forces have now launched a massive manhunt in and around the Pahalgam region, deploying aerial surveillance and ground operations to locate the attackers.
Following the meeting, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh condemned the attack and assured the nation that the perpetrators and their handlers will be brought to justice. He reaffirmed India’s zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism and emphasized that such brutal acts will not be left unanswered. As the country mourns the loss of innocent lives, security measures have been heightened, and intelligence agencies remain on high alert.
The Cabinet Committee on Security, India’s apex body on national security matters, continues to closely monitor the situation as further updates are awaited from the ground. The government has urged citizens to remain calm and stand united against any attempt to destabilize peace in the region.
