Pahalgam Terror Attack: 26 dead, Modi cut short Saudi trip, Kashmir shutdown today| 10 updates

Gunmen killed as many as 26 people on Tuesday in one of the worst attacks on civilians in India’s northern Jammu and Kashmir region in years. Local officials confirmed at least 16 dead, although people familiar with the matter said the death toll was about 25 to 26, with several others injured. The people asked not to be identified as the information isn’t public.

The gunmen started firing indiscriminately at tourists near the popular tourist destination of Pahalgam, about 90 kilometers (56 miles) east of Srinagar, PTI reported. Two foreigners were among those killed in the attack, it said. No group has so far claimed responsibility for the attack.
 

Here's look at top updates at this hour:

PM Narendra Modi has cut short his Saudi trip and has return to India on Wednesday. Earlier, the prime minister condemned the attack and said those behind the act “will be brought to justice.”

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday reached out to Prime Minister Narendra Modi following the deadly terrorist attack. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, quoting the US President,"President Trump strongly condemned the terror attack and expressed full support to India to bring to justice the perpetrators of this heinous attack. India and the United States stand together in the fight against terror," said Jaiswal, quoting the US President.

Rahul Gandhi spoke to Home Minister Amit Shah, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Congress' J&K unit president Tariq Karra about the horrific Pahalgam terror attack to get an update on the situation. He said the families of victims deserve justice and our fullest support.

"Spoke with HM Amit Shah, J&K CM Omar Abdullah, and J&K PCC President Tariq Karra about the horrific Pahalgam terror attack. Received an update on the situation,"he posted

Also, world leaders including Anthony Albanese, Benjamin Netanyahu mourned the deadly attack and showed their support to PM Narendra Modi.

Israel's Prime Minister's Office posted on X, "My dear friend @narendramodi, I am deeply saddened by the barbaric terrorist attack in #Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, that killed and injured dozens of innocents. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims & their families. Israel stands with India in its fight against terrorism."

Australia PM said, “I am shocked by the horrific terror attack on innocent civilians in Jammu and Kashmir overnight. There is no justification for this violence and Australia condemns it. Our hearts go out to the injured, to those mourning loved ones and to everyone in Australia touched by this terrible news.”

Meanwhile, several political parties in Jammu and Kashmir have extended support to the call for a Kashmir Bandh (shutdown) on Wednesday to condemn deadly the attack.

Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) has appealed to the people to make the Bandh a “complete success”.

In a social media post on X, JKNC wrote, “On the instruction of the Party President, JKNC joins the collective call for a bandh in strong condemnation of the Pahalgam terror attack. We appeal to the people of J&K to ensure the hartal called by religious and social leaders is a complete success.”

Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti called it an "attack on all of us" and extended support for the bandh.

"The Chamber and Bar Association Jammu has called for a complete shutdown tomorrow in protest against the horrific militant attack on tourists. I appeal all Kashmiris to unite in solidarity to support this bandh as a mark of respect for the innocent lives lost in the brutal assault in Pahalgam. This isn't just an attack on a select few--it is an attack on all of us. We stand together in grief and outrage & strongly support this shutdown to condemn the massacre of innocents," Mufti posted on X.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is also cutting short her official visit to the US and Peru and will depart for India at the earliest, according to an official statement on Wednesday.