Pahalgam Terror Attack Updates: In a move reflecting heightened security concerns, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s aircraft avoided Pakistan’s airspace on his return journey from Saudi Arabia, cutting short his state visit to urgently address the terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, that left 26 civilians and tourists dead.
Flight tracking data reported by the NDTV confirmed that while the Air India One Boeing 777-300, operated by the Indian Air Force, used Pakistani airspace en route to Riyadh on Tuesday morning, it took a significant detour via the Arabian Sea and Gujarat on its return, bypassing Pakistan entirely before landing at Delhi’s Palam Air Force Base in the early hours of Wednesday.
According to defense sources, the altered flight path was a precautionary measure by Indian security agencies. The detour is viewed as a strategic decision in light of the growing threat from Pakistan-backed terror outfits operating in the region.
“This diversion signals that India is taking no chances with the Prime Minister’s safety, especially following the heinous attack in Pahalgam,” a senior official said.
Terror in Baisaran Valley: ‘A Planned Massacre’
The Pahalgam terror attack, described by eyewitnesses as a “massacre in broad daylight”, occurred around 2:30 PM Tuesday in Baisaran Valley, a scenic tourist destination often referred to as the “mini-Switzerland” of Kashmir.
Multiple armed terrorists — believed to be camouflaged and well-organized — descended on the valley, indiscriminately firing upon unarmed tourists and locals. Disturbing visuals from the aftermath show bloodied survivors pleading for help, including a woman crying next to her fatally wounded husband.
ALSO READ: ‘Go and tell this to Modi’: Pahalgam terrorist told woman after killing her husband
Among the 26 killed were a recently married Navy officer, an Intelligence Bureau official, and several tourists from Karnataka, Bihar, and Maharashtra. In a chilling moment recounted by survivors, one terrorist reportedly spared a woman and told her to “go tell Modi.”
Initial reports suggest the Resistance Front (TRF) — a proxy of the banned Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) — has claimed responsibility. The attackers are suspected to have infiltrated from Kishtwar and reached Pahalgam via Kokernag in south Kashmir.
PM Modi Responds: ‘Evil Agenda Will Never Succeed’
Upon landing, PM Modi convened an emergency meeting with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. On social media platform X, he condemned the attack and pledged decisive action: “Those behind this heinous act will not be spared… Their evil agenda will never succeed. Our resolve to fight terrorism is unshakeable.”
Amit Shah at Ground Zero, Vows Retaliation
At the PM’s directive, Union Home Minister Amit Shah rushed to Pahalgam late Tuesday. Before that, he held a high-level emergency video call with NSA Doval, J&K Governor Manoj Sinha, CM Omar Abdullah, and senior military and intelligence officials.
ALSO READ: ‘We were just eating Bhelpuri… then he shot my husband’: Pahalgam terror attack survivor’s account
“We will come down heavily on the perpetrators of this massacre,” Shah said from the attack site.
Nationwide Political Reactions
Jammu & Kashmir CM Omar Abdullah condemned the attack as “inhuman” and described the terrorists as “animals.” He stressed the scale of this assault was “unlike anything seen in recent years.”
Opposition leaders united in their condemnation. Sonia Gandhi called it an “act of cowardice” and called for a renewed national consensus on fighting terror. Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra echoed the call for accountability. Mamata Banerjee, Akhilesh Yadav, and Ravinder Raina of the BJP also voiced strong reactions, demanding swift justice.
Fears of Renewed Civilian Targeting
The Pahalgam attack has sparked concerns over a possible resurgence of targeted civilian killings in the Valley, reminiscent of last year’s attacks in Ganderbal and Shopian, which prompted the introduction of a new security grid for unpredictable counter-terror operations.
ALSO READ: ‘They will not be spared’: Modi reacts to Pahalgam terror attack
Emergency Helplines for Affected Families
For any assistance regarding the Pahalgam attack, the following helplines are active:
Srinagar Emergency Control Room
0194-2457543, 0194-2483651
Adil Fareed (ADC Srinagar): 7006058623
24/7 Tourist Help Desk – Anantnag
9596777669 | 01932-225870
WhatsApp: 9419051940
Tourism Department Assistance
8899931010 | 8899941010
Nissar (Asst Director): 9906663868
Mudassir (Tourist Officer): 9906906115
With national outrage mounting, security forces have launched a massive manhunt in south Kashmir to track down the attackers. The government is expected to intensify cross-border surveillance and diplomatic pressure on Pakistan following the TRF’s claim of responsibility.
