In the wake of the devastating terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has returned to India ahead of schedule, cutting short his official visit to Saudi Arabia. Upon landing in Delhi, the Prime Minister immediately convened an emergency meeting on the airport tarmac. The meeting was attended by National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, among others, to review the situation and assess the security implications.
Before returning, Modi had met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who strongly condemned the attack and expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives. The Crown Prince assured India of any necessary support during this difficult time. The Indian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Dr. Suhel Ajaz Khan, confirmed the Saudi leadership’s expression of solidarity and condemnation of terrorism.
Back in India, the Prime Minister is expected to lead a high-level Cabinet Committee on Security meeting to further evaluate the aftermath of the attack and coordinate national-level responses. Security forces in Jammu and Kashmir are continuing large-scale operations to track down the perpetrators. The attack claimed 28 lives, including Ramachandran, a tourist from Edappally, Kochi, who was shot in front of his daughter by attackers disguised in military uniforms.
The Resistance Front has reportedly claimed responsibility for the assault. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has officially taken over the probe and is expected to visit the attack site today. Postmortem procedures for the deceased victims, including Ramachandran, are also being carried out without delay, signaling the urgency and seriousness with which the incident is being handled.
