Prime Minister Narendra Modi cut short his Saudi Arabia visit and returned to New Delhi early Wednesday, hours after a horrific terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir left at least 28 tourists dead and many others injured. The attack, reportedly carried out by militants affiliated with The Resistance Front, has sent shockwaves across the country. PM Narendra Modi condemned the killings, vowed justice for the victims, and asserted that those behind the attack will be punished.
Terror strike mars PM’s foreign visit
The deadly ambush occurred while a group of tourists, including some foreign nationals, were exploring the scenic Bainsram meadows near Pahalgam. Militants opened fire indiscriminately, killing at least 28 and wounding several others. Intelligence agencies have linked the attackers to The Resistance Front, a shadow outfit of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba.
The incident took place just as PM Narendra Modi was on an official visit to Saudi Arabia, where he had met US Vice President JD Vance and hosted a dinner for the American second family. Upon learning of the tragedy, Narendra Modi was immediately briefed by Home Minister Amit Shah, who assured swift action against those responsible. Sources indicated that the prime minister decided to curtail his trip after the briefing and took a direct flight back to India.
Political condemnation and calls for justice
In a strongly worded post on social media, PM Narendra Modi expressed anguish over the loss of innocent lives, offering condolences to the bereaved families and wishing a speedy recovery to the injured. “Those behind this heinous act will be brought to justice. They will not be spared. Our resolve to fight terrorism is unshakable and it will get even stronger,” he stated.
Other senior leaders, including Union Ministers Kiren Rijiju and S Jaishankar, also denounced the attack. Rijiju remarked, “No words can heal the grief of the families who lost their loved ones. A befitting reply will come soon.”
Security has been intensified across sensitive areas of Jammu and Kashmir, and a high-level investigation is underway. As the nation mourns, the government faces renewed pressure to act decisively against terror networks operating in the region.
