Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is in Saudi Arabia, dialed Home Minister Amit Shah soon after the terrorist attack in Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir, claiming the life of a tourist.
Amit Shah has been asked by the Prime Minister to personally assess the situation to visit the site of a terrorist attack in Anantnag district of South Kashmir.
Soon after, Mr. Shah convened a special meeting at his house. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, CRPF DG, Jammu Kashmir DG, and army officials attended the meeting through video conferencing.
Shortly thereafter, Mr. Shah announced “We will overshadow criminals”.
Mr. Shah said, “Tourists in Pahgam, Jammu and Kashmir suffered from terrorist attacks. My views are with the family members of the deceased. People involved in this disgusting act of terror will not be spared, and we will overshadow criminals with harsh consequences.”
He said, “The incident was briefed by PM Shri @narendramodi Ji and held a meeting with the officials concerned through video conferencing. Soon Srinagar would leave to hold an immediate security review meeting with all agencies,” he said.
Pissing from terrorist attacks on tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. My views are with the family members of the deceased. People involved in this negative work of terror will not be spared, and we will come down heavyly with heavy consequences on criminals.
– Amit Shah (@AmitShah) 22 April, 2025
The terrorists were clearly in camouflage and are considered a target attack. The injured tourists have been taken to a local hospital in Pahlagam.
Defense Minister Rajnath Singh called it “the Act of cowardice and highly condemnable”.
Mr. Singh said, “This is deepened by the news of a terrorist attack in Pahgam (Jammu and Kashmir). It is denied to innocent citizens
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said that the “attack is much bigger than anything” in recent years.
The Chief Minister has posted on X, “The toll of death is being detected, so I do not want to go into those details. They will be officially made aware as the situation becomes clear. To say that the attack is much larger than anything directed by citizens in recent years.”
The Chief Minister expressed deep grief and resentment over the incident.
He said, “I am surprised beyond confidence. This attack on our visitors is a hatred. The criminal animals of this attack are inhuman and worthy of contempt. No words of condemnation are enough. I send their sympathy to the families of the deceased,” he said that arrangements were being made for the injured in the hospital.
He said, “I have spoken to my colleague, Sakina Itu and she has gone to the hospital to oversee the arrangements for the injured. I will immediately fly back to Srinagar.”
Political leaders at parties have strongly condemned the firing incident, calling it peace and attack on the region’s tourism sector.
BJP leader Ravinder Raina claimed that in South Kashmir, he was attacked by “Pakistani terrorists” targeting innocent tourists.
“Pakistani terrorists have launched a cowardly terrorist attack on tourists in Pahalgam, South Kashmir. Cowardi terrorist terrorist cannot face the brave soldiers of the Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police and our paramilitary forces,” said Ravinder Raina.
He said that unarmed citizens were deliberately targeted, saying, “These cowardly terrorists have targeted unarmed, innocent tourists who came to meet Kashmir.”
Congress leader Wicker Rasul Wani condemned the incident and expressed concern about its impact on the local economy.
“We strongly condemn this … Why are they attacking tourists? The economy is completely dependent on tourists. It is a part of a large conspiracy to attack tourists, and the government should investigate the incident …”, Wani said.
