LIVE UPDATES | Pahalgam terror attack: PM Modi holds high-level meeting with Defence Minister, NSA, CDS & service chiefs to review national security

Apr 29, 2025 07:12 PM

Grieving widow urges leaders not to politicise Pahalgam terror attack

Amid growing political controversy over the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, Pragati Jagdale—the wife of Santosh Jagdale, one of the six Maharashtra residents killed—has made an emotional plea to political leaders, urging them not to exploit the tragedy for political gain.

Speaking to reporters in Pune, Pragati, who survived the April 22 attack, said the victims’ families were still reeling from the trauma. “Please don’t politicise the incident or toy with our pain. We were there. We heard what the terrorists said,” she stated. She claimed that the attackers clearly targeted non-Muslims and carried out the killings with cold-blooded intent.

Jagdale recalled the horror of the attack, saying the images continue to haunt her. “Every time I close my eyes, I see a man with a rifle. Sleep has become impossible. The trauma is overwhelming,” she said, adding that she and other survivors heard the assailants make discriminatory remarks.

Her comments came in response to a controversial statement by Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar. Questioning the narrative, Wadettiwar remarked, “Do terrorists really have the time to whisper in someone’s ear and confirm their religion before killing? This is highly contentious.”

Meanwhile, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced a compensation of Rs 50 lakh and government jobs for the next of kin of the deceased victims. Pragati Jagdale expressed hope that with government support, her daughter Asavari would be able to rebuild her life despite the immense personal loss.

Apr 29, 2025 06:38 PM

Pakistan fails to attack Indian Army's Cyberspace

Pakistan-based cyber actors have once again failed in their attempts to violate Indian cyber sovereignty. With its imprints in the Pahalgam terror attack clear, the Pakistani forces have been violating the ceasefire on the Loc every day.

Now, Pakistan has redirected its efforts towards publicly accessible welfare and educational websites after finding mission-critical national networks impenetrable. Operating under the moniker "IOK Hacker" - Internet of Khilafah, the group sought to deface pages, disrupt online services and harvest personal information. India's layered cybersecurity architecture detected the intrusions in real-time and quickly traced their origin to Pakistan.

Sources say that Intelligence assessments confirm four related incidents. The websites of Army Public School (APS) Srinagar and APS Ranikhet were both targeted with inflammatory propaganda. APS Srinagar also faced a distributed-denial-of-service assault.

An attempted breach of the Army Welfare Housing Organisation (AWHO) database was likewise detected, while a concurrent effort was made to compromise the Indian Air Force Placement Organisation portal. All four sites were promptly isolated, and restorative action was undertaken; no operational or classified networks were affected at any stage.

Apr 29, 2025 06:37 PM

Supporting Pakistan in name of secularism will not be acceptable: Andhra Dy CM Pawan Kalyan

 Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan on Tuesday attacked Congress leaders over their remark in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack and said that someone supporting Pakistan in the "name of secularism" will not be "acceptable."

"A few people are expressing affection for Pakistan while living in India. If they truly love Pakistan, they should leave India and go there. Why is there so much affection for Pakistan? If you genuinely support them, then go live there...Some individuals, especially Congress leaders--possibly MLCs--from the southern part of India, are making such statements during TV debates. There are internal differences within the Congress party...If there is an attack on India and someone supports Pakistan in the name of secularism, it will not be acceptable," Kalyan said.

Apr 29, 2025 06:36 PM

In a strong condemnation of the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, RSS leader Indresh Kumar on Tuesday stated that the incident was "shameful, disgusting, and insulting," and that the level of brutality displayed was beyond limits.

Calling for strict action, he said that those directly or indirectly involved will be taught a lesson.

Speaking to ANI, Indresh Kumar said, "This is shameful, disgusting and insulting. There is no limit to brutality. Therefore, no amount of condemnation is sufficient, and those who are directly or indirectly involved in this should be held accountable. A voice should be raised in Jammu and Kashmir that we are Hindustani first, then we are Kashmiri, Dogri, and Punjabi. We should give a befitting reply with this voice."

Apr 29, 2025 06:36 PM

Jaishankar discusses Pahalgam attack with Greek counterpart, welcomes Greece's opposition to cross-border terrorism

 External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held a telephonic conversation with his Greek counterpart, George Gerapetritis, on Tuesday to discuss the Pahalgam terrorist attack. He also welcomed Greece's "firm opposition" to cross-border terrorism.

In a post on X, Jaishankar stated, "A good conversation with FM George Gerapetritis of Greece. Discussed the Pahalgam terrorist attack. Welcome Greece's firm opposition to cross-border terrorism. Our Strategic Partnership reflects the depth of our ties." 

Apr 29, 2025 06:30 PM

#WATCH | PM Narendra Modi chairs a meeting with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, NSA Ajit Doval, CDS and chiefs of all the Armed Forces. pic.twitter.com/Wf00S8YVQO

— ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2025

Apr 29, 2025 06:29 PM

What we know so far

High-Level Security Meeting:

On Tuesday, a crucial meeting was held at the Ministry of Home Affairs following the Pahalgam terror attack. It was attended by Home Minister Amit Shah along with senior officials from NSG, BSF, CRPF, and SSB.

Cabinet Meeting Scheduled

The Union Cabinet meeting, chaired by PM Narendra Modi, is scheduled for Wednesday at 11 am. This is the first Cabinet meeting after the Pahalgam attack.

Key Security Briefings

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Chief of Defence Staff Anil Chauhan, and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval met with PM Modi to discuss the situation.

Action Against Pakistan

India blocked the X (formerly Twitter) handle of Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif after a viral video surfaced where he allegedly admitted Pakistan's long-term terror funding. India also banned 17 Pakistani YouTube channels on Monday.

Attack Mastermind Identified

Intelligence agencies revealed that the mastermind of the Pahalgam attack is Hashim Musa, a former Pakistani SSG commando now working with Lashkar-e-Taiba. He was sent to Kashmir to target security forces and non-Kashmiris.

Previous Attacks

Hashim Musa had also carried out an attack in Gagangir, Ganderbal (October 2024), killing several labourers and a local doctor.

Ongoing NIA Investigation

The NIA is continuously recreating the crime scene and is searching for locals who may have assisted the terrorists.

Casualties

The Pahalgam attack on April 22 in the Baisaran Valley resulted in the death of 26 tourists.

Apr 29, 2025 06:15 PM

Multiple counter-terrorism operations underway in Jammu and Kashmir

According to sources cited by ANI, multiple counter-terrorism operations are currently underway in various locations across Jammu and Kashmir. Security forces have not yet released detailed information about these operations.

Apr 29, 2025 06:10 PM

Pakistan army mobilises artillery near LoC amid rising tensions

In the wake of the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, the Pakistan army has begun redeploying forces closer to the Line of Control (LoC), raising regional tensions. Artillery regiments, including heavy units, have reportedly been moved from rear bases such as Sialkot to forward areas like Shakargarh. Notably, the Sindh Regiment has been observed repositioning near Lahore.

In addition to these movements, Pakistan is conducting a major military exercise, ‘Hammer Strike,’ in the Kharian region, opposite the Jammu sector. Artillery assets have also been deployed along the Indo-Pakistani border in conjunction with increased troop movement.

Reports indicate the involvement of various Pakistani army units, including the Frontier Force Regiment, being stationed at strategic border points.