Pahalgam terror attack LIVE: India suspends Indus Water Treaty

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said it was “heartbreaking” to see the exodus of tourists.

“It’s heartbreaking to see the exodus of our guests from the valley after yesterday's tragic terror attack in Pahalgam but at the same time we totally understand why people would want to leave. While DGCA & the Ministry of Civil Aviation are working to organise extra flights, NH-44 between Srinagar & Jammu has been reconnected for traffic in a single direction,” Abdullah posted on X.

“I’ve directed the administration to facilitate traffic between Srinagar and Jammu allowing tourist vehicles to leave. This will have to be done in a controlled and organised way because the road is still unstable in places and we are also working hard to clear all the stranded vehicles. We will not be able to permit completely free movement of vehicles at the moment and we hope that everyone will cooperate with us,” he added.

India’s sporting fraternity joined the nation in condemning the deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam with some demanding that the country cut all sports ties with Pakistan.

Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli expressed shock as they mourned the loss of lives.

“The affected families must be going through an unimaginable ordeal — India and the world stand united with them at this dark hour, as we mourn the loss of lives and pray for justice,” Tendulkar wrote.

“Heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims. Praying for peace and strength to families all those who lost their lives and justice to be served for their cruel act,” Kohli posted on his Instagram.

Similar sentiments were expressed by other top players such as Jasprit Bumrah and Suryakumar Yadav.

Pacer Mohammed Siraj posted an emotional message in which he called for justice.

“To target and kill innocent civilians in the name of religion is pure evil...No cause, no belief, no ideology can ever justify such a monstrous act. Yeh kaisi ladai hai...jahaan insaan ki jaan ki koi keemat hi nahi (what sort of a fight is this in which there is no value for human life),” he asked.

“I hope this madness ends soon and these terrorists are found and punished, without mercy,” he added.

Former India cricketer Shreevats Goswami wrote a strongly-worded post, demanding an end to all sporting ties with Pakistan.

“And this is exactly why I say — you don’t play cricket with Pakistan. Not now. Not ever. When BCCI or the government refused to send India to the Champions Trophy in Pakistan, some had the audacity to say, ‘Oh, but sport should rise above politics’,” Goswami wrote.

“...murdering innocent Indians seems to be Pakistan’s national sport and India should respond with zero tolerance and not with bats and balls,” he added.

While India has not played bilateral cricket with Pakistan since 2012–13, and the BCCI declined to send its team for the Champions Trophy earlier this year, other Indian teams have continued to travel to Pakistan for international events.

An “outraged” Olympic bronze medal-winning boxer and ruling BJP member Vijender Singh also called for firm “action”.

“Our brave soldiers will definitely give a befitting reply to this cowardly attack in the coming times. In the presence of the brave sons of Mother India, the plans of those who want to disturb the peace in Jammu and Kashmir will never succeed,” he asserted.

Indian cricket team head coach and BJP MP Gautam Gambhir wrote: “Praying for the families of the deceased. Those responsible for this will pay. India will strike.”

Two-time Olympic medal-winning badminton player PV Sindhu too penned down an emotional post.

“My heart aches for the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack. So much pain. So much loss. No reason, no cause can ever justify such brutality.

“To the families left behind — your grief is beyond words, but you are not alone.We are with you. In these dark moments, may we find strength in each other, and never let go of the hope that peace will return!” Sindhu wrote.

Olympic gold medallist duo of javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra and Abhinav Bindra prayed for the victims.

“Heartbroken by the tragic attack in Jammu & Kashmir. Prayers for the victims and their families,” Chopra wrote.

“Heartbroken by the horrific terrorist attack in Pahalgam. My thoughts are with the victims and their families. Terror has no place in our world, we must stand united against hatred and violence,” Bindra added.

“Strongly condemn this cowardly act by Pakistan-sponsored terrorists. India stands united with our brave Army, J&K Police, and Paramilitary forces in the fight against terrorism. Justice will prevail,” said former India all-rounder Suresh Raina.

“My heart goes out to family members of all those who lost their lives in dastardly attack. This can’t be forgiven,” former India spinner Harbhajan Singh wrote.

Olympic medal-winning former hockey goalkeeper PR Sreejesh, shuttler Saina Nehwal and two-time world champion boxer Nikhat Zareen also called for justice.

“Condemnation is not enough, justice must follow. Our hearts bleed for Pahalgam. Terror must never win. Prayers for all affected in the Pahalgam attack,” Sreejesh wrote.

“The Pahalgam terror attack is a heartbreaking reminder of the threats we continue to face. To those spreading fear — know that India stands united, and justice will prevail. Jai Hind,” Saina posted.

Zareen added, “Those who attack innocents attack humanity itself. Strongly condemn the cowardly terror attack in Pahalgam. Justice must be swift.”

Former India wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel said he was left numb by the terrible act. “Shocked and angry to hear what happened in Kashmir. While those responsible will be punished, right now there's a numb disbelief at the terrible acts and the manner in which it all happened,” Parthiv wrote.

The Indian batting duo of Shubman Gill and KL Rahul and former spinner and India captain Anil Kumble also offered their condolences.

“Innocent lives lost to senseless violence. Praying for strength and peace for the affected families. Let's stand together against hate,” he wrote.

Former India coach Ravi Shastri added, “A ghastly, cowardly act that should unite the nation fully, bar none.”

Bereaved family members of the two Kolkata men killed in the Pahalgam terror attack are waiting for the return of their mortal remains.

Senior minister Firhad Hakim, after visiting the residence of one of the deceased, Samir Guha, at their Behala residence, said his mortal remains will be brought back to Kolkata around 8.30 pm on Wednesday.

“I will be there at the airport and all assistance will be provided by the Kolkata Municipal Corporation,” Hakim, who is also the city mayor, said.

Guha of Behala and Bitan Adhikari of Baishnabghata were among the 26 people, mostly tourists, who were killed in the terror attack at Baisaran meadow in south Kashmir on Tuesday.

West Bengal ministers Aroop Biswas and Firhad Hakim visited the residences of Adhikari and Guha respectively on Wednesday morning and spoke to their family members.

Adhikari, who worked in the United States, came home on a holiday and was visiting Kashmir with his wife Sohini and their child, he said.

Biswas said that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has spoken to Sohini over phone and is keeping stock of the situation round the clock.

The distraught family members of Guha, who resided at Sakherbazar in Behala, said they were awaiting the return of the mortal remains of the deceased.

Hakim, after visiting their residence, said the chief minister was constantly in touch with the family members.

Another man, Manish Ranjan, who hailed from Jhalda in Purulia district of West Bengal, was also killed in the terror attack.

Ranjan was a central government employee and resided at Hyderabad on work, his relatives said.

He was visiting Kashmir on a holiday with his family, they said.

Neha alias Kishori Waghulade, who works as a casual announcer with the All India Radio in Maharashtra’s Jalgaon, feels she must have done something good in life to have survived the deadly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam town.

Visiting Pahalgam with a group of holiday-makers, Neha Waghulade was admiring the natural beauty of Baisaran meadows when the terrorists struck on Tuesday afternoon.

“I must have done something good in life, that’s why I am still alive,” she told her husband later.

Her husband, Tushar Waghulade, speaking from Jalgaon, said his wife went to Kashmir with a group of friends on April 15.

“The group was in Pahalgam… When I called her around 2 pm on Tuesday, she said there was firing and a terror attack was taking place. She told me she was safe and would contact me later,” he said.

Tushar Waghulade said he sensed the gravity of the situation from her voice. “She sounded shaken. Then she cut the call. I understood how serious it was,” he said.

They spoke again in the evening.

“Between 7.30 pm and 8 pm, she told me she was fine. She mentioned ambulances and that more security personnel were arriving. She said some tourists had died, but her group was safe,” Tushar Waghulade said.

“She told me that during the afternoon call there was a loud noise and people were panicking. After she hung up, I assumed her group had been moved to a safer place,” he said.

Tushar Waghulade said his wife described how the Indian Army responded.

“She said the Army acted fast. They first hid tourists in vehicles and ambulances, and later shifted everyone to a safe place about 1.5 km from the attack site. Many tourists spent the night there,” he said.

The group resumed their onward journey the next morning. “Today (Wednesday), they left for Katra to continue their tour and will later visit the Vaishno Devi Temple,” he said.

Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat has said some people with nefarious intentions have tried to again “incite separatism and terrorism” in the Valley and asserted that his ministry will do the best to “minimise the dent” on tourism in Jammu and Kashmir in the wake of the Pahalgam attack.

He said he and his office are in “continuous touch” with the chief secretary and the tourism secretary of the Union Territory and keeping an eye on the situation.

The entire nation is pained and feeling hurt in the wake of the terror attack in Pahalgam yesterday, and loss of many innocent lives in it, Shekhawat said.

“This cowardly incident has hurt our sentiments. But, some people with their nefarious intention, have tried to incite separatism and terrorism in Kashmir again,” he told reporters.

Congress president and LoP, Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, urges the Centre to convene an all-party meeting at the earliest to discuss the terror attack in Pahalgam. "Not the time for politics or pointing out lapses," says Kharge, adding the Congress will fully support the government on any move to crack down on the perpetrators of the attack.

A team of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has reached the Pahalgam terrorist attack site. The team will assist the J&K Police with the investigation.

The J&K government has announces an ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh each for the families of the deceased, Rs 2 lakh for those seriously injured, and Rs 1 lakh for those with minor injuries.