Pahalgam terror attack LIVE: India suspends Indus Water Treaty

Raipur-based businessman Dinesh Mirania was celebrating his wedding anniversary with his family members during their vacation in Kashmir's Pahalgam, when the happy occasion turned into a tragedy as he was killed by terrorists in front of his wife and two children.

The anniversary celebration and a religious event were part of a long-awaited excursion plan for the Mirania family, said a family member on Wednesday.

“Dinesh ji was my brother-in-law's brother. Yesterday, at around 5.30 pm we were informed that he had been shot. When we inquired, by 9.30 pm we got to know that he had been taken to a hospital and later learnt about his death. His wife was slightly injured, but is safe,” said Amar Bansal, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and a relative of the Mirania family.

“He (Mirania) had gone to participate in a Bhagwat Katha event. It was also his wedding anniversary that he had planned to celebrate in the valley when this tragic incident happened,” he added.

Sudhir Agrawal, another relative of the family, said that around 6 pm on Tuesday he received a call from Mirania's son who told him about the incident.

“He told me that there had been a terror attack followed by a stampede. We learnt that they asked what the names of the tourists were, let the women and children go and then shot the victims,” said Agrawal, who is married to the niece of the deceased.

“Mirania had three brothers. All of them live in Raipur. He was killed after terrorists asked his name,” he added.

State Revenue Minister Tank Ram Verma, who visited his house here, said Mirania's mortal remains will be brought to Raipur in the evening. The other family members will also fly back home in the evening, he added.

US lawmakers, prominent India-US bodies and members of the Indian-American community on Wednesday strongly condemned the horrific terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, asserting that perpetrators should be brought to justice.

“I send my condolences to the people of India in the aftermath of the horrific attack in Kashmir and hope those responsible will be brought to justice soon. Terrorism is never tolerated,” US Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Senator Jim Risch said in a post on X.

In a call with Modi, who was on a two-day State visit to Saudi Arabia, US President Donald Trump strongly condemned the terror attack and expressed full support to India to bring to justice the perpetrators of the “heinous attack.”

Deputy Secretary at the Department of State Christopher Landau said the US “strongly condemns” the terrorist attack in Kashmir and “stands resolutely alongside India. Sending very heartfelt condolences to all Indians, and especially those who have lost their loved ones in this heinous attack on tourists and civilians.”

Senator Bill Hagerty said the US stands with India. “I condemn the shocking attack today by Islamic terrorists who murdered dozens of people in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir.”

The “terrorist attack in Kashmir is a deeply disturbing reminder that the threat posed to civilized nations by terrorism remains acute,” Senator Ted Cruz said. He added that the US will stand with India and Prime Minister Modi “as they bring these terrorists to justice.”

Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi said he is heartbroken by the horrific attack on innocent tourists in Kashmir. “We must stand united against terrorism in all its forms and bring the perpetrators to justice,” he said.

Representative Ro Khanna, Congressman Shri Thanedar, Congressman Rich McCormick, Congressman Greg Murphy, Congressman Jimmy Patronis, Representative Bill Huizenga and Representative Marc Veasey also condemned the terrorist attack and offered condolences and prayers to the families of the victims.

Senator Rick Scott said he and his wife Ann are devastated to hear of the “evil terrorist attack” in Pahalgam, India. “The US stands with India as we pray for those who lost loved ones or were injured in this unimaginable attack.”

Vivek Ramaswamy, who was a 2024 presidential primary candidate and had briefly co-headed the Department of Government Efficiency along with billionaire Elon Musk, termed the attack “horrific” and extended condolences to the families of those who died.

Khanderao Kand, Chief of Policy and Strategy at the Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies, strongly condemned the terrorist attack, saying both the US and India have been burned by state-sponsored terror.

“The world must stand united to eradicate terrorism in all its forms, everywhere and states directly or indirectly sponsoring or promoting such acts of terrorism must not only be condemned but also sanctioned with stoppage of any aid to them, especially military. India has been subjected to an ongoing war of terror sponsored by Pakistan agencies, operators, terror groups and agencies,” he said.

The US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) strongly condemned the dastardly attack, saying it was a reminder of the constant threat of terrorism that continues to lurk from both state and non-state nefarious actors.

“While India will continue to remain resilient in the face of such adversity, this unfortunate incident is a sobering reminder, of just why the US-India defence and security partnership remains vital to stand up to such abominable adversaries and anticipate and prevent further attacks both on Indian soil or to its strategic partners and assets overseas,” USISPF said, adding that it is a shame that the picturesque town of Pahalgam has now been marred with the bloody horrors of this heinous attack.

Former adviser to President Joe Biden and Co-Chair for the Economic Subcommittee for Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Commission Ajay Bhutoria too condemned the terrorist attack in Kashmir. “My prayers go out to the victims and their families. Let’s unite against terror!”

Hindus Advancing Human Rights Initiative (HAHRI), an arm of HinduPACT, unequivocally condemned the attack, with its executive director Rahul Sur saying that the “world has been warned repeatedly about this Islamic fundamentalism. It must be crushed. It is time to sanction Pakistan.”

The Kashmiri Overseas Association (KOA) condemned the terror attack in Pahalgam and said the 26 tourists were executed by Islamist terrorists by targetting solely for their Hindu faith.

The Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) unequivocally condemned the terrorist action, with GOPIO International President Prakash Shah saying the “world cannot idly stand by each time terrorists take actions and nations must unite and take joint actions against terrorists and those that harbor them.” “That is the only way to end Terrorism,” Shah added.

GOPIO Chairman Thomas Abraham reaffirmed solidarity and resolve in the fight against terrorism in all its forms and wherever it occurs. “The Indian Diaspora will remain united with the Government of India’s efforts to combat terrorism,” he said.

Several traders’ associations in Delhi held protests on Wednesday, condemning the Pahalgam terror attack.

As a mark of protest, traders tied black ribbons on their arms, demanding immediate action against the terrorists involved in the attack.

During the demonstration, protesters held placards with slogans such as ‘Doshiyon ke khilaf karwayi karo’ (take action against the guilty), ‘Begunahon ka balidaan nahi sahega Hindustan’ (India will not tolerate the sacrifice of innocents) and ‘Katl-e-aam bandh karo’ (Stop the massacre).

They also carried posters featuring photos of the victims and their families, which had been circulating online.

The Chandni Chowk Traders Association held a demonstration outside the Town Hall, while the Federation of Sadar Bazaar Traders protested near Qutub Road.

The Janasena Party on Wednesday condemned the terror attack in Pahalgam. Party chief and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan announced a three-day mourning across Andhra Pradesh.

Pawan Kalyan expressed deep grief over the attack and directed that party flags be flown at half-mast during the mourning period, according to a party statement.

Candlelight vigils will be held across the state every evening during the three days, the statement added.

As part of the protest and to pray for the departed souls, a candlelight vigil will be held by Civil Supplies Minister N Manohar at Janasena’s Mangalagiri office on Wednesday.

“Terrorism has no place in a civil society. We stand united and resolved in grief,” Pawan Kalyan said, calling the attack inhuman and intolerable.

On Friday, human chains will be formed across the state in protest against terrorism, expressing solidarity with the victims and reaffirming Janasena’s commitment to peace, the party said.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday participated in the funeral prayers of a pony ride operator who was killed in Tuesday’s terror attack in Pahalgam.

The CM also interacted with the family members of the deceased, Syed Adil Hussain Shah, at Hapatnar in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district and assured them of all support.

“Perhaps he tried to stop them and tried to take away gun of a terrorist, that is why he was then targeted,” Abdullah told reporters.

“We will have to take care of the family and help them. I have come here to assure them that the government stands with them at this juncture and we will do whatever we can for them,” the chief minister said.

Adil was the only local person killed in the attack in Baisaran meadows on Tuesday in which 25 tourists were massacred.