Pahalgam LIVE: 500 Pakistanis leave India; demolitions continue in Kashmir
Modi says attack reflects desperation and cowardice of terrorists and their mentors at a time when peace was returning to Kashmir
Pakistan wants the involvement of Russia and China in investigating the Pahalgam terror attack, according to a media report.
In a recent interview to Russian government-run RIA Novosti news agency, Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said, “I think Russia or China or even Western countries can play a very, very positive role in this crisis and they can even set up an investigation team that should be assigned this job to investigate whether India or Modi is lying or he is telling the truth. Let an international team find out.”
‘When peace was returning…’
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday (April 27) reiterated his warning to the perpetrators and plotters of the terror attack in which terrorists snuffed out 26 innocent lives. He said those behind the attack will be served the most stringent punishment.
In his ‘Mann Ki Baat’ address, Modi said the solidarity of Indians in the war against terrorism is the country’s biggest strength.
He said the incident reflected the desperation and cowardice of terrorists and their mentors at a time when peace was returning to Kashmir, tourism was seeing a record surge, democracy was turning stronger and new opportunities were being created for the youth.
“Enemies of the country and Kashmir did not like it,” he said, adding that they wanted the Valley to be destroyed again.
“In the war against terrorism, the unity of the country, the solidarity of 140 crore Indians, is our biggest strength. The world is watching that India is speaking in one voice against the attack,” he said, stressing that this unity is the biggest basis of the decisive battle against terrorism.
NIA takes over probe
The Centre on Sunday handed over the probe into the terror attack to the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
Eyewitnesses are being questioned in minute detail to piece together the sequence of events that led to one of the worst terror attacks in Kashmir, they said.
The entry and exit points are being closely scrutinised by the investigating NIA teams for clues to the modus operandi of the terrorists, the officials said.
The teams, aided by forensic and other experts, are checking the entire area thoroughly for evidence to expose the terror conspiracy that led to the horrendous attack that has shocked the nation, they said.
Unprovoked firing by Pak
Pakistani troops resorted to unprovoked firing, violating the ceasefire along the Line of Control (LOC) in Jammu and Kashmir for the third time in a row on the intervening night of April 26 and 27. The Indian Army “responded effectively” to the firing, officials said on Sunday.
The Indian Army said its troops “responded effectively with appropriate small arms fire”.
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Live Updates
- 27 April 2025 7:50 AM GMT
#WATCH | Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir: Members of the Gujjar and Bakarwal community hold a protest against #PahalgamTerrroristAttack pic.twitter.com/K7xDo4uWrs
— ANI (@ANI) April 27, 2025 - 27 April 2025 7:38 AM GMT
China unlikely to get involved in India-Pak ‘instability’: Ex-army commander
China is unlikely to get directly involved in the “instability” between India and Pakistan in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack, due to the current geopolitical scenario and tariff-related “complexities”, a former Indian Army commander has said.
He, however, also underscored that China’s friendship with Pakistan is a known fact.
“Post the Galwan 2020 incident, after a lot of consultations and deliberations between the two countries, the stand-off at the last of the friction points has been resolved,” former Eastern Command chief Lt Gen (retd) Rana Pratap Kalita told PTI.
A “process of normalisation” has taken place after resolution of the last areas of conflict and bilateral mechanism has picked up, including talks to start direct flights and resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, he said.
Kalita also pointed out that both countries face hiked trade tariffs imposed by the US, which also impacts the global economy.
With India and China being manufacturing countries as well as major consumption markets, the impact of change in tariffs is bound to be felt more, he said.
“Seeing these complexities and geopolitical developments as well, whether there will be any direct manifestation of the Chinese towards the instability caused by the Pahalgam incident is difficult to predict at the moment. But as of now, I don’t see them getting directly involved,” the former army commander said.
“The vulnerability of the sea link with Pakistan is known. The importance of access to the Arabian Sea through Pakistan for China is also a known fact,” Kalita added.
- 27 April 2025 7:31 AM GMT
BJP targets Siddaramaiah, as Pak media plays up his 'no need for war' comments
The opposition BJP on Sunday slammed Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, with Pakistan media playing up his "no need for war" comments over the Pahalgam terror attack.
Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly R Ashoka accused Siddaramaiah of acting like a "puppet" of an enemy nation, at a time when the country is facing a very sensitive situation, with the threat of war looming over the border.
Siddaramaiah on Saturday had said there is no need for a war with Pakistan, but the central government should strengthen the security system.
"There is no need for war, stringent measures should be taken. The security system needs to be tightened. We are not in favour of war. There should be peace, people should have security, and the central government should take security measures...." he had said.
The terror attack in Pahalgam of Jammu and Kashmir on April 22 has left at least 26 persons dead, including two from Karnataka.
Addressing Siddaramaiah as "Pakistan Ratna", Ashoka chided him, saying, he has become world famous in Pakistan overnight due to your childish and absurd statements.
"Congratulations to you. If you ever visit Pakistan again, you are guaranteed royal hospitality. It will not be surprising if the Pakistani government honours you with the highest civilian award, the Nishan-e-Pakistan, as a great peace ambassador who has advocated for Pakistan," he said in a post on 'X', with a clipping of a Pakistani news channel playing up Siddaramaiah's statement.
The presence of people like Siddaramaiah in public life is the biggest tragedy of our country, Ashoka added.
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi said, the entire world is condemning the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, but it has become a habit for Congress leaders to talk lightly about the country without knowing the real situation.
"The entire world is offering condolences to India. Most countries are telling India to teach the terrorists a lesson in a way that they understand. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has made a statement that we should not punish those involved in terrorist activities but strengthen our security. This is condemnable," he said in a post on 'X'.
In-charge of BJP's National Information & Technology Department, Amit Malviya in his 'X' post said, "Congress rushes to Pakistan’s rescue. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who owes his position to Muslim votes, is being quoted across Pakistan for suggesting that we focus on security measures in Kashmir instead of confronting Pakistan, despite them murdering Indian Hindus in cold blood."
- 27 April 2025 5:52 AM GMT
'Every citizen seething with anger'
Today, as I talk my heart out with you, there is a deep agony in my heart. The Pahalgam terrorist attack of 22 April has left every citizen heartbroken. Everybody feels deep sympathy for the families of the victims... I understand every citizen is seething with anger after seeing the images of the terrorist attack: PM Modi
- 27 April 2025 5:50 AM GMT
'When peace was returning to Kashmir...'
This attack in Pahalgam reflects the frustration of those who patronise terrorism.... At a time when peace was returning to Kashmir, enemies of the nation and J&K did not like it. Terrorists and their masters want Kashmir to be destroyed once again. That is why such a big conspiracy was hatched. In this war against terrorism, the unity of the nation is our biggest strength... We must strengthen our resolve to face this challenge: Modi
