Pahalgam LIVE: Armed Forces can decide India's response: PM Modi

Jaishankar briefs foreign ministers of slovenia, Panama, Algeria and Guyana

 External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday discussed the Pahalgam terror attack with his counterparts from Slovenia, Panama, Algeria and Guyana during separate phone conversations.

He is learned to have conveyed to the foreign ministers India's policy of "zero tolerance" towards terrorism.

"A warm conversation with FM Hugh Hilton Todd of Guyana today. Discussed the Pahalgam terrorist attack and the need to combat terrorism in all forms and manifestations," the external affairs minister said on 'X'.

"Are you with India or Pakistan?" : Anurag Thakur to Congress

Upping the ante against Congress over its alleged adverse comments on the Pahalgam terror attack, BJP leader Anurag Thakur asked the grand old party "Are you with India or Pakistan?". He further alleged that the "pro-Pakistan" face of Congress has been exposed again. 

Terrorists frustrated after PM's message on Pahalgam attack : MoS Home

Exercise restraint : China urges India and Pakistan

Reiterating its call to India and Pakistan to exercise restraint, China on Tuesday told the two nuclear-armed neighbours that their harmonious coexistence is vital to the peace, stability and development of the region.

Both India and Pakistan are important countries in South Asia, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun told a media briefing here.

Guo made the remarks in response to a question on the exchange of gunfire by the troops of the two countries following the Pahalgam terror attack that left 26 people dead.

“Their harmonious coexistence is vital to the peace, stability and development of the region," Guo said.

As the neighbour of the two countries, China calls on the two sides to exercise restraint, properly handle differences through dialogue and consultation, and jointly keep the region peaceful and stable, he said.

Guo on Monday made a similar remark on the tensions between India and Pakistan and said it welcomed all measures to “cool down” the current situation between the two neighbours.

“As a common neighbour of India and Pakistan, China hopes that both sides will exercise restraint, meet each other halfway, properly handle relevant differences through dialogue and consultation, and jointly maintain regional peace and stability," he said.

Pahalgam terror attack: Meitei body accuses Centre of bias

As emotions run high in the country in the wake of thee Pahalgam terror attack, an umbrella body of several Meitei civil society organisations of Manipur, called the COCOMI on Tuesday accused the Centre of being biased in its response to terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir and the northeastern state.

In the case of Kashmir, the government treats terrorist groups as enemies, while it seems that the Centre has been treating militants in Manipur in a friendly manner, COCOMI Convenor Athouba Khuraijam claimed.

Terrorists gunned down 26 people, mostly tourists from various parts of the country, in the popular destination of Pahalgam in Kashmir on April 22.

Following the terror strike, India has taken a series of measures targeting Pakistan, including putting in abeyance the Indus Waters Treaty with the neighbouring country.

"When it comes to Kashmir and similar regions, the government treats terrorist groups as immediate enemies and responds with aggressive action. In contrast, when dealing with terrorist groups that have infiltrated from Myanmar into northeastern states, the Centre appears to treat them in a friendly and complacent manner," Khuraijam told reporters.

"This kind of partial treatment by central leaders toward the people of the Northeast has long been a serious concern," he said.

Ethnic violence between Meitei and Kuki communities in Manipur since May 2023 left over 260 people dead and thousands homeless, and the government accused illegal immigrants from neighbouring Myanmar of being largely responsible for it. The northeastern state is under President’s rule since February.

Pahalgam attack : Armed forces given "complete operational freedom" on India's response says PM Modi

In a major development in India's ongoing effort to give a fitting reply to the Pahalgam terror attack, which left 26 people dead, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during a high level meeting attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and the chiefs of three services, said that the armed forces have "complete operational freedom" to decide on the mode, targets and timing of India's response to the Pahalgam terror attack, sources said.

Pahalgam attack: Its not the time for politics says J&K BJP

The Jammu and Kashmir BJP on Tuesday slammed those allegedly calling for dialogue with Pakistan and attempting to "rationalise" the terror attack in Pahalgam that left 26 dead, saying this is not the time to play "political games".

“This is not the time for political games. It is the time for national unity. To suggest that terrorists do not see religion is not only misleading but also an affront to the families who lost their loved ones—be they Hindu pilgrims or Kashmiri workers,” BJP spokesperson Dr Abhijeet Jasrotia told reporters here.

Hitting out at selective political leaders of various parties for their "pro-Pakistan" statements, he denounced what he described as "shameful political opportunism" in the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack.

He expressed "deep anguish" over the statements made by leaders from the Congress and other parties.

Former Jammu and Kashmir Congress chief Saifuddin Soz had opposed the move to end the Indus Waters Treaty and said, "If Pakistan says that it is not involved, let us accept that argument".

Jasrotia said, “While the nation mourns and families struggle to cope with unspeakable loss, some political leaders are irresponsibly attempting to deflect attention from the tragedy by peddling misplaced narratives.” He strongly criticised calls for dialogue with Pakistan and attempts to "rationalise" the terror attack.

Calling out what he termed “a betrayal of national sentiment,” he urged the parties to reflect on the pain of the grieving families, instead of offering 'indirect justifications" for terrorism.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh leaves PM's residence after meeting

Andhra Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan accuses Congress leaders of 'supporting Pakistan'

Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan accused a section of Congress leaders for "supporting Pakistan" saying if one has so much affection for Pakistan that person should live in the neighboring country  

Some SP leaders speaking like Pakistani spokespersons, says Yogi Adityanath

Lashing out at Samajwadi Party (SP) leaders remarks on the Pahalgam terror attack Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday said remarks of some SP leaders on the Pahalgam terrorist attack resembled statements made by Pakistan's official spokespersons.

He also criticised an SP office-bearer in Mumbai for making what he called a "shameful" remark.

Addressing a public gathering here, Adityanath referred to the April 22 attack, which claimed 26 lives, and said, "The statements made by SP leaders after the Pahalgam attack are so disgraceful that it is difficult to tell whether they are speaking as SP leaders or as representatives of Pakistan." Referring to Akhilesh Yadav, who was asked during a press conference recently if he would be visiting the Pahalgam attack victim's family in Kanpur, the chief minister said: "When asked why SP leaders hadn't visited the home of Kanpur's Shubham Dwivedi, who was brutally killed in the attack, the party chief reportedly said, 'He was not from our party.' This is an unfortunate and disgraceful statement." He further added, "The entire country is condemning the incident above party lines, while SP leaders are making irresponsible comments..." Adityanath accused the SP and the Congress of engaging in casteist, divisive and appeasement politics, which, he said, puts national security at risk.