Pahalgam LIVE: Will hunt down every terrorist involved, says Amit Shah
Citing "cross-border linkages" to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians, India has promised severe punishment to those involved in the strike
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday (May 1) vowed to hunt down each and every terrorist involved in the Pahalgam attack and said all of them will be made answerable for the heinous act.
Shah asserted that the Narendra Modi government will not spare any terrorist. "Whoever has carried out the dastardly attack in Pahalgam, we will not spare anyone. We will hunt down each and every perpetrator," he said at an event in Delhi to unveil a statue of Upendra Nath Brahma, the patriarch of Assam's Bodo community, and name a road after him.
The home minister said the Modi government has been pursuing a zero-tolerance policy against terrorists. "If someone thinks they will escape by carrying out such a cowardly attack, they are wrong. This is Narendra Modi's government. We will not spare anyone," he said.
7th incident in a row
Meanwhile, Pakistani troops continued ceasefire violations along the Line of Control for the seventh consecutive night by their unprovoked firing in several sectors across three border districts of Jammu and Kashmir, and the Indian military responded proportionately, officials said on Thursday (May 1).
The exchange of fire occurred even though the directors general of military operations (DGMOs) of India and Pakistan spoke over the hotline on Tuesday amid rising tensions between the two countries over the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22.
“During the night of April 30-May 1, 2025, Pakistan Army posts initiated unprovoked small arms fire across the Line of Control opposite Kupwara, Uri, and Akhnoor in the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir,” a Defence spokesperson in Jammu said.
Indian Army troops responded swiftly and proportionately, he added.
India closes airspace
Meanwhile, India on Wednesday closed its airspace for Pakistani airlines, a week after Islamabad took a similar step.
On April 24, Pakistan blocked its airspace for Indian airlines, closed the Wagah border crossing, suspended all trade with India, and stated that any attempt to divert water meant for Pakistan under the Indus Waters Treaty would be considered an "act of war."
This came after India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty following the killing of 26 people in the Pahalgam terror attack.
NSAB revamped
The Centre has also revamped the National Security Advisory Board (NSAB) — a move that came amid speculations about India's possible retaliation to the Pahalgam terror attack in view of its cross-border linkages.
It is learnt that former R&AW chief Alok Joshi has been appointed as NSAB chairman. The NSAB is an advisory body that provides inputs to the National Security Council Secretariat.
During a high-level meeting, which was attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and the chiefs of three services, Modi affirmed that it is the national resolve to deal a crushing blow to terrorism, government sources said.
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Live Updates
- 1 May 2025 7:07 PM IST
Don't want people going after Muslims, Kashmirs: Wife of Navy officer killed in Pahalgam
"We don’t want people going after Muslims and Kashmiris,” Himanshi Narwal said on Thursday, stoic but firm as she mourned her husband, Naval officer Lt Vinay Narwal, who was gunned down in Pahalgam just 10 days ago. He would have been 27 today.
Narwal's mother and wife Himanshi broke into tears as tributes were being paid to the Naval officer at a blood donation camp organised in Karnal, the town where he grew up.
“We want peace and justice. People who have done wrong with him should be punished,” said Himanshi, who got married to Lt Narwal just a week before the April 22 terror attack.
The couple was on their honeymoon in Pahalgam when terrorists shot the Naval officer at point blank.
Wiping tears off her face, Himanshi offered floral tributes to her late husband and blew a kiss to his photograph. The Naval officer’s mother also kissed her son’s photo and paid him respect with folded hands.
Narwal's sister, Shristi expressed her gratitude to people who participated in the blood donation camp.
"I want to thank everyone who travelled from far to come here to donate blood. We have been receiving messages too. People have responded enthusiastically (to the blood donation camp). The government has also done a lot," Shristi said.
The camp was organised by Karnal-based NGO National Integrated Forum of Artists and Activists (NIFAA). Various speakers while addressing the gathering said the late officer dedicatedly served his nation while in service and will continue to live in everyone's hearts forever.
"A youth who was supposed to serve the country for many years was snatched away by terrorism. A soldier on the battle ground saves people's life by shedding blood. We are today donating blood in his honour to save people's lives," Chairperson of NIFAA Pritpal Singh Pannu said.
One of the attendees who donated blood at the camp said, “The nation will always be grateful to Narwal for his sacrifice. We can only pay our tributes by donating our blood but nobody can fill the void created by his death.” BJP MLA from Karnal Jagmohan Anand was also present.
Narwal was among the 26 people, mostly tourists, gunned down by terrorists at the Baisaran meadows in Pahalgam on April 22, in one of the worst terror attacks on civilians in Kashmir in the past many years. PTI
- 1 May 2025 6:02 PM IST
Indian farmers complete wheat harvesting along Pak border amid ongoing tension
Indian farmers have completed wheat harvesting in areas adjoining the Pakistan border in the key growing states of Punjab and Rajasthan, government officials said on Thursday.
"Wheat crop has been harvested by now," Food Secretary Sanjeev Chopra said at a press conference when asked about the status of harvesting near the India-Pakistan border, which spans approximately 3,310 kilometres across Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab, and Jammu and Kashmir.
While no separate data on the total wheat quantity harvested from border areas is available, Agriculture Commissioner Praveen Kumar Singh noted that Punjab has a significant area under wheat cultivation near the border compared to other states.
"Farmers have harvested the crop. The yield is better this time," Singh told PTI.
In Rajasthan, wheat cultivation primarily occurs in the Ganganagar district near the border, along with Hanumangarh and Jaisalmer. A Rajasthan government official confirmed that "farmers have fully harvested their crops".
Sources said wheat farmers in these border states were asked to expedite harvesting due to heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, following the deadly attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, on April 22.
The early harvest directive was part of precautionary measures taken by authorities in response to the security situation along the international border. PTI
- 1 May 2025 5:47 PM IST
Pakistan closes Karachi, Lahore airspace temporarily for security reasons
Pakistan has announced the closure of specific portions of Karachi and Lahore Flight Information Regions for a limited time each day during May, citing security concerns, a media report said Thursday.
The announcement by the aviation authorities comes amid heightened tension between Pakistan and Islamabad post the Pahalgam terror attack and Islamabad’s apprehension of retaliatory action by New Delhi.
“The restricted airspace will be closed daily from 4:00 am to 8:00 am local time between May 1 and May 31,” Express Tribune said, quoting an official notice.
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said the closure will not significantly disrupt commercial flight operations, as aircraft will be rerouted via alternative flight paths during the restricted hours, it said. PTI
