Pahalgam terror attack news live updates: Omar Abdullah meets PM Modi to discuss J&K situation

Pahalgam attack news live updates: The Warehouse Traders Federation has welcomed the Centre’s move to impose a complete ban on both direct and indirect trade with Pakistan.

Federation president Deepak Gupta told ANI, “We appealed to the government to completely ban the trade with Pakistan…The government has supported us. The businessmen there are not happy with this decision. Most of the consumers of their dry fruit industry are in India. It will be a significant loss to Pakistan…”

The Indian government has announced an immediate halt on all imports from Pakistan, citing national security and public policy concerns in the wake of the April terror attack in Pahalgam.

While direct trade between the two nations had already been stalled since 2019—when India slapped a 200% duty on Pakistani goods after the Pulwama attack—the new order also blocks imports coming via third countries.

Pahalgam attack news live updates: The intelligence bureau (IB) and other agencies alerted local security officers in Jammu and Kashmir about the possibility of an attack targeting tourists, but around the time of the Prime Minister’s scheduled visit to the union territory (UT) on April 19, and in Srinagar, people familiar with the matter said.

HT learns that in response, security was enhanced in and around Srinagar, including near several hotels popular with tourists, and also at tourist hotspots such as Dachigam National Park, 22 km away from the city.

Pahalgam attack news live updates: A 50-year-old Pakistani woman, her son, and a two-year-old grandson were detained for living illegally in Gujarat’s Rajkot district, news agency PTI reported, citing police on Saturday.

The woman and her son had been residing in India for over 25 years, while the child was born to the son’s Indian wife, officials added.

The Rajkot Rural Local Crime Branch had recently received information about some Pakistani nationals living illegally in Lodhika taluka and began an investigation. Authorities have intensified their crackdown on Pakistani nationals residing illegally in India following the April 22 Pahalgam terrorist attack.

Pahalgam attack news live updates: While speaking to news agency ANI in Jammu and Kashmir, National Conference president Farooq Abdullah commented on India’s stance towards Pakistan and the Indus Waters Treaty.

Referring to the treaty and regional tensions, Abdullah said, “…India is the nation of Gandhi, we have threatened them (Pakistan) that we will stop the water, but we will not kill them. We are not as cruel as they are…”

On the impact of the Indus Waters Treaty on Jammu and Kashmir, he added, “When the Indus Waters Treaty was signed, the people of J&K were not taken into confidence. Due to its treaty, J&K has suffered the biggest loss. I appeal to the government of India to work on a scheme to bring that water to the people of Jammu…”

Pahalgam attack news live updates: Ahead of a key IMF review scheduled for next week, Pakistan has criticised India’s announcement to request a reassessment of its financial assistance programme by the global lender, calling the move “politically motivated” in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack.

According to The Express Tribune, which cited official sources on Saturday, Islamabad views India’s push at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as part of a broader political effort to diplomatically isolate Pakistan.

The IMF Executive Board is set to meet Pakistani officials on May 9 to conduct the first review under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) and to consider Pakistan’s request for support under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility.

On Friday, India announced that it would urge global financial institutions, including the IMF, to revisit the financial assistance being extended to Pakistan, as part of its diplomatic response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that claimed the lives of 26 tourists.

Pahalgam attack news live updates: Jammu and Kashmir National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Saturday visited tourists in Pahalgam and reaffirmed that Kashmir has always been and will remain an integral part of India.

While speaking to reporters in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack, Abdullah said the most important takeaway is that tourists are “not scared.”

“The people who wanted to spread fear have lost. They (terrorists) have lost. It has been proven today that we are not going to get scared. Kashmir was and will always be a part of India. People want terrorism to finish. It has been 35 years since we have seen terrorism; we want progress. We want to move forward. We will become a superpower one day,” he added.

Pahalgam attack news live updates: National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah on Saturday called on the people of Jammu and Kashmir to stand up against those responsible for attacks like the one in Pahalgam, saying that progress and prosperity are only possible by confronting such forces. He condemned the perpetrators of the April 22 massacre, declaring they would “rot in hell.”

The former chief minister visited the home of Adil Hussain Shah, a pony ride operator who was among the 26 victims of the attack, in Hapatnaar, located in south Kashmir.

“He (Shah) is a martyr. He sacrificed his life, he was not afraid of the guns of the beasts. This is ‘insaniyat (humanity)’, this is Kashmiriyat. One who is afraid is dead,” Abdullah said.

He further urged people to face terrorism with bravery: “We have to fight them (terrorists) and fight them with courage. We will never be happy and prosperous and we can never move forward until we fight them. So, we must have courage.”

Pahalgam attack news live updates: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is expected to skip Russia’s Victory Day parade, with minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth likely to attend the event in Moscow on India’s behalf, news agency PTI reported on Saturday, citing official sources.

The decision to send Seth to the May 9 ceremony comes at a time of heightened tensions between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack.

Although Russia had extended an invitation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the parade commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany, it was later decided that Rajnath Singh would represent India. However, sources, according to PTI, have now confirmed that Seth will attend the event instead.

Pahalgam attack news live updates: The BJP on Saturday accused the Congress of continuously providing “oxygen” to Pakistan and criticised the opposition party for the comments made by its leader Charanjit Singh Channi, who questioned the authenticity of the Balakot air strikes following the 2019 Pulwama terror attack.

BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra, during a press conference, said, “Inside it is the Congress Working Committee but outside it acts like Pakistan Working Committee.”

Patra pointed out that it has become a trend for Congress to present a unified resolution, while its leaders express conflicting views.

He further alleged that the Congress is filled with pro-Pakistan leaders who make statements contrary to India’s interests, and mocked the party for issuing a letter instructing its members to follow the official stance on the matter.

Pahalgam attack news live updates: PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday praised Himanshi, the widow of Lt Vinay Narwal, who was killed in the Pahalgam terror attack, for her call for communal harmony, stating that the nation should take inspiration from her. Referring to Himanshi Narwal’s comment, “I don’t want people going after Muslims and Kashmiris,” Mehbooba criticised National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah for his statement to the media, suggesting that such attacks, like the one on April 22 in Pahalgam, cannot occur without some form of support.

Pahalgam attack news live updates: The Government of India has suspended the exchange of all types of inbound mail and parcels from Pakistan via both air and surface routes, according to an order issued by the ministry of communications on Saturday, amid escalating tensions between the two countries following the Pahalgam terror attack.

Pahalgam attack news live updates: The ministry of ports, shipping and waterways has announced that ships flying the Pakistan flag will not be permitted to dock at any Indian port, and Indian-flagged vessels will also be barred from visiting ports in Pakistan, news agency ANI reported citing a government order.

Pahalgam attack news live updates: Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) chief Farooq Abdullah visited tourists in Pahalgam on Saturday.

He said, “The biggest message is that the tourists are not scared. The people who wanted to spread fear have lost. They (terrorists) have lost. It has been proven today that we are not going to get scared. Kashmir was and will always be a part of India. People want terrorism to finish. It has been 35 years since we have seen terrorism; we want progress. We want to move forward. We will become a superpower one day…”

Pahalgam attack news live updates: Amid rising tensions along the Pakistan-occupied Line of Control, residents of Chakothi village have reinforced shelters near their homes for protection.

Faizan Anayat, a Chakothi resident, says, “When there’s a war, we’ll save our families in the bunkers we’ve built. We’re with the army (Pakistan), and our families are safe here. We enter the bunkers and protect ourselves.”

Residents of Tanot village, just 20 km from the LoC, in Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer, said the region lacks essential services and expressed concern about the terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam.

“I have lived here for 50 years. We had to leave for Ramgarh during the war, but returned. Even now, the government hasn’t provided much support. In Pahalgam, innocent people are being killed – even BSF jawans are not spared. Pakistan refuses to attend flag meetings and is acting on its own terms,” said Basru Ram, a long-time resident.

PM Narendra Modi on Saturday held a bilateral meeting with Angola President Lourenco at the Hyderabad House in New Delhi.

“We are committed to taking firm and decisive action against terrorists and those who support them. We thanked Angola for their support in our fight against cross-border terrorism,” PM Modi said.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Saturday criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for attending the WAVES Summit in Mumbai and campaigning in Bihar and said it does not reflect the seriousness of someone preparing to retaliate against Pakistan.

“A big massacre took place in Kashmir. Our Prime Minister said Pakistan will be taught a lesson, but just days later, he was in Mumbai, spending nine hours with Bollywood celebrities. He also campaigned in Bihar and inaugurated a port belonging to Gautam Adani (in Kerala),” Raut said.

The Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways has banned Pakistani-flagged ships from entering Indian ports and prohibited Indian-flagged vessels from visiting ports in Pakistan. The restrictions, effective immediately, have been imposed under Section 411 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958, to safeguard Indian assets, cargo, and port infrastructure. Read more

Indian diplomatic missions in Shanghai and Guangzhou held condolence meetings to pay tribute to the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack.

Members of the Indian community joined consulate officials to share their sorrow and offer heartfelt sympathy to the families of those who lost their lives.

At the Consulate General of India in Shanghai, Consul General Pratik Mathur, along with consulate officers, staff, friends of India, and members of the Indian diaspora, led the gathering in expressing their condolences.

The commerce ministry has banned all direct and indirect imports from Pakistan in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack.

A notification dated May 2 said a provision in this regard has been added in the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2023 “to prohibit direct or indirect import or transit of all goods originating in or exported from Pakistan with immediate effect until further orders.” Read more here

Responding to a Pakistan Minister who said their missiles are targeted towards India, Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said India’s missiles will teach them a lesson at the right time.

“They will get answers automatically when the time will come. These Ghauri, Ghaznavi, Mehmood were always there. They returned after getting hurt here many times. When we did the air strikes, they were there. Our ancestors had taught them lesson, if the time comes, our Agni, Brahmos, will answer them properly as well,” the minister said.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said one more person from the state was arrested for allegedly ‘defending’ Pakistan over the Pahalgam terror attack.

“All these anti-nationals will be dealt with firmly by Assam police,” Sarma wrote on X.

With the arrest of Amar Ali from Dhubri, the total number of such cases rises to 37. Earlier, AIUDF MLA Aminul Islam was arrested on sedition charges for allegedly “defending” Pakistan.

Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Sambit Patra on Friday launched a scathing attack on the Congress, accusing the party of undermining national security and echoing narratives allegedly favourable to Pakistan.

Patra’s remark comes after former Punjab CM Charanjit Singh Channi questioned the veracity of claims the Centre made after the 2019 “surgical strikes” Read more here

Ten people from Mendhar town of Poonch district in J&K who were sent back from the Attari border three days ago have been allowed to stay in their homes after a decision by the Jammu and Kashmir High Court. These individuals, who have been living in Mendhar for over 40 years, thanked the Indian government for letting them remain in India.

One of the residents said, “We thank the government of India for this. We were all brought back. Our only request to the government is for it to let us live as we used to. I thank PM Modi and Amit Shah. We condemn the Pahalgam attack. Such incidents should not happen, and those behind them should get the strictest punishment.”

Abdul Wahid, a tourist from Hyderabad, said the security situation in Kashmir is fine and urged people not to worry about safety.

“There is nothing to worry about. The weather is also very good. Families should come here and encourage tourism. The people of Kashmir and Srinagar are very good. There is no problem here,” Wahid said.