Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi abruptly cut short his official visit to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday to return to New Delhi following a deadly militant attack targeting tourists near Pahalgam in Indian-administered Kashmir. The assault, which occurred on Tuesday, resulted in at least 26 civilian deaths and left 17 others injured, marking one of the worst attacks on civilians in the region in years.
Upon arrival, Modi was immediately briefed by National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar. He is scheduled to convene a high-level meeting with senior cabinet ministers responsible for national security and domestic affairs to plan India’s response to the attack.
The attack has prompted a significant security crackdown in Kashmir, with tens of thousands of security personnel deployed to patrol the region, establish additional checkpoints, and conduct searches on vehicles. Former militants have also been brought in for questioning as part of the intensified security operations.
Interior Minister Amit Shah met with families of the victims and the injured in Srinagar, expressing condolences and pledging support. Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also cut short her trip to the US and Peru to return home amid the crisis.
The militant group The Resistance Front (TRF), reportedly an affiliate of the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), claimed responsibility for the attack via social media. The TRF is believed to have emerged following the Indian government’s 2019 decision to revoke the special status of Jammu and Kashmir, a move that intensified tensions in the region.
The attack shocked many, as Pahalgam is a popular tourist destination that had remained relatively peaceful despite decades of conflict. Omar Abdullah, the region’s top elected official, described the assault as “much larger than anything we’ve seen directed at civilians in recent years.”
The incident drew widespread international condemnation. A spokesperson for Pakistan’s foreign ministry expressed concern over the loss of lives and wished the injured a speedy recovery. US Vice President JD Vance, visiting India at the time, along with US President Donald Trump and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, voiced support for the Indian people.
This attack is the deadliest in Kashmir since 2019, when a suicide bombing killed 40 Indian security personnel, an assault claimed by Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) that led to retaliatory strikes by India.
As India ramps up its security measures and diplomatic efforts, the world watches closely amid fears of escalating violence in the disputed Himalayan region.