Pahalgam terror attack Live Updates: Nawaz Sharif wants Pakistan to defuse tension with India through diplomacy

Actor Ajith condemned the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, expressing his heartbreak and offering prayers for the families of the victims. The attack resulted in the deaths of 26 people, mostly tourists, in the scenic Baisaran Valley of Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag district.

Ajith expressed his hope that such incidents would not recur and urged people to learn to empathise with one another.

"My heart goes out to all the families, and I hope and pray that such things don't happen. I'm sure the government is doing the best that they can. Let's just keep our fingers crossed and pray that somewhere over a period of time, we all learn to empathise with one another and then keep all our differences aside and live as a peaceful society," Ajith told ANI.

As Pakistan’s former prime minister Nawaz Sharif has yet to condemn the Pahalgam terror attack, local media reports suggest he wants diplomatic channels to be used to de-escalate tensions between India and Pakistan. The 75-year-old three-time former Pak PM is the chief of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N). His younger brother, Shehbaz Sharif, is the Prime Minister, while his daughter, Maryam Nawaz, serves as the chief minister of Punjab province.

Neither Nawaz nor Maryam has condemned the Pahalgam terror attack or issued any statement regarding the incident so far.

However, The Express Tribune newspaper, quoting sources in the PML-N, reported: "Nawaz Sharif wants his government to utilise all the available diplomatic resources to restore peace between the two nuclear armed states. Nawaz is not keen on taking an aggressive position."

The report also stated that Shehbaz Sharif briefed Nawaz during a meeting in Lahore on Sunday on the decisions taken by the National Security Committee (NSC) following India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack.

"There is a lot of anger and sadness. Our govt is working, and they (terrorists) will surely be punished. Whatever happened is really sad...The way the people of Kashmir welcome tourists is beyond money and everything else. The love Kashmiris have for us and all the tourists visiting there...The entire country is united after this incident," Actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui tells news agency ANI.

The government's Press Information Bureau (PIB) on Monday flagged that some pro-Pakistan social media accounts are falsely claiming that 'confidential documents' related to the preparedness of the Indian Army have been "leaked". In a post on X, PIB Fact Check dubbed these documents as "fake".

This comes amid heightened tension between New Delhi and Islamabad following last week's terror attack in Pahalgam. On April 22, terrorists shot dead 26 people, mostly tourists, at a meadow in Baisaran of south Kashmir's Pahalgam.

A day after the brazen attack, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, had firmed up New Delhi's retaliatory measures, directed the security forces to maintain "high vigil" and resolved to bring the perpetrators of the crime to justice.

PIB Fact Check in its post on X said, "Pro-Pakistan social media accounts are falsely claiming that confidential documents related to the preparedness of the #IndianArmy have been leaked. #PIBFactCheck These documents are #FAKE Please avoid sharing unverified information and rely only on official sources from the Government of India for accurate information". (PTI)

"At a time when the country is facing such attacks, it is very important to stay united. The opposition also has a big role in this...The country needs to stay united to give a befitting reply to those behind the attacks," Union minister Chirag Paswan tells news agency ANI.

"On the recent attack in Kashmir, China welcomes any measure that helps cool down the situation and supports conducting a just investigation as soon as possible. As the neighbour of both India and Pakistan, China hopes that both sides will exercise restraint, work in the same direction, handle relevant differences properly through dialogue and consultation, and jointly uphold peace and stability in the region," said Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun.

Pakistan's defence minister told news agency Retuers that a military incursion by India was "imminent".

"We have reinforced our forces because it is something which is imminent now. So in that situation some strategic decisions have to be taken, so those decisions have been taken," Asif told Reuters in an interview at his office in Islamabad.

"I think the government has to answer how it will deal with such things but we don't need to be intimidated by these things. We have our own capacity," Congress MP Shashi Tharoor tells PTI on China backing Pakistan.

"Pakistan should be ready to face the consequence now. PM Modi has taken a bold step of suspending Indus Waters treaty, among other diplomatic measures. More than 50 nations have supported India," BJP leader Kalraj Mishra tells ANI on Pahalgam terror attack.

"The bond between India and Israel is unbreakable...It is a bond between people, governments, leaders. What we saw a few days ago in Kashmir is unacceptable...The photos that I saw were heartbreaking...We have to fight in a very determined way against terrorism...If they do something, they (terrorists) will have to pay for it," Consul general of Israel to Midwest India, Kobbi Shoshani tells news agency ANI.

"Pakistan needs to deal with the terrorist activities that they have made in Kashmir...India is playing a very smart role in diplomacy...The terrorists don't want us to live normally," he added.

"Some Congress leaders who have had important positions in the past, senior leaders have expressed some views. The Congress Party has nothing to do with these views. We dissociate ourselves from these views. These are personal views. The views of the Congress are the views expressed in the resolution of the CWC. The views expressed by the Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and LoP Rahul Gandhi in this all party meeting. As the situation evolves in this most sensitive of times, the Congress Working Committee, the Congress President, Lok Sabha LoP will be articulating the party's position," Congress MP Jairam Ramesh tells news agency ANI on the statements of various Congress leaders regarding Pahalgam terrorist attack.

"People irrespective of the religion and the caste across the country are openly condemning the Pahalgam terrorist attack, especially the Muslims are saying that they are with the nation. The terrorists asked the religion, then killed. Since this government came, only Hindu-Muslim is happening, the terrorists knew that with this act, there would be instability in the country. People are saying that Muslims helped. Why all the Muslims are being targeted after the incident? The minister Nitesh Rane asked people to only buy goods after the shopkeepers recites Hanuman Chalisa. Everybody is bent on having polarisation. We have given a memorandum to the government on this issue asking them to act," Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Azmi tells news agency ANI.

"A lot of people from the Press were questioning him about the issue (Indus Water Treaty)...There is no such intention. We are with the government and our armed forces on this issue. Strict decisions should be taken and we will stand with them," Rakesh Tikait tells news agency ANI on Naresh Tikait's statement.

Salman Khan has announced the postponement of his highly anticipated UK tour, 'The Bollywood Big One', following the tragic Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives on April 22.

The superstar took to his Instagram on Monday to share the news, citing the need for a pause in the wake of the tragic event.

The tour, which was scheduled for May 4 and May 5 in Manchester and London, was set to feature some of Bollywood's biggest stars, including Kriti Sanon, Varun Dhawan, Sara Ali Khan, Madhuri Dixit, Tiger Shroff, Disha Patani, Sunil Grover, and Maniesh Paul.

However, the entire show has been postponed to a later date in light of the sombre situation.

In his post, Salman wrote, "In light of the recent tragic events in Kashmir, and with profound sadness, we have taken the difficult decision to postpone The Bollywood Big One shows, originally scheduled for May 4th and 5th in Manchester and London."

"PM Modi has taken many steps, including stopping water going to Pakistan. But BKU President Naresh Tikait has said that the steps taken by the government of India are wrong. He has said that the river water going to Pakistan should not be stopped, as it will affect the farmers. Naresh Tikat has started speaking the language of Pakistan. He should be ashamed. I condemn his statement. He should apologise to the nation," president of BJP Kisan Morcha, Rajkumar Chahar tells ANI on farmer leader Naresh Tikait's statement following Pahalgam terror attack.

"We condemned this attack in the assembly... We also remembered Adil Hussain who lost his life saving the terrorists and all the MLAs had a unanimous voice on this matter... This is credited to the people of Jammu and Kashmir, their protests and their demands to stop these killings... J&K government is united with whatever decision the Union government takes... Whoever is behind this attack should be severely punished," NC MLA Altaf Kaloo tells ANI on on Pahalgam terror attack.

Lok Sabha LoP and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi arrives in the Parliament House Annexe to attend the meeting of the parliamentary standing committee on defence.

Congress leader Saifuddin Soz said, "Every Indian should adopt the line that the Prime Minister has adopted. If Pakistan says that it is not involved. Let us accept that argument for a time and we shall ultimately go by our investigating agencies, and they will know better. India and Pakistan are two neighbours. Neighbourhood cannot be changed whatever you do. Ultimately, what will prevail between India and Pakistan is the dialogue. Dialogue and discussion. No military solution, no arms, no sword. Nothing will work."

Condolences were offered on Monday at the inaugural India-Singapore Futures Forum to the families of the 26 people killed by terrorists in Kashmir's Pahalgam. India's High Commissioner to Singapore Dr Shilpak Ambule informed forum delegates of the "unfortunate and tragic" manner of the killings by terrorists last Tuesday.

"The manner of killing by identifying the religion (of the victims) was something unprecedented," said the envoy.

Joining Ambule in condemning the attack, keynote speaker and Singapore Ambassador at Large Professor Tommy Koh said, "Singapore stands with India in fighting the scourge of terrorism."

Last week, the ministry of foreign affairs (MFA) said, "Singapore strongly condemns the terror attacks in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on Apr 22, 2025, which have claimed many lives."

In his keynote, Professor Koh highlighted the strength of Singapore-India bilateral relations. He also noted a messy transition globally, moving away from free trade and open economics and shifting towards protectionism and economic nationalism.

The BJP on Monday questioned Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi over the comments of several Congress leaders questioning the need for war with Pakistan and the Pahalgan terror attack victims' account that terrorists marked out non-Muslims, asking if their call for national unity was merely a formality. Former Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad named a number of Congress leaders, including Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, senior Maharashtra leader Vijay Wadettiwar, Karnataka minister R B Timmapur and Gandhi's brother-in-law Robert Vadra, for their controversial comments to target the opposition party's leadership.

"Do Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge have no control over their party? Or both of them made pro forma comments while letting others the freedom to speak as they wished," he said, adding that their remarks are being used in Pakistan, including by its media, to defame India.

When the world is with India after the terror strike, be it the US, France or Saudi Arabia, these leaders are making such shameless and irresponsible remarks, he said.

It is the height of insensitivity, he said, adding that the likes of Wadettiwar and Timmapur have questioned the account of some of the victims that terrorists identified non-Muslims before shooting them dead.

Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday hit out at senior Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar over the latter's "do terrorists have time to ask for religion" remarks and said that such statements "add insult to injury" for the family members of the victims, who were killed in Pahalgam terror attack.

"Such statements add insult to injury for those who have lost their relatives. We all have seen what the family members of the victims have said. They were killed before them, and they have said this," Fadnavis told reporters here.

His reaction comes after Waddetiwar on Monday questioned the version of the victims, who had said that the terrorists asked them their religion before opening fire.

Speaking about the upcoming bullet train project, the Maharashtra CM stated that the work on it was likely to be completed by the end of 2028. He said that the delay in the project happened as the previous Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government decided to halt it.

"The works for the bullet train could be completed by the end of 2028, as it was being carried out rapidly. The bullet train works were delayed for 2.5 years due to the previous Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government, as they had made a decision to halt them. However, with the new government coming to power, we have approved permission for the bullet train. We hope to finish it within the new timeline," Fadnavis said.

The family members of Prashant Satpathy, a victim of the Pahalgam terror attack, on Monday strongly denounced the crowdfunding campaign allegedly being carried out in the name of helping his wife and son. The victim's family has lodged a complaint with the Cyber Crime and Economic Offence police station in Balasore, stating that some people have started a fake fundraising campaign on social media platforms and are collecting money in the name of helping them.

"We have not given any consent to anyone for crowdfunding. We don't need money from the public, but seek their good wishes and blessings for my departed husband. We don't know the intention behind crowdfunding, but I appeal to all to stop the drive," Satpathy's wife Priya Darshani Achariya told reporters.

Prashant (41), an employee of CIPET, Balasore, was one of the 26 people killed in the Pahalgam attack on April 22.

Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah on Monday affirmed that he won't be demanding statehood for Jammu and Kashmir in the name of the 26 people who have died in Pahalgam's terror attack on April 22.

Addressing a special session at the J&K legislative assembly, the J&K CM questioned if his politics were "so cheap" that he would demand statehood on the back of such an attack.

He, however, stated that he would still demand statehood for the region, but not at this very moment when the country still mourns the loss of the 26 people.

"I will not use this moment to demand statehood. After Pahalgam, with what face can I ask for statehood for Jammu and Kashmir? Meri kya itni sasti siyasat hai? We have talked about statehood in the past and will do so in the future too, but it will be shameful on my part if I go and tell the central government that 26 people have died; now give me statehood," Abdullah said.

An emotional Abdullah said that he did not know how he should apologise to the families of the victims of the attack.

"I did not know how to apologise to the families of the deceased... As the host, it was my duty to ensure the tourists returned safely. I couldn't do it. I do not have the words to seek an apology... What should I say to those children who lost their father and to a wife who lost her husband, who got married a few days back? They asked what was our fault; we just came for the holidays... Whoever did this says they did it for us, but I want to ask: Did we approve it? Did we tell them to do this? We are not in support of this attack," he said

AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi hit out at Pakistan on Monday, saying that whether it is the country's intelligence agency ISI, the terrorist organisation ISIS, or the Pakistani establishment, all these groups want to see fighting between Hindus and Muslims, which is the reason the terror attack in Pahalgam was carried out.

"Whether it is ISI or ISIS, or the deep state, the establishment in Pakistan wants that in this country, there will always be fighting between Hindus and Muslims. That is why they did this (Pahalgam). The agenda of killing non-muslims, our brothers and sisters, was only one as they wanted to say that no non-muslim can come here," Owaisi said during a press conference in Maharashtra's Chhatrapati Shambhaji Nagar district.

He said that he will start demanding from the government that Pakistan should be put back in the grey list of the Financial Action Task Force, which identifies countries with deficiencies in countering money laundering or anti-terrorism activity. He further said that we can also do a cyber attack on Pakistan or do a naval or air blockade.

"My demand is that it is necessary to bring Pakistan in the FATF grey list, the Financial Action Task Force, bring them to the grey list. They are funding terrorism from illegal money. So this is important to bring Pakistan in the grey list. We will demand this from this government. We should also do a cyber attack on them, we have ethical hackers, we can also do a naval and air force blockade," Owasi said

Deputy CM Surinder Choudhary said, "This House unequivocally condemns the heinous, cowardly act that resulted in the loss of innocent lives. This House stands in full solidarity with the victims and their families. This House salutes the supreme sacrifice of Shaheed Syed Adil Hussain Shah, who, while bravely attempting to save tourists, laid down his life..."

BJP MP Nishikant Dubey has raised concerns about what he describes as a "new face of Pakistani terrorism", claiming that more than five lakh Pakistani women have entered India through marriages.

In a social media post on X, Dubey said that the girls are yet to receive their Indian citizenship.

"A new face of Pakistani terrorism has now emerged. More than 5 lakh Pakistani girls are living in India after getting married, and they have not been granted Indian citizenship yet," Dubey said.

According to government sources, on the recommendations of the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Government of India has banned the 16 Pakistani YouTube channels including Dawn News, Samaa TV, Ary News, Geo News for disseminating provocative and communally sensitive content, false and misleading narratives and misinformation against India, its Army and security agencies in the backdrop of the tragic Pahalgam terror incident in Jammu and Kashmir

According to TV reports, defence minister Rajnath Sigh will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi at 11am. National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval will also be a part of the meeting.

Rakesh Wazir, president of the Hotel and Restaurant Association in Katra, on Monday said that the deadly Pahalgam terrorist attack has "significantly" impacted the influx of tourists and bookings even in the Union territory of Jammu. He said that at least 35 per cent of bookings have been cancelled.

"The Pahalgam terrorist attack has had a significant impact on the entire booking. Bookings are getting cancelled continuously. According to our assessment, about 35 to 37 per cent of bookings have been cancelled so far. The number of people in the yatra has been reduced to merely 20,000 to 22,000 from 45,000," Wazir told ANI.

Appealing to people that the situation was never disturbed in places like Katra, he said that the notion that people have about the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir needs to change.

"I appeal to people that the situation in Katra, in particular, was never disturbed before, nor is it today. The place where this happened is also very far away. And if we talk about the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, the entire situation here is fine. There is a need to change the notion people have," Wazir added.

In the aftermath of the tragic terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22, actor Atul Kulkarni made the decision to visit Kashmir to show solidarity with the region and its people.

Deeply shaken by the attack that claimed the lives of 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen, as well as the fear it instilled among tourists, Kulkarni felt compelled to travel to the area in person.

Speaking with ANI, Kulkarni expressed his sorrow over the incident. "What happened on the 22nd was a very tragic event; this should not have happened. The entire country is deeply saddened," Kulkarni said.

He shared that, like many others, his first instinct was to express his concerns online, but he soon realized that meaningful action was needed.

"Whenever something like this happens, we post on social media, talk to friends, or write something. But then I thought, what can I actually do in real action?" he reflected.

Kulkarni's decision to visit Kashmir was largely motivated by reports that 90 percent of tourist bookings in the region had been canceled in the wake of the attack.

"I thought, this is the message the terrorists want to send—‘Don’t come to our Kashmir.’ But this will not happen. This is our Kashmir, this is our country. We will come, and we will not listen to them. I felt I couldn’t convey this message from Mumbai. I should come here and tell people, ‘Brother, I have come; you should come too,’" he said, stressing that he couldn't deliver this message while being distant from the region.

Businessman Robert Vadra on Monday clarified his recent comments regarding the Pahalgam terror attack, stating that his remarks had been "misinterpreted" and emphasizing that it was his responsibility to provide clarification.

Vadra further expressed his strong condemnation of the attack and reiterated his unwavering support for India.

In a Facebook post, he wrote, “Since my intentions have been misinterpreted, I feel it is my responsibility to clarify them.”

“I am committed to being honest, transparent, and respectful in this clarification. I chose to remain silent for a few days, but this should not be seen as silence, indifference, or a lack of patriotism,” he added.

Vadra explained, “In fact, it is due to my deep love for my country, my respect for the truth, and my commitment to integrity that I took the time to reflect before speaking.”

“Silence is the stage where responsibility grows, emotions subside, and words can be chosen with care rather than impulsivity,” he concluded.

A man has been arrested for allegedly impersonating a registered porter, offering services on the route of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine, police officials confirmed.

According to the Police Station Bhawan, located at Vaishno Devi, the accused has been identified as Mast Ali, son of Nazir Ahmed and a resident of Harot Kot village in Surjan Dhar, Reasi district.

He was caught posing as a "Pithu (porter)," which the police said violated the orders issued by the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) office. Ali was operating without a valid registration or service card, which is a mandated requirement to provide any kind of service related to a porter, palki, or pony.

The United States on Sunday called on India and Pakistan to pursue a "responsible solution" amid rising tensions between the two nations following the deadly April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam.

“This is an evolving situation, and we are monitoring developments closely. We have been in contact with the governments of both India and Pakistan at multiple levels,” a U.S. State Department spokesperson said in an emailed statement to Reuters.

The spokesperson added, “The United States encourages all parties to work together toward a responsible resolution,” while reaffirming Washington’s support for India and condemning the attack. “We stand with India and strongly condemn the terrorist attack in Pahalgam,” the statement said.

These remarks align with recent comments from President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance, both of whom have expressed solidarity with India and urged restraint on all sides.

In the shadow of Washington, DC's iconic monuments, a community gathers in grief. Heads bowed, flowers clutched in trembling hands, they walk in a silent procession, a solemn testament to lives violently cut short half a world away in a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam.

"We came with heavy hearts today," whispers Priya, a resident from the DMV, her voice breaking as she holds aloft a photograph of one of the victims and reminisces about the dark days when Kashmiri Hindus like her were asked to leave the Kashmiri valley.

The DMV refers to the metropolitan area encompassing the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia, also known as the National Capital Region.

According to Indian Army, during the night of 27-28 April 2025, Pakistan Army posts initiated unprovoked small arms fire across the Line of Control in areas opposite Kupwara and Poonch districts. Indian troops responded swiftly and effectively