Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Wednesday, said he had spoken with Union Home Minister Amit Shah to get an update on the situation following the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed the lives of several innocent tourists.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Gandhi confirmed that he also spoke with Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and J&K Pradesh Congress Committee President Tariq Karra to assess the ground situation and extend support.
“Spoke with HM Amit Shah, J&K CM Omar Abdullah, and J&K PCC President Tariq Karra about the horrific Pahalgam terror attack. Received an update on the situation. The families of victims deserve justice and our fullest support,” Gandhi posted.
The attack in Pahalgam, located in Anantnag district, has drawn national outrage and united political voices across party lines. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman have both cut short their foreign visits—Saudi Arabia and the US/Peru respectively—in light of the incident.
Multiple political parties across Jammu and Kashmir supported a Kashmir Bandh on Wednesday as a mark of respect for the victims and condemnation of the attack. The shutdown saw wide participation from local communities and civic groups.
The heinous act, which targeted tourists, has been widely condemned across the country. In Pahalgam, local taxi drivers staged a candlelight protest march. Similar marches were held in Baramulla, Srinagar, Poonch, Kupwara, Akhnoor, and other parts of the Union Territory. In Jammu, Bajrang Dal workers also held protests against the terror incident.
According to a statement from Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde, five tourists from Maharashtra were among those killed in the attack. He has urged the Union Civil Aviation Ministry to arrange a special flight for stranded tourists, a request that is currently being processed.
Earlier, PM Modi condemned the terror strike, calling it a “heinous act” and assuring that the culprits will be brought to justice. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who chaired a high-level security meeting and reached Srinagar for a review, echoed the Prime Minister’s sentiments, stating that those responsible will not be spared.
Meanwhile, the Indian Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police have launched a search operation in the Baisran area of Pahalgam to apprehend the attackers. In Delhi, security has been heightened at key tourist and public locations as a precautionary measure.