Prime Minister Narendra Modi will cut short his Saudi Arabia trip and leave for India tonight, say government sources, after a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam claimed 26 lives, which authorities say is the worst attack on civilians in years.
He was originally scheduled to return to India on Wednesday night.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and National Security Adviser Doval visited the Royal Palace earlier to brief the Saudi leadership on the sudden change in plans, sources said.
The Prime Minister, said sources, is expected to chair a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security in Delhi on Wednesday to address the escalating situation in Kashmir.
US President Donald Trump will speak to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the terrorist attack to express his condolences for those who lost their lives and offer support to India, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said.
Earlier, US President Donald Trump condemned the attack on tourists and expressed solidarity with India.
Sharing a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump wrote, “Deeply disturbing news out of Kashmir. The United States stands strong with India against Terrorism. We pray for the souls of those lost, and for the recovery of the injured.”
“Prime Minister Modi and the incredible people of India have our full support and deepest sympathies. Our hearts are with you all!” he added.
The killings come a day after PM Modi met with US Vice President JD Vance, who is on a four-day tour of India with his wife Usha and children.
Terrorists opened fire at a famed meadow near Kashmir’s Pahalgam town, dubbed “mini Switzerland” and about 90 km from key city of Srinagar, and started firing at tourists milling around eateries, taking pony rides or picnicking, officials and witnesses said.
With the area accessible only by foot or horses, choppers were deployed to evacuate the injured. The families of those killed and injured were taken to the government-owned Pahalgam Club under tight security.
Earlier in the day, as news of the attack spread, the Prime Minister dialled Home Minister Amit Shah and asked him to visit the Union Territory.
Amit Shah landed in Srinagar a little after 9 pm and drove straight to the Raj Bhavan from the airport.
Director General of Jammu and Kashmir Police Nalin Prabhat briefed the home minister upon his arrival. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan and Director of Intelligence Bureau Tapan Deka were present at the time of the briefing.
In the afternoon, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said that “the attack is much larger than anything we’ve seen directed at civilians in recent years”.
“This attack on our visitors is an abomination,” he said in a statement. “The perpetrators of this attack are animals, inhuman and worthy of contempt.”
