Pahalgam terror attack: PM Modi speaks to Home Minister Amit Shah, asks him to take suitable action

PM Modi asked the Home Minister to visit the site of the attack in south Kashmir`s Anantnag district to assess the situation personally. File pic

Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi on Tuesday held a telephonic conversation with Union Home Minister Amit Shah following the terrorist attack on tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, and directed him to take all necessary measures in response to the incident.

PM Modi, official sources said, has asked Shah to visit the Union Territory, PTI reported.

IN PHOTOS: Security beefed up after terror attack targets tourists in J&K`s Pahalgam

1 week agoPHOTO GALLERY

Terrorists struck the prime tourist location of Pahalgham in south Kashmir's Anantnag district on Tuesday, killing multiple people and injuring at least 20.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has said the death toll is being ascertained. "This attack is much larger than anything we've seen directed at civilians in recent years," reported PTI.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday vowed to come down heavily on the perpetrators of the terror attack on tourists in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam and said he was heading to Srinagar, where he would review the security situation with all agencies.

Home Minister Amit Shah stated that he briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi, currently in Saudi Arabia, about Pahalgam terror attack, and subsequently held a video conference with key officials to review the situation.

"Anguished by the terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. My thoughts are with the family members of the deceased. Those involved in this dastardly act of terror will not be spared, and we will come down heavily on the perpetrators with the harshest consequences," Shah stated in a post on X, reported PTI.

"Briefed PM Shri @narendramodi Ji about the incident and held a meeting with the concerned officials via video conferencing. Will shortly leave for Srinagar to hold an urgent security review meeting with all the agencies," Shah wrote on 'X'.

The incident occurred around 3 pm when terrorists came down from the mountain in Baisaran Valley and started firing at the tourists, PTI reported.

A purported video of the site of the Pahalgam terror attack emerged, showing several people bleeding and lying motionless on the ground while women tourists were wailing and frantically looking for their near and dear ones. No independent official verification was available.

The incident comes when Kashmir is witnessing a surge in tourist arrivals after reeling under militancy for years. Also, the 38-day Amarnath pilgrimage is scheduled to begin on July 3.

Authorities pressed a chopper into service for the evacuation of the injured persons, the officials said, adding some of the injured were brought down from the meadows by locals on their ponies.

(With PTI inpus)