Latest news with #Lashkar-linked
News18
25-06-2025
- Politics
- News18
No Locals Were Involved In Pahalgam Terror Attack, Says CM Omar Abdullah
Last Updated: His statement came days after the National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested two locals---Parvaiz Ahmad Jothar and Bashir Ahmad Jothar--- for allegedly harbouring the terrorists. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday said that there is no local involvement in the April 22's Pahalgam terror attack which claimed the lives of 26 individuals, mostly tourists. He further said that those who allegedly provided shelter to terrorists 'probably did so under duress." 'There was no local involvement in the Pahalgam incident. The people who shot and killed those 26 persons were all outsiders," Abdullah said during an inauguration event in Gulmarg on Tuesday. His statement came days after the National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested two locals—Parvaiz Ahmad Jothar and Bashir Ahmad Jothar— for allegedly harbouring the terrorists in Pahalgam's Hill Park area. 'According to the NIA investigation, two locals have been arrested for assisting them, possibly by providing food, though coercion cannot be ruled out. Let the investigation proceed," Abdullah added. He further emphasised that the ongoing NIA probe would determine further details, with legal proceedings to follow. The Chief Minister further urged the probe agency 'not to draw sweeping conclusions." 'We must not allow the actions of a few foreign militants to paint our people as collaborators," Abdullah said. Meanwhile, the NIA said that both the arrested suspects knew about the terror affiliations of the three gunmen and despite that provided them with shelter, food and logistical support in the days leading up to the April 22 attack. The duo has also disclosed the identities of the three terrorists and have also confirmed that they were Pakistani nationals affiliated to the proscribed terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). A local court in Jammu on Monday granted the NIA five-day remand of the two the accused who were arrested. Pahalgam Terror Attack In one of the biggest attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, Lashkar-linked terrorists opened fire on a group of tourists in Pahalgam on Tuesday, April 22, killing at least 26 people, including foreign tourists, and injuring many others. The Resistance Front (TRF), a Lashkar offshoot, claimed responsibility for the attack, although it later backtracked after massive global outrage. India responded with Operation Sindoor on May 7, bombing nine terrorist camps across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in pre-dawn strikes that killed at least 100 militants. The operation sparked four days of cross-border fighting involving fighter jets, missiles and artillery. First Published: June 25, 2025, 08:10 IST
News18
28-05-2025
- Politics
- News18
Singaporean Woman, Who Narrowly Escaped Phalagam Attack, Sends Message To PM Modi
Last Updated: Vaishali Bhatt and her husband had left the Pahalgam's Baisaran meadows, just an hour and a half before the terrorists gunned down the tourists on April 22. An Indian origin Singaporean woman narrowly escaped horrific terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam last month. The woman, Vaishali Bhatt and her husband had left the Pahalgam's Baisaran meadows, just an hour and a half before the terrorists gunned down the tourists on April 22. Deeply affected by the tragedy, Bhatt initially felt frustrated by the perceived lack of immediate action against terrorism. However, her sentiments shifted dramatically upon hearing about 'Operation Sindoor" on the morning of May 7. During a conversation with BJP MP Hemang Joshi, who was in Singapore as part of an all-party delegation conveying India's firm stance against terrorists, Bhatt conveyed her gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, specifically acknowledging the operation's meaningful name, 'Sindoor." Bhatt said that the 'Sindoor' name of the operation deeply resonated with her, symbolising protection, faith, and the sacred bond that Operation Sindoor meant for countless families who lost their relatives in the ghastly attack. 'I was in Pahalgam on (April) 22nd and had a narrow escape. I used to read the newspaper every morning, hoping that the government would act. And the lack of action (in the initial phase) left me frustrated. But on May 7, when I read about Operation Sindoor being carried out, I cried uncontrollably. It meant a lot to me. The 'Sindoor' name was apt. No one else could have done it," she said in a video message. In one of the biggest attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, Lashkar-linked terrorists opened fire on a group of tourists in Pahalgam on Tuesday, April 22, killing at least 26 people, including foreign tourists, and injuring many others. The Resistance Front (TRF), a Lashkar offshoot, claimed responsibility for the attack, although it later backtracked after massive global outrage. After the attack, the diplomatic ties between India and Pakistan were downgraded with New Delhi announcing several punitive measures, including suspension of Indus Water Treaty, cutting Islamabad Mission strength, closing its airspace for Pakistani airlines and expulsion of its military attaches. Operation Sindoor India launched 'precision strikes" under Operation Sindoor on nine terror targets in Pakistan and PoK following the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians. The strikes killed over 100 terrorists including 10 family members of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar and four close aides. Targets included Jaish's Markaz Subhan Allah in Bahawalpur, Sarjal camp in Tehra Kalan, Markaz Abbas in Kotli, and the Syedna Bilal camp in Muzaffarabad. Lashkar's strongholds — Markaz Taiba in Murdike, Markaz Ahle Hadith in Barnala, and Shwawai Nalla camp in Muzaffarabad — were also hit. Hizbul Mujahideen's facilities at Makaz Raheel Shahid in Kotli and Mehmoona Joya in Sialkot were among those targeted. First Published: May 28, 2025, 19:03 IST
News18
27-05-2025
- Politics
- News18
Jammu And Kashmir CM Omar Abdullah Announces Memorial For Pahalgam Attack Victims
Last Updated: Omar Abdullah said that suggestions would be sought to ensure that the memorial is not only magnificent but also dignified and respectful. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday announced to built a memorial in Pahalgam's Baisaran meadows to commemorate the 26 individuals who lost their their lives in April 22's terror attack. 'We have been discussing this from day one — a memorial will be set up in Baisaran for the 26 innocent lives lost, as a lasting tribute and a reminder that they will never be forgotten," the Chief Minister said. While addressing a gathering of tour and travel operators, Abdullah emphasised the importance of reviving the declining tourism in the erstwhile state. 'In today's cabinet meeting, the Public Works Department was authorised to grant in- principle approval for this memorial," he added. He further said that suggestions would be sought to ensure that the memorial is not only magnificent but also dignified and respectful. Earlier, Abdullah convened a special cabinet meeting in Pahalgam, a symbolic gesture aimed at projecting defiance against terror and a steadfast commitment to the region's development. In his first press conference since the April 22 terror attack in Baisaran meadows, Abdullah said that tourism should be 'conflict-neutral" and not serve as a gauge for normalcy. The choice of Pahalgam for holding a special cabinet meeting aims to show solidarity with the residents of the tourist town, which has experienced a sharp decline in tourist footfall since the devastating April 22 terror attack. Abdullah also focused on the complex governance structure in Jammu and Kashmir, particularly in the context of security and tourism revival and said that 'there is a strange system in JK as tourism is my responsibility, but security is not my responsibility. Earlier, an advocacy group and non governmental organisation (NGO), People's Action, had written to the Chief Minister to consider setting up a memorial to honour the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack. In a statement, the group had said, 'People's Action has reminded CM Abdullah of a proposal it submitted on May 2, seeking to commemorate the victims of the Pahalgam massacre at Baisaran Valley." In the letter, the NGO had emphasised the need for India to acknowledge the loss of innocent lives and to create a memorial that serves as a reminder of the region's long-standing struggles with terrorism and religious persecution. 'We are hopeful that the Chief Minister will lead this effort to bring closure to a tragic incident that deeply impacted many lives," Sanjay Kaul, founder of People's Action had said as quoted by news agency PTI. Pahalgam Terror Attack In one of the biggest attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, Lashkar-linked terrorists opened fire on a group of tourists in Pahalgam on Tuesday, April 22, killing at least 26 people, including foreign tourists, and injuring many others. The Resistance Front (TRF), a Lashkar offshoot, claimed responsibility for the attack, although it later backtracked after massive global outrage. After the attack, the diplomatic ties between India and Pakistan were downgraded with New Delhi announcing several punitive measures, including suspension of Indus Water Treaty, cutting Islamabad Mission strength, closing its airspace for Pakistani airlines and expulsion of its military attaches. (With inputs from bureau, agencies) First Published: May 27, 2025, 21:26 IST
News18
23-05-2025
- Politics
- News18
'Most Notorious Terrorists Operating In Broad Daylight': Jaishankar's Big Swipe At Pakistan
Last Updated: Jaishankar rejected the notion that Pakistan was unaware of the terrorism on its soil and said most notorious terrorists were operating from there in broad daylight. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar delivered a scathing remark on Pakistan's military establishment, saying it was involved 'up to its neck" in cross-border terrorism and backed notorious terrorist organisations. In an interview with Dutch newspaper De Volkskrant on Thursday, Jaishankar rejected the notion that Pakistan was unaware of the terrorist organisations operating on its soil and said both the Pakistani state and the Army are involved in terrorist activities. 'The most notorious terrorists on the United Nations (UN) sanctions list are all in Pakistan. They operate in the big cities, in broad daylight. Their addresses are known. Their activities are known. Their mutual contacts are known," he said. Notably, tensions between India and Pakistan escalated dramatically after Lashkar-linked terrorists gunned down 26 tourists in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam on April 22. India launched precise airstrikes under Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan, sparking four days of intense military hostilities before a ceasefire was announced on May 10. 'Let's Not Pretend Pakistan Is Not Involved' 'Let's not pretend that Pakistan is not involved. The state is involved. The army is up to its neck in it," said Jaishankar, warning of 'consequences" if terrorist attacks from Pakistan continued. He also said the issue of terrorism and that of Jammu and Kashmir were completely separate matters to India. The minister said India wanted a definitive end to the problem of terrorism emanating from Pakistan. When asked about his previous statement of terming Pakistan as an 'epicentre of terrorism", he said, 'I am not suggesting that, I am stating that." 'Suppose that there were large military centres in the middle of a city like Amsterdam, where tens of thousands of people gathered for military training, would you say that your government knows nothing about that? Of course not," he told the Dutch newspaper. In an earlier interview with Dutch media, Jaishankar reiterated India's position on terrorism, Kashmir, and bilateral ties with Pakistan. 'Kashmir is part of India. No country negotiates a part of its own territory," he firmly said. First Published: May 23, 2025, 09:32 IST
News18
22-05-2025
- News18
‘Even Locals Not Visiting…': Pahalgam Still Dons Deserted Look A Month After Terror Attack
Last Updated: The horrific attack, which claimed the lives of 26 individuals, came as a huge setback for Kashmir's tourism industry. Pahalgam terror attack: A month after the ghastly terror attack on tourists in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam, the locals and small businessmen in the resort town still stare at mounting livelihood losses as the tourist footfall remain extremely low even in the peak season. The horrific attack, which claimed the lives of 26 individuals, came as a huge setback for Kashmir's tourism industry. What Locals Are Saying? A tour operator, Nasir Ahmad, told news agency PTI that even after a month, the place looks desolated. 'The place looks desolate. We used to have thousands of tourists on any given day in Pahalgam, providing livelihood opportunities for everyone — shopkeepers, roadside vendors, ponywallahs, cab drivers and hoteliers," Ahmad said. He further said that the resort town of Pahalgam had not worn such a deserted look even at the peak of the 1990s' insurgency. 'We used to host local visitors (Kashmiris) and that sustained the economy at the worst of times. However, this time, even local visitors are not coming," he said. Mohammad Irshad, a shopkeeper, said the situation for those earning a livelihood from tourism had started to turn desperate. 'The government will have to do something. People have not earned a penny in the past month and it cannot go on like this for too long," he added. ANI, '…My main business pertains to vehicles, which is related to tourism. It has been a month since tourists were killed (in Pahalgam). This should not have happened. What those terrorists did should not have happened. Pahalgam has been deserted since that day. We have all these vehicles, but there is no one to hire them. Still, we are hopeful that tourism will thrive once again in the days to come or next year. We trust the Government 100% that things will get better once again…We are now pinning our hopes on Yatra (Amarnath Yatra), which will help us earn a little. Right now, there are no tourists…I am 55 years old, I have seen militancy. But this is the first time there has been an attack in Pahalgam…This was our misfortune. It should not have happened." What Happened On April 22? In one of the biggest attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, four to five Lashkar-linked terrorists descended on the picturesque Baisaran meadows of Pahalgam and opened fire on on tourists on April 22, killing at least 26 people, including foreign tourists, and injuring many others. The Resistance Front (TRF), a Lashkar offshoot, claimed responsibility for the attack, although it later backtracked after massive global outrage. India, which had credible intelligence confirming cross-border links to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people, launched 'Operation Sindoor' and struck nine terror dens in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on May 7. The Indian armed forces destroyed multiple camps of terror groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) and Hizbul Mujahideen, killing more than 100 terrorists. While several top terrorists have been killed in various operations launched after the terror attack, the terrorists who carried out the massacre have eluded the security forces, officials have said. (With inputs from agencies) First Published: May 22, 2025, 17:24 IST
