New Delhi, April 22 - Prime Minister Narendra Modi returned to Delhi early Wednesday after interrupting his two-day visit to Saudi Arabia. Mr. Modi took stock of the security situation in Kashmir following the terror attack in Pahalgam the previous day, in which 27 people lost their lives. National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri were also present on the occasion.
Government sources said, "Immediately after arriving in Delhi, the Prime Minister held a brief meeting with the National Security Advisor, External Affairs Minister and Foreign Secretary at the airport to discuss the security situation in the wake of the terror attack." The government will decide on the next course of action in a proper manner after considering all options in the wake of the terror attack.
It is worth noting that the terrorists had targeted a major tourist destination in Pahalgam in south Kashmir on Tuesday evening. At least 26 people lost their lives in the attack while many others were injured. The deceased include two foreign nationals - one from the UAE and the other from Nepal - and two locals. Five of the people killed in the terror attack belong to Maharashtra.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has made a formal request to Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu about arrangements to bring them back. During the conversation, Shinde also requested Naidu to arrange a special flight to bring back tourists from Maharashtra stranded in Jammu and Kashmir. Naidu, while accepting the request, assured that after receiving the list of stranded tourists, arrangements will be made to bring them to Mumbai in a special flight.
Meanwhile, the series of condolences from leaders of various countries regarding the lives lost in the terror attack continues. US President Donald Trump spoke to Modi on Tuesday night and expressed his condolences over the loss of lives.
Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin had written a letter to President Draupadi Murmu expressing solidarity. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has also sent condolences like the UAE. Meanwhile, Nepalese Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli tweeted, “Deepest condolences to the victims of the terror attack in Pahalgam. Nepal stands firmly with India and strongly condemns terrorism. Close coordination has been established to confirm reports of the death of a Nepali citizen among the victims and all necessary assistance will be provided.”