Pahalgam attack LIVE: Pakistan violates ceasefire along LoC in Kashmir, army responds, says Defence official

In a devastating act of violence, at least 26 people—among them two foreign tourists—were killed on Tuesday afternoon when a group of heavily armed terrorists opened fire near the scenic Baisaran meadows in Pahalgam, Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir. The attackers are believed to have emerged from nearby forested areas before launching the ambush. Several others sustained injuries, many of them critically, and the death toll is expected to rise, according to sources.

While the government has yet to release official casualty figures, local authorities confirmed the large-scale nature of the attack, which targeted a popular trekking route frequented by tourists.

Ceasefire Violation Along LoC

In a separate but related development, the Indian Army responded strongly to ceasefire violations by Pakistani forces along the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir, shortly after the attack in Pahalgam. A Defence official confirmed that retaliatory action was taken, although specific details remain undisclosed.

Diplomatic Fallout: Pakistanis Ordered to Leave India

In the wake of the terror strike, the Indian government issued a 48-hour deadline for Pakistani nationals visiting India to leave the country. On Friday, April 25, a total of 191 Pakistani citizens returned home via the Attari-Wagah land border in Punjab’s Amritsar. Simultaneously, 287 Indian nationals visiting Pakistan were also repatriated, officials confirmed.

Global Reaction

The attack coincided with a high-profile visit by United States Vice-President J.D. Vance, who is on a four-day tour of India. Expressing his condolences, Mr. Vance posted on X (formerly Twitter): “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims as they mourn this horrific attack.”