Narendra Modi cuts short Saudi Arabia visit after terror attack on tourists in Jammu and Kashmir

Modi, who was on a two-day visit to Saudi Arabia, was earlier scheduled to arrive in India on Wednesday night.

Modi, held bilateral talks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah. However,  in view of the terrorist attack in Kashmir, PM Modi skipped the official dinner hosted by Saudi Arabia and has decided to cut short his visit, a government source told Mint.

“While he was originally scheduled to return tomorrow night, he will now arrive in India early Wednesday morning,” sources said.

Modi condemns the attack

Earlier in the day, Modi said those behind the Pahalgam terror attack will be 'brought to justice'.

Modi wrote on X: "I strongly condemn the terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. I pray that the injured recover at the earliest. All possible assistance is being provided to those affected."

"Those behind this heinous act will be brought to justice...they will not be spared! Their evil agenda will never succeed. Our resolve to fight terrorism is unshakable and it will get even stronger," he said.

Also Read: Navy officer, IB personnel among 27 killed in Pahalgam terror attack; Amit Shah reaches Srinagar

In one of the worst terror strikes that targeted tourists in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam amid the ongoing visit of US Vice-President JD Vance to India, gunmen killed at least 27 people and wounded many others after identifying them as non-Muslims on Tuesday, triggering a nationwide outrage and condemnation from all quarters, according to media reports.

Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, joined by Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, has reached Srinagar and may visit the attack area as well.

While TV9 Network put the toll at 27, various media reports confirmed more than 20 deaths in the attack and several injuries that prompted Union Home Minister Amit Shah to rush to Srinagar after he wrapped up a high-level meeting in Delhi.

Pahalgam attracts a large number of tourists every year.

Also read: They said my husband was not a Muslim and then shot at him, says Pahalgam terror survivor

India Today news channel reported that The Resistance Front (TRF), a shadow outfit of Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba, has claimed responsibility for the incident.

The attack took place at a time when Jammu and Kashmir is witnessing a spike in tourist footfalls.

The registration for the annual Amarnath Yatra pilgrimage is also ongoing.

The 38-day pilgrimage will begin on July 3.