India has pledged to pursue terrorists “to the ends of the earth” Thursday amid escalating tensions with Pakistan following a deadly shooting in India’s Kashmir region that claimed 26 lives.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said at a public rally that “India will identify, track and punish every terrorist, their handlers and their backers.”
“We will pursue them to the ends of the earth,” he reportedly added.
The attack on Tuesday was the most severe targeting of civilians in the restive region in years, which has been experiencing an anti-India insurgency for over three decades. Gunmen attacked mostly tourists at a popular scenic meadow, resulting in 26 deaths and 17 injuries, as reported by Reuters.
Paramilitary soldiers stand guard near Pahalgam on April 22 in India. More than 20 people, mainly tourists, were killed in a terrorist attack in Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir’s Anantnag district on Tuesday. (Waseem Andrabi/Hindustan Times via Getty Images)
In response, Pakistan closed its airspace for all Indian-owned or Indian-operated airlines and suspended all trade with India including to and from any third country.
Pakistan’s National Security Committee also condemned India’s “belligerent measures.” It said that while Pakistan remained committed to peace, it would never allow anyone to “transgress its sovereignty, security, dignity and inalienable rights.”
President Donald Trump extended his “deepest sympathies” on Tuesday following the attack.
Supporters of the Pakistan Murkazi Muslim League party protest against the suspension of a water-sharing treaty by India with Pakistan, in Lahore, Pakistan on Thursday, April 24. (AP/K.M. Chaudary)
“Deeply disturbing news out of Kashmir,” Trump wrote on his TRUTH Social account. “The United States stands strong with India against Terrorism. We pray for the souls of those lost, and for the recovery of the injured. Prime Minister Modi, and the incredible people of India, have our full support and deepest sympathies. Our hearts are with you all!”
Fox News Digital’s Danielle Wallace and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
