Pahalgam Terror Attack Live Updates: India advises all platforms to discontinue any Pakistan-origin content

In the interest of national security, all OTT platforms, media streaming platforms and intermediaries operating in India are advised to discontinue the web-series, films, songs, podcasts and other streaming media content, whether made available on a subscription based model or otherwise, having its origins in Pakistan with immediate effect: Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

Calling Pakistan-backed terrorists “murderers in the name of jihad,” Hyderabad MP and AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi on Thursday strongly urged for a global campaign to dismantle The Resistance Front (TRF), the group that claimed responsibility for the recent Pahalgam terror attack.

Speaking at an all-party meeting chaired by defence minister Rajnath Singh, a day after India launched precision airstrikes on nine terror sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, Owaisi voiced his full support for Operation Sindoor.

"I congratulate the armed forces for the action they took yesterday and the courage and bravery they showed. Terror camps in Pakistan and PoK have been neutralised, it is a matter of pride for us," defence minister Rajanth Singh amid Indo-Pak tension.

The Pakistan Stock Exchange plunged over 6 per cent on Thursday, prompting a one-hour trading halt amid rumours of heightened military activity by India near Karachi, reported PTI.

Despite the rumours being unfounded, the benchmark KSE100 index nosedived by 6,948.73 points, or 6.32 percent, to 103,060.30 before trading was temporarily suspended.

Trading later resumed, with Fatima Bucha of AKD Securities stating that the situation on the trading floor had "calmed down a bit."

"Shelling occurred all day yesterday in Poonch and the whole district was affected by it. Whenever such situations arose, our city always stayed safe. But now, people have lost their lives in large numbers. Religious structures have also been targeted... In this building also, our Ustaad was killed in the shelling. His six children were also present here at the time," Vice Principal of Jamia Zia-ul-Uloom Poonch tells news agency ANI.

"Poonch saw very heavy shelling yesterday... Bhai Amrik Singh, a raagi, in our gurudwara, died in the shelling; he was in his shop located on the ground floor of his house when this happened... A shell hit the gurdwara as well, but there was no one present here... One Hindu child has been killed, four Sikhs have been killed, and many from the Muslim community have also lost their lives in the shelling... People have started migrating in large numbers," Narinder Singh, president of district Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee tells news agency ANI.

Due to reports of drone explosions, downed drones, and possible airspace incursions in and near Lahore, the US Consulate General in Lahore has directed all consulate personnel to shelter-in-place. The Consulate has also received initial reports that authorities may be evacuating some areas adjacent to Lahore’s main airport.

"US citizens who find themselves in an area of active conflict should leave if they can do so safely.  If it is not safe to leave, they should shelter-in-place," said the US Embassy & Consulates in Pakistan.

Defence minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday told leaders at all-party meeting that Operation Sindoor is "still ongoing". News agency PTI sources said the defence minister informed the leaders that India will hit back if Pakistan attacks in the wake of India's targeted strike.

A day after the Indian Armed Forces destroyed nine terror bases across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu & Kashmir (PoJK), killing at least 100 terrorists, Operation Sindoor continued into its second day. India sustained its counter-terror operations as Pakistan violated the ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) and engaged in heavy shelling.

The central government has debunked several Pakistani media reports related to Operation Sindoor, the counter-terrorism offensive launched by the Indian Armed Forces following the Pahalgam attack.

The Press Information Bureau’s fact-check unit warned against the spread of “dubious content” on social media, describing it as “Pakistan-sponsored propaganda.”

The European Union (EU) and its 27 Member States unequivocally condemn the heinous terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir on 22 April and the murder of innocent civilians. Terrorism can never be justified. Those responsible for the attack must be brought to justice. Every state has the duty and the right lawfully to protect its citizens from acts of terror.

The EU is monitoring closely and with great concern the growing tensions in the region and the ensuing consequences, including the possible loss of more lives. The EU calls on both parties to exercise restraint, to de-escalate tensions and desist from further attacks to safeguard civilian lives on both sides. The EU urges both sides to engage in dialogue, the EU said.

Indian armed forces used Harpy drones to target Pakistan's air defence systems, reports ANI.

Gurdaspur district administration has ordered a complete blackout in the district from 9.00 pm on May 8 to 5.00 am on May 9.

Officials told PTI that the Pakistani military also attempted to engage military targets in Srinagar, Jammu, Amritsar, Jalandhar, Ludhiana using drones, missiles.

Indian Air Force S-400 Sudarshan Chakra air defence missile systems were fired last night against targets moving towards India. The targets were successfully neutralised in the operation say multiple domain experts to ANI. Official government confirmation awaited.

"This morning, the Indian Armed Forces targeted Air Defence Radars and systems at a number of locations in Pakistan. Indian response has been in the same domain with same intensity as Pakistan. It has been reliably learnt that an Air Defence system at Lahore has been neutralised," the defence ministry said.

Pakistan has increased the intensity of its unprovoked firing across the Line of Control using Mortars and heavy calibre Artillery in areas in Kupwara, Baramulla, Uri, Poonch, Mendhar and Rajouri sectors in Jammu and Kashmir, the ministry added.

The HQ-9 is a Chinese-made long-range surface-to-air missile system (similar in concept to the Russian S-300), used by Pakistan for air defence. It is designed to detect, track, and destroy enemy aircraft, drones, and missiles at long distances. Damages to the HQ-9 launchers or their support equipment (like radar, command centres, etc.) would significantly reduce Pakistan’s air defence capability in the affected area.

News agency ANI has reported that Pakistan’s Air Defence units of HQ-9 air defence missile launchers have suffered heavy damage.

"The Pakistani military was unpopular in their country due to many reasons... Pakistan's army is the most pampered institution of its kind in the world. They have given the people of Pakistan nothing in return... They locked up the most popular leader in Pakistan, Imran Khan. This misadventure in Pahalgam, this criminal terrorist outrage, was partly motivated by a desire to put the army back in the Centre. They also wanted to hurt the economy of Kashmir, which was benefiting from a tourist boom," Congress MP Shashi Tharoor says tells ANI on Operation Sindoor and Pakistan army's agenda behind the Pahalgam attack.

He further added: "They wanted to increase disaffection among the people in Kashmir and turn them against the rest of India... They knew India would react, and then they could portray themselves as the heroes, the saviours of the nation... They wanted to re-hyphenate India and Pakistan in the global imagination and show the world that Kashmir was still an unresolved issue... We are doing all the right things so far... The messaging of the press conference in which the foreign secretary, a Kashmiri Pandit, was flanked on both sides by women officers, one of whom was a Muslim, demonstrates a narrative against the one of Hindu-Muslim hostility being spread by the Pakistanis like silly general Munir."

"Political parties are the voice of the people and the leaders speaking in one voice. I think it is also one of our successes... It is not good to tell about the continuation of things that are going on after the first strike of Operation Sindoor, and hence, officials were not called in the meeting," Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju tells ANI after the all-party meeting.

"We gave full support, and what Kharge ji said is right — there are certain things that shouldn't be discussed. Everyone simply gave their support," Lok Sabha leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi tells PTI after all-party meeting.

"The meeting was chaired by defence minister Rajnath Singh, who briefed everyone about t Operation Sindoor and all the leaders gave their suggestions. All the leaders have shown maturity at a time when we are all working together. Everyone has hailed and congratulated the armed forces for Operation Sindoor, and said that we will support the government and armed forces. We have received a few suggestions as well... The defence minister said we don't form the government just to rule," Union parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju tells news agency ANI.

Defence minister Rajnath Singh told in the all-party meeting that at least 100 terrorists were killed in Indian strikes under Op Sindoor, reported news agency PTI, citing sources.

"I have complimented our armed forces and the government for Operation Sindoor. I also suggested that we should run a global campaign against the Resistance Front (TRF). I also suggested that the government should request the USA to designate it (TRF) as a terrorist organisation. We should also make efforts to grey-list Pakistan in FATF," AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi tells ANI after the all-party meeting.

"In the meeting, we heard what they (Centre) had to say. They also said that certain confidential information cannot be shared outside. We told them that we all are with the government," Congress MP & LoP Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge tells ANI after all-party meeting.

"I congratulate the Indian Armed Forces for their successful strike on the terrorists' areas in Pakistan. I congratulate them with all my heart," BJD president and former Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik tells ANI.

"We all must thank and congratulate our government as well as our Security Forces for giving a proportionate but befitting reply to Pakistan for sponsoring terrorism in India. Our Security Forces in general have demonstrated extreme competence but also extreme care in executing targeted operations inside Pakistan, neutralising the major bases of the terrorist outfits in the country, which operate out of that country. In the last 10 years, we repeatedly conveyed to Pakistan that its misadventure will not go unpunished. Pakistan must get its lesson properly. Any further misadventure will force India to take further stringent measures," BJP leader & President India Foundation, Ram Madhav tells news agency ANI.

"We will be informed about the action taken by the Indian Army in the meeting... The way they attacked nine terrorist hideouts under Operation Sindoor yesterday, after which Masood Azhar was seen wailing and saying that he will issue a threatening press release, shows that the Indian Army has taught a big lesson to the terrorist organisations funded and nurtured inside Pakistan... I bow my head in salute to Dinesh Sharma's supreme sacrifice. The Indian Government and Army are capable of giving a befitting reply to such a cowardly act by Pakistan," AAP MP Sanjay Singh tells news agency ANI on Centre holding all-party meeting on Operation Sindoor.

The Indian Armed Forces on Wednesday provided details about 'Operation Sindoor' during a media briefing conducted by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, and Col Sophiya Qureshi.

Wing Commander Vyomika Singh stated that Operation Sindoor was initiated to deliver justice to the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack and their families.

She confirmed that nine terror sites were targeted during the operation. Col Sofiya Qureshi presented video evidence during the press briefing, showing precision strikes on terror camps, including targets in Muridke.

Congress MP & LoP Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge and LoP Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi arrive at the Parliament Annexe building to attend the all-party meeting called by the Centre

Union home minister Amit Shah arrives at the Parliament Annexe building for the all-party meeting called to brief all political parties on Operation Sindoor.

"Operation Sindoor has been successfully executed by the armed forces, and the government is very clear about it. PM Modi's intentions have already been known to the world. The PM desires that in such a situation, we shouldn't be divided. It is a situation where every Indian must be united," Union parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju tells news agency ANI.

Nadda arrived in Parliament to attend the meeting called to brief the top opposition leaders on the 'Operation Sindoor' that armed forces undertook to avenge the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 civilians were killed.

Residents of border villages in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district returned to their homes after being forced to evacuate due to intense Pakistani shelling. The returning villagers reported significant damage to residential properties from the cross-border shelling incident. The local residents had fled their homes in panic along with their families and livestock to seek safety from the artillery fire. The evacuation affected multiple border villages in the Rajouri area, with families only beginning to return after the shelling subsided.

In response to Operation Sindoor conducted by Indian Armed Forces against Pakistan, Amritsar Airport has been closed indefinitely as northern India remains under high alert. Multiple airports across North and North-Western India are implementing enhanced security protocols during this period.

The closure of Amritsar Airport is part of broader security measures being implemented across major northern Indian cities in the operation's aftermath.

A security drill simulating the aftermath of an airstrike was conducted on Wednesday evening at Select Citywalk Mall in Saket. The aim was to test coordination among emergency services and assess public readiness. What unfolded, however, left more questions than answers. The drill was scheduled to begin at 4pm but commenced only around 4.40pm. A total of 39 civil defence volunteers (CDVs), including 15 women, were deployed alongside police officers, one fire tender, an ambulance and a medical team from Delhi govt consisting of two doctors and a nurse. An SDM was also present to oversee proceedings.

During the night of May 7-8, Pakistan Army posts resorted to unprovoked fire using small arms and artillery guns across the LoC in areas opposite Kupwara, Baramulla, Uri and Akhnoor areas in J&K. Indian Army responded proportionately: Indian Army

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday appealed to all tourists, visitors, and local people who might have information, photographs, or videos related to the Pahalgam terror attack to contact the agency. The agency has already taken possession of a sizable number of photographs and videos showing various aspects of the attack and is currently examining them.
The NIA has decided to scale up its efforts to ensure that no useful information or evidence is overlooked during the investigation.
In an appeal issued on Wednesday, the NIA urged individuals to call the agency at the mobile number 9654958816 or the landline number 01124368800 and provide their personal details, along with the kind of information or inputs they wish to share.
A senior NIA official will then connect with the caller and arrange for the relevant information/photos/videos.

All schools in Rajasthan's Jodhpur will remain closed until further notice following the missile strikes carried out by Indian forces in Pakistan on Wednesday, May 7.

District Collector Gaurav Agarwal announced that a holiday has been declared for all private and government schools, as well as Anganwadi centres, starting Thursday, May 8, and continuing until further orders.

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal has condemned Pakistan's shelling on Shri Guru Singh Sabha Gurudwara in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch, terming the incident as "highly condemnable" and "shameful for humanity."

The AAP convenor further paid tribute to the victims and extended his condolences to the bereaved families.

In a social media post on X, Kejriwal wrote, "The bomb attack by Pakistan on Gurdwara Sahib located near LOC in Poonch sector of Jammu and Kashmir is highly condemnable and shameful for humanity. The death of Raggi Singh, Bhai Amrik Singh, Amarjit Singh, Ranjit Singh and Ruby Kaur Ji in this attack is extremely sad. We pay tribute to all the departed souls and express our deepest condolences to their families. We pray to Guru Sahib Ji to give place to the departed souls in his feet and give strength to the family members to bear this unbearable pain.

Akal Takht, the supreme temporal body of Sikhs, has strongly condemned the attack by Pakistani forces on the Central Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha Sahib in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch.

"Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargajj, officiating Jathedar of Akal Takht Sahib, has strongly condemned the attack in the Poonch region of Kashmir, where civilians, including Sikhs, were killed and a gurdwara was attacked amid rising tensions and cross-border attacks between India and Pakistan," reads an official press release.

According to the press release, Jathedar Gargajj stated that during Pakistan's retaliatory shelling in Poonch, following India's Operation Sindoor, the central Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha was hit. During the attacks in Poonch, three Gursikhs were killed - Bhai Amrik Singh (a raagi), Bhai Amarjeet Singh (a retired army soldier), and Bhai Ranjit Singh (a local shopkeeper). Additionally, reports have emerged of a Sikh woman named Ruby Kaur being killed in the Mankote area. Other civilian casualties in Poonch have also come to light. The Jathedar offered prayers for the spiritual peace of those who lost their lives and strength for their families to endure the loss.

He emphasised that both nations' governments must immediately make sincere efforts to restore peace.

Congress MP Rajiv Shukla on Wednesday said the all-party meeting called by the Centre on Thursday is aimed at briefing all political parties about how Operation Sindoor was carried out. He welcomed the move, saying it was good that the government was consulting everyone.

"The all-party meeting has been called to brief everyone about the situation and how the operation was carried out. It is very good that the Government will hold a discussion with everyone," Shukla told ANI.

The Congress leader also expressed support for the air strikes carried out by Indian Armed Forces under Operation Sindoor.

"We welcome the air strikes. We have always said we are in support of the government in whatever steps it takes against terrorism," he added.

Union minister Jitan Ram Manjhi on Wednesday lauded Operation Sindoor, calling it proof of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's decisive leadership, and said it had silenced those who doubted the PM's promises.

In a post on X, Manjhi wrote, "This incident has proved and is a big slap on those who say that PM Narendra Modi is a jumlabaaz (a man who makes false promises). It has been proved that PM Modi had said that we will do something which will make him understand and action was taken."

Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar also commended the action and expressed full faith in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership after the strong retaliation to the Pahalgam terror attack.

He praised the Army and extended support to the Centre's action, and said, "The whole country is united against terrorism. The whole country is proud of the courage and valour of the Indian Army. We all have unwavering faith and pride in the leadership of the respected Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi."

The government had convened an all-party meeting after the Pahalgam terror attack, and the opposition parties had expressed their full support to the government for any action against the perpetrators of the Pahalgam terror attack.

In response to the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam and rising regional tensions, US Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi highlighted the need to combat terrorism and prevent future violence, which has become even more "urgent."

"In the wake of last month's horrific terrorist attack in Pahalgam, the need to combat terrorism and prevent future violence has become even more urgent," Krishnamoorthi told to ANI.

He emphasised the importance of avoiding broader conflict and further escalation. "It is essential to avoid broader conflict and further escalation," he stated, referencing Secretary Rubio's comments.

Krishnamoorthi also called on Pakistan to take specific action. "At the same time, Pakistan must release former Prime Minister Imran Khan and ensure free and fair elections that uphold democratic values and give voice to the will of the Pakistani people," he said.

He added that "the current situation should not be used as a pretext to further undermine democracy in Pakistan."

Actor Nimrat Kaur has supported the Indian Armed Forces for carrying out precision strikes on terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJk) in response to the Pahalgam terror attack.

Talking to ANI, Nimrat said, "I fully support the action taken by our armed forces on terrorist camps. I want that there should be no place for terrorism, not in this country but in the whole world."

Nimrat also shared her opinions on Pahalgam attack.

"Whatever happened in Pahalgam, we all observed it very closely and felt very sad. I am the daughter of a martyr and had lost my father in Kashmir in 1994. I understand very well that what drastic circumstances life brings in front of you, it is a very painful and sad thing," she said.

She also asked the citizens to support Operation Sindoor.

Nimrat said, "As a citizen of India...we all should stand with the Government of India to finished these terror attacks and make India a terror free country."

"At the background of the escalation of situation between India and Pakistan, we call on both parties to maintain composure and pursue meaningful diplomatic engagement. It is crucial to avoid actions that could further deteriorate the security situation in the South Asian region and instead prioritize diplomatic solution to all contentious issues. Ukraine actively supports all measures aimed at restoring peace and stability in the region and advocates for the immediate de-escalation of tensions. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine will closely observe further developments and continue to support international initiatives and efforts towards ensuring peace and stability in South Asia." reads the statement.

Operation Sindoor, the name is so apt. That was what the family of Navy officer Vinay Narwal, who was killed by terrorists in Pahalgam, felt on Wednesday after the armed forces pounded terror infrastructures in Pakistan and PoK. His father Rajesh Narwal said the Narendra Modi government has sent a strong message and now the perpetrators of the April 22 massacre "will think 100 times" before repeating such attacks.

Himanshi, who was widowed during her honeymoon, said the operation signifies her late husband's spirit that terrorism and hatred will not be tolerated by India.

She thanked the government for the name it gave to the operation retaliating the terror attack that claimed the lives of 26 tourists in the verdant meadows of Baisaran two weeks ago and urged the government to put a full stop to terrorist activities.

"I am thankful to the government. I also request them to end it here. Make sure that this is just the start of the end of terrorism in this country. Make sure no one ever has to go through what I am enduring right now," Himanshi said.

The photo of navy officer Vinay Narwal's body lying on the ground in the lush Baisaran meadows of Pahalgam with newlywed Himanshi slumped beside with an empty gaze has become the haunting symbol of the ghastly terror attack.

She said when Vinay Narwal had joined the armed forces to protect peace in this country. "He wanted to make sure that innocent lives are not lost. He wanted to make sure there was no hatred and terror," Himanshi added.

India's armed forces destroyed nine terrorist infrastructures, including that of Jaish-e-Mohammad and Lashkar-e-Taiba, in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in a 25-minute-long missile and drone strike early on Wednesday.

Vinay Narwal's father Rajesh said, "When the Pahalgam incident happened, you (media) came to me asking what I expected from the government. My answer was that I have faith in our government and today, the government has justified that trust."

"I had said that such a thing (retaliatory strikes) has to be done so that such cowardly (terror) acts are not repeated... the strikes carried out on the terror targets will resonate in their minds forever," he said at his residence in Karnal.

The members of the Standing Committee on Communications and Information Technology, Chaired by Lok Sabha MP Nishikant Dubey, met on Wednesday to examine the issue of "Review of mechanism to curb Fake News".

The Committee also took evidence from representatives of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and other stakeholders related to the media industry.

In a post on X, Lok Sabha said, "The Standing Committee on Communications and Information Technology, Chaired by Dr @nishikant_dubey, MP, met today to examine the issue of Review of mechanism to curb Fake News".

"The Committee also took evidence from representatives of @MIB_India and other stakeholders related to the Media Industry," it added.

In a post on X, Dubey said that the committee requested all the editors of newspapers and the heads of media channels to show only the news given by the government.

"Today, in the meeting, our committee requested all the editors of newspapers and the heads of media channels to show only the news given by the government during our war with Pakistan. Our committee emphatically told all the journalists that first of all, you are Indians and our army is fighting the war," the BJP MP said.