Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir – In the aftermath of the tragic terror attack that led to the death of many innocent lives on Tuesday, Indian Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday reviewed the security situation at the site of the terror attack in Pahalgam’s Baisaran meadow.

The Union Minister first took an aerial stock of the region as he arrived at the site by helicopter, descending onto the meadow now bearing the scars of violence, earlier in the day.

Amit Shah walked around the area amid tight security and was briefed by top officials on the current situation and ongoing operations in the area.

The visit comes amid heightened alert across the Kashmir Valley following the attack, which targeted tourists in one of the region’s key travel destinations.

Tuesday’s incident is considered one of the most serious attacks in Jammu and Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. The government is yet to release an official count of casualties.

Before heading to Pahalgam, the Union Home Minister paid tribute to the victims with a ‘heavy heart’ during a poignant ceremony and met with the families of the victims outside the Police Control Room in Srinagar.

Taking to X, Amit Shah expressed the centre’s firm resolve to combat terrorism, stating that ‘Bharat will not bend to terror’.

“With a heavy heart, paid last respects to the deceased of the Pahalgam terror attack. Bharat will not bend to terror. The culprits of this dastardly terror attack will not be spared,” Shah stated.

Meanwhile, a National Investigation Agency (NIA) team also arrived at the attack site to join the probe and assist the Jammu and Kashmir Police on the matter, which is considered the deadliest assault on civilians in the region in almost twenty years.

The NIA team – led by a Deputy Inspector General-rank officer – visited Baisaran a day after terrorists gunned down a group of tourists in the picturesque meadow, which is located around five kilometres from Pahalgam town in Kashmir’s Anantnag district.

Official sources privy to the development told ANI that ‘the NIA team members will be assisting the Jammu and Kashmir Police in the investigation’.

The NIA’s assistance to J-K Police underscores a key role in the overall investigation, as terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba’s proxy, the Resistance Front (TRF), has claimed responsibility for the attack.

The NIA team is expected to conduct a thorough assessment of the attack site, collect forensic evidence, and help in identifying those responsible for the carnage.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled visit to Kanpur on Thursday has been cancelled in the wake of the terror attack. According to an official statement, the Prime Minister was slated to inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for development projects valued at over Rs 20,000 crore during the visit.

Besides, the Jammu and Kashmir government has announced ex-gratia worth Rs 10 lakh each for the families of deceased victims and Rs 2 lakh for those who sustained serious injuries.

“No amount of money can ever compensate for the loss of loved ones, but as a mark of support and solidarity, the J&K Government announces an ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh each for the families of the deceased, Rs 2 lakh for those seriously injured, and Rs 1 lakh for those with minor injuries,” the J&K Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) said in a post on X on Wednesday.

“All arrangements for the dignified transport of the victims back to their homes have been made. The injured are being provided the best medical care,” the CMO added.

Meanwhile, some tourists have decided to cut their trips to the Kashmir Valley short in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack, resulting in increased demand for flight tickets from Srinagar. The Director General of Civil Aviation (DGC) has now requested airlines to increase the number of flights to and from Srinagar amid heightened tensions.

“The airlines are also requested to consider waiving cancellation and rescheduling fees and provide all necessary assistance to tourists facing unexpected circumstances and challenges during this difficult time,” the advisory read.

Following the terror attack, security forces launched search operations to track down the terrorists responsible. Security has been heightened since the attack, with visuals from the area showing the streets deserted in the usually bustling tourist area. Many organisations have also called for a Jammu bandh following the attack.

ANI