"Definitely foreign hand behind it": BJP's Ramchander Rao on Pahalgam terror attack

Labelling the attack on innocent tourists as "inhuman", he said that terrorist activities had come to a halt in Jammu and Kashmir, and added that this incident involved a foreign hand.

"The attack on innocent tourists in Pahalgam by the terrorists is a grave and inhuman incident, which should be condemned by all the sections of the society. Terror activities in J&K have already come to zero. This incident definitely has a foreign hand behind it," Rao told ANI.

He urged the political parties, including the opposition, to speak in "one voice" against terrorism.

"Terror has no religion, and all the political parties have to combat terrorism. All political parties, including opposition parties, should speak one voice that we are all against terrorism," Rao said.

Meanwhile, as the security forces continue to carry out search operations, the Indian Army has allowed limited operations of its Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv choppers in Srinagar and adjoining affected areas amid heightened tensions and security concerns.

The choppers have been allowed to fly in view of the ongoing counter-terror operations, defence officials said. The ALH Dhruv choppers have been grounded for over two months after a crash involving Indian Coast Guard officers in Porbandar. The grounding of the choppers has affected the troop movement in the counter-terror operations.

However, they have been given limited permission in the valley in the wake of the Pahalgam terrorist attack to operate.

The coffins carrying the victims of the terror attack were brought to the Srinagar airport. Several state government representatives have arrived in Srinagar to facilitate the return home of victims and tourists from their respective states.

This has been one of the biggest terror attacks after the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. The government, however, has yet to officially confirm the number of casualties in the terror attack in Pahalgam.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation has arranged four new flights, two each to Delhi and Mumbai. Based on demand, they are in touch with airlines to increase their efforts.

Following the terror attack, security forces have 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)