<p><strong>Pahalgam Terror Attack Live Updates</strong>: A devastating terror attack struck Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam on Tuesday afternoon, claiming the lives of 26 people, mostly tourists, including two foreigners and two locals.</p>
<p>The assault occurred around 3:00 PM in south Kashmir’s Baisaran meadow, located approximately six kilometers from the hill resort of Pahalgam, often referred to as "mini Switzerland". The region is a well-known destination, attracting travellers from across India and around the globe.</p>
<p>The attackers, whose sketches and photo were released by security agencies on Wednesday, descended from the mountains into the Baisaran Valley and opened fire on the unsuspecting tourists. The incident is being described as the most deadly in the Valley since the 2019 Pulwama attack.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, The Resistance Front (TRF), a shadow outfit of the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), claimed responsibility for the Tuesday terror attack.</p>
<p>Following the attack, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s chairmanship, firmed up five specific retaliatory measures against Pakistan. It directed the security forces to maintain high vigil and vowed to bring the perpetrators of the attack to justice.</p>
<p>During a media briefing on Wednesday evening, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri announced the decisions, saying the overall strength of the Pakistani and Indian high commissions will be brought down to 30 from the present 55 through further reductions, to be effected by May 1.</p>
<p>In response to the attack, India has downgraded diplomatic ties with Pakistan and announced measures, including suspension of the Indus Water Treaty of 1960, expulsion of Pakistani military attaches, and immediate shutting down of the Attari land-transit post.</p>
<p>The foreign secretary also stated that Pakistani nationals will not be allowed to travel to India under the SAARC visa exemption scheme (SVES) and any Pakistani national who is currently in India has been given 48 hours to leave India.</p>
<p>Ahead of the CCS meeting, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said those responsible for the cowardly terrorist attack will soon get a befitting reply to their nefarious acts on Indian soil. He said that India will not only hunt down those who perpetrated the attack, but will trace those who conspired the deadly act while sitting behind the scenes.</p>
