Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a meeting at Delhi airport with NSA Ajit Doval and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar soon after returning from Saudi Arabia to review the situation following the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives. The attack, which occurred at a popular tourist site in south Kashmir, killed mostly tourists, including two foreigners from the UAE and Nepal, as well as two locals. Several others were injured.

Upon arrival in Srinagar on Tuesday night, Home Minister Amit Shah met survivors and paid tribute to the victims at the Police Control Room, where the bodies were taken after being brought to GMC Srinagar. Shah assured survivors that those responsible would be held accountable. The J&K government announced compensation: ₹10 lakh for families of the deceased, ₹2 lakh for the seriously injured, and ₹1 lakh for those with minor injuries.

An NIA team led by an inspector general is heading to Pahalgam to support the investigation. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman cut short her US trip in response to the attack. She is part of the Cabinet Committee on Security chaired by PM Modi. The incident has triggered widespread outrage, with Kashmir observing its first shutdown against terrorism in 35 years. Protests and shutdowns were supported by political parties, religious groups, trade bodies, and civil society.

Several Kashmir newspapers marked their front pages with black backgrounds in a symbolic protest, highlighting the region's collective grief and condemnation. In response, the Civil Aviation Ministry directed airlines to prevent fare hikes and arranged additional flights to Srinagar. Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi also reacted strongly, urging justice for the victims. Gandhi spoke with Shah, CM Omar Abdullah, and J&K Congress president Tariq Karra, stressing support for the affected families.