Rahul Gandhi Rushes Back to India After Kashmir Attack, Joins Emergency CWC Meet in Delhi
Congress leader and Lok Sabha Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi returned to New Delhi in the early hours of Thursday, cutting short his official trip to the United States following the tragic terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. The attack claimed the lives of 26 civilians, including a Nepali national, and left many others injured.
Gandhi is set to attend a crucial Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting in the capital at 10:30 am on Thursday to discuss the party’s response to the crisis and express solidarity with the victims and their families.
Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh earlier confirmed Gandhi’s decision to curtail his visit, underlining the seriousness of the situation back home.
The gravity of the incident has triggered a nationwide wave of mourning and high-level political engagement. The central government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has announced an all-party meeting scheduled for April 24, with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh expected to chair it. The meeting aims to unify political voices in response to one of the deadliest attacks in the Valley since the 2019 Pulwama strike.
In solidarity and national urgency, both PM Modi and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also cut short their foreign visits to Saudi Arabia and the US, respectively.
India responded strongly to the cross-border nature of the attack, with Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri announcing a series of retaliatory measures, including suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, closure of the Attari land checkpost, and cancellation of travel privileges under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme for Pakistani nationals. Key defence staff have also been withdrawn from high commissions on both sides.
Meanwhile, grief-stricken families across India are holding the final rites for their loved ones. Among the fallen were Indian Navy Lieutenant Vinay Narwal from Karnal and Manjunath Rao from Shivamogga. As they bid tearful goodbyes, families are urging the government to act decisively against terrorism.
The attack, which unfolded at the picturesque Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam, marks a dark chapter in Kashmir’s recent history — a stark reminder of the region’s vulnerability even after the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019.
News Source : Information for this article was gathered from a variety of reliable news outlets.
