PM vows punishment

In his first speech after the April 22 attack in J&K’s Pahalgam in which 26 people were killed, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Thursday promised that India will identify, track and punish every terrorist and their handlers beyond their imagination for the ghastly act.

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"We'll pursue them to the ends of the earth. India’s spirit will never be broken by terrorism. Terrorism will not go unpunished," Modi said in English during a public meeting in Bihar. On the other hand, in response to India’s Wednesday’s action against Pakistan, Islamabad hit back with an almost identical set of reciprocal measures. Pakistan closed its air space for Indian airlines, suspended Simla Agreement and rejected New Delhi’s suspension of a water sharing treaty, saying any move to divert water meant for it under the Indus Water Treaty will be considered an act of war. Meanwhile, the Centre briefed leaders of political parties on the terror attack and heard their views at an all-party meeting. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri informed envoys of countries, including the US, UK, France, China and Russia, about the massacre and its link to cross-border terrorism.

PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

Madhubani (Bihar)/New Delhi, April 24: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Thursday declared that India will 'identify, track, and punish' every terrorist and their 'backers' involved in the Pahalgam carnage and pursue the killers to the 'ends of the earth', as it stepped up the diplomatic offensive against Pakistan.