Pahalgam attack news highlights: JD Vance hopes Pakistan will cooperate on probe

US Vice President JD Vance said on Thursday that America hoped Pakistan would cooperate with India to hunt down Pakistan-based militants.

"Our hope here is that India responds to this terrorist attack in a way that doesn't lead to a broader regional conflict," Vance said in an interview on Fox News' "Special Report with Bret Baier" show.

"And we hope, frankly, that Pakistan, to the extent that they're responsible, cooperates with India to make sure that the terrorists sometimes operating in their territory are hunted down and dealt with," Vance added.

Police on Thursday carried out searches at 21 locations, including the residence of IC-814 hijack accused terrorist Mushtaq Ahmad Zargar alias Latrum, across Srinagar in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack.

A team of police investigators carried out the searches early in the morning at the residence of Latrum, the self-styled chief of the Al-Umar terror outfit, and houses of 20 other terror accused, officials said, as per PTI.

The wife of one of the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack told PTI she is not seeking a job or compensation, but solely wants her husband to be accorded the status of a martyr.

"Neither has Shubham received recognition as a martyr, nor has the government eliminated the terrorists responsible for the killings," she said.

"I don't want a job or money -- just the status of martyr for my Shubham. I will carry this pain for the rest of my life."

Amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan, the President of the UN Ambassador Evangelos Sekeris said on Thursday, that they were monitoring the situation and would be willing to discuss it with both parties if requested.

"This is an issue which is now ongoing, evolving," Sekeris said at a press briefing.

"We are listening, of course, we are monitoring closely the situation and will be seized on the matter, of course. This is certain that will happen," he added.

The Maharashtra cyber cell has recorded more than 10 lakh cyber attacks on Indian systems by hacking groups from various countries, including Pakistan, in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack, reported PTI.

Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met on Thursday to discuss the security situation and vowed to respond to "any act of aggression in a befitting manner”, reported PTI.

“Pakistani nation is united and stands behind its armed forces, who are capable of responding to any threat or aggression,” the leaders said as per an official statement.

Indian airlines have provided the civil aviation ministry with their inputs on the impact of the Pakistan airspace closure, reported PTI citing sources.

The ministry, recently, held a meeting with various airlines to discuss including Air India, IndiGo and SpiceJet, to discuss the impact and possible solutions for the closure of the Pakistani airspaces as tensions between both countries rise.

Pahalgam attack news live updates: Pakistani FM radio stations have stopped airing Indian songs as tensions between the two countries over the Pahalgam terror attack, in which 26 people were killed, continue.

"The Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA) has stopped airing Indian songs on Pakistani FM radio stations across the country with immediate effect," PBA Secretary General Shakeel Masood said, according to PTI.

Pahalgam attack news live updates: The Border Security Force (BSF) on Thursday recovered two Pakistani drones in Punjab, ANI reported, citing a release.

According to a release, the first DJI Mavic 3 Classic drone was found in a field near Shahur Kalan village, Gurdaspur district, following a joint search operation with Punjab Police. Shortly after, another similar drone was recovered near Bhaini Rajputana village in Amritsar district.

Pakistan is ramping up its military presence along the border with India as tensions escalate following the Pahalgam terror attack. The Pakistani armed forces have deployed a range of assets, including radars, air defence systems, and Chinese howitzers. According to a report by news agency ANI, the Pakistani military has deployed radar systems and air defence weapon systems opposite the Longewala sector, Barner in Rajasthan.

Pahalgam attack news live updates: Pakistan's envoy to the US has urged President Donald Trump to help ease tensions with India as he simultaneously strives to solve conflicts in Europe and West Asia, Newsweek reported.

Pakistan's Ambassador Rizwan Saeed Sheikh said that for a president "who is standing for peace in the world as a pronounced objective during this administration”, there was no “higher or flashier flash point” than Kashmir.

Pahalgam attack news live updates: Members of the Indian community in the UK have gathered in large numbers to show solidarity and support for India, countering a protest organised by a group of pro-Khalistani and Pakistani demonstrators outside the Indian High Commission in London.

The Indian diaspora raised slogans condemning terrorism and strongly denounced the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, according to ANI.

Pahalgam attack news live updates: Home minister Amit Shah on Thursday said the government will hunt down those behind the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam and the terrorists will have to answer for the heinous act.

“And if those who indulge in terror think that killing 27 citizens was a big victory, I want to tell them that this is not the end. We will hunt down each and every perpetrator,” the home minister said, promising to avenge the deaths.

Maharashtra deputy CM Eknath Shinde claimed that the Pahalgam attack would be the last, and PM Modi would now ‘eliminate Pakistan’.

"PM Modi has held a meeting with the top officials of the Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force. PM Modi will avenge the killings of innocent tourists by Pakistanis. There have been a lot of attacks, but no such reply has been given in the past. But PM Modi avenged the Pulwama attack, did the surgical strike also...Our countrymen have full faith that this will be the last attack and now PM Modi will eliminate Pakistan," Shinde was quoted by ANI as saying.

Pahalgam attack news live updates: Citing security concerns, Pakistan has announced the closure of specific portions of Karachi and Lahore airspace for four hours each day in the month of May, PTI reports, citing a local media report.

“The restricted airspace will be closed daily from 4:00 am to 8:00 am local time between May 1 and May 31,” Express Tribune said, quoting an official notice.

Pahalgam attack news live updates: On what would have been Indian Navy lieutenant Vinay Narwal’s 27th birthday, his wife, Himanshi Narwal, made a heartfelt appeal for peace and unity. “We don't want people going against Muslims or Kashmiris. We want peace and only peace. Of course, we want justice,” she said. ​

Pahalgam attack news live updates: Union home minister Amit Shah today said that terrorists should not think they have won the war. “Terrorists should not think they have won the war. This fight is not over yet. Chun chun ke badla lenge (we will take revenge on all terrorists),” Shah said at an event in Assam.

Pahalgam attack news live updates: Defence minister Rajnath Singh says that US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth has expressed his deepest sympathies for the tragic loss of innocent civilians in the dastardly terror attack in Pahalgam.

“Secretary Hegseth said that the US stands in solidarity with India and supports India’s right to defend itself. He reiterated the strong support of the US government in India's fight against terrorism,” the defence minister wrote on X.

Pahalgam attack news live updates: Defence minister Rajnath Singh spoke with his US counterpart Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth on Thursday amid tensions between India and Pakistan over the Pahalgam terror attack.

Minal Khan, a Pakistani national married to a CRPF jawan, was granted last-minute relief from deportation by the Jammu and Kashmir High Court on Wednesday. Minal, who had married Munir Khan online, had left Jammu for the Attari border when her lawyer informed her about the court's decision.

The Attari-Wagah border crossing point between India and Pakistan has been completely shut, PTI reported on Thurday, citing sources. Two unidentified sources told the news agency that no one from either country crossed over to the other side today.

Pahalgam attack news live updates: The Indian Navy has intensified operations in the Arabian Sea within India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), conducting extensive naval exercises following the deadly April 22 terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives.

Indian warships have been placed on high alert and have recently carried out multiple anti-ship and anti-aircraft missile firings, news agency ANI reports quoting defence sources.

Pahalgam attack news live updates: Jammu and Kashmir National Conference president Farooq Abdullah has strongly condemned the recent terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam. He also attributed it to security and intelligence lapses, accusing Pakistan of attempting to destabilise the region.

“We don't know what will happen tomorrow. Today, two countries are getting ready for a fight. Attempts are being made to ensure this doesn't happen and a solution can be found to catch the terrorists and those behind it," he said.

Pahalgam attack news live updates: On Pahalgam attack, Union minister Anupriya Patel tells ANI: "The Pahalgam incident is very cruel, shameful. I would appeal to everyone that this is the time for all of us to unite and give a befitting reply to terrorism. The government is sensitive, serious, and the Prime Minister has clearly said that we will find the terrorists and their patrons and they will be given harsh punishment beyond their imagination..."