Jammu (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], April 23 (ANI): Former Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Kavinder Gupta on Monday morning expressed remorse over the killing of tourists in the Pahalgam terrorist attack, and held Pakistan responsible for one of the deadly terror attacks in Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370.

'This is a very sad incident. In the last three months, over 500,000 tourists have visited Kashmir. If we look at all these issues, the situation in Kashmir was very well managed, but this cowardly act by Pakistan is intolerable,' Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Gupta told ANI.

He assured that the situation in the Kashmir valley would be normalised soon, as Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi remain invested in handling the situation.

'The Home Minister and the Prime Minister are taking this issue very seriously. The Home Minister reached Kashmir yesterday, and the Prime Minister has also returned to India... The situation will be normalised soon, and it will be ensured that such an incident does not happen in the future,' Gupta said.

As the country mourns the tragic death of innocent tourists, the coffins carrying the victims of the terror attack were brought to the Srinagar airport. Several state government representatives have arrived in Srinagar to facilitate the return home of victims and tourists from their respective states.

This has been one of the biggest terror attacks after the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. The government, however, has yet to officially confirm the number of casualties in the terror attack in Pahalgam.

As tourist movement also increases outside the Srinagar airport, Air India has added two more flights to Delhi and Mumbai, scheduled to operate today, to ensure the safe return of tourists from the valley. With the situation tense in the area, some tourists have also decided to cut their trips short.

Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu spoke to Union Home Minister Amit Shah about arranging more flights from Srinagar to Delhi and Mumbai today. The Minister is also monitoring fares to prevent spikes in this situation, and is continually assessing the situation around the clock to meet additional requirements.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation has arranged four new flights, two each to Delhi and Mumbai. Based on demand, they are in touch with airlines to increase their efforts.

The police administration has erected concertina wires in order to enhance security amid the heightened tensions over the deadly attacks against tourists. Choppers have been deployed in the airspace to conduct surveys and aid in the search operations in Pahalgam.

The terrorist attack in Pahalgam has sent shock waves across the country, especially within the local community, which has called for a shutdown.

Gulzar Ahmad Wani, president of Pahalgam Taxi Association, says, 'I condemn this attack. It is not just tourists, but our livelihood, our families. We don't consider them tourists. It is as if our family members have been killed. I request that the government investigate this matter thoroughly. Pahalgam has always been peaceful, and it runs on tourism.'

The business community in the Poonch district has put locks in markets while protesting and extending solidarity to the victims. They were seen shouting slogans, 'Pakistan Haye Haye! Dehshatgardi band karo!'

Following the terror attack, security forces have launched search operations on Wednesday to track down the terrorists responsible. Security has been heightened since the attack, with visuals from the area showing the streets deserted in the usually bustling tourist area. Many organisations have also called for a Jammu bandh following the attack.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a briefing meeting with EAM Dr S. Jaishankar, NSA Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, and other officials immediately after landing in Delhi from Saudi Arabia. (ANI)