'US stands strong with India against terrorism,' says Trump after J&K terror attack

New Delhi: The United States stands strong with India against terrorism, President Donald Trump said, as at least 28 people were killed in a terror attack at Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday.

As the carnage took place on the second day of his visit to India, United States Vice President J D Vance too termed the attack as horrific and condoled the death of the victims. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar also condemned the terror attack.

“Deeply disturbing news out of Kashmir,” Trump posted on Truth Social, adding: “We pray for the souls of those lost, and for the recovery of the injured. Prime Minister Modi and the incredible people of India have our full support and deepest sympathies. Our hearts are with you all!”

Vance, his wife Usha Vance (née Chilukuri), and the couple’s children, Ewan, Vivek and Mirabel, are on a four-day tour to India. They met Prime Minister Narendra Modi hours after arriving in New Delhi on Monday.

The second family of the US was in Jaipur on Tuesday when the terrorist attack took place in J&K. Just a short while after the US vice president completed his speech at the Rajasthan International Centre, the reports of the terror attack came in.

“Usha and I extend our condolences to the victims of the devastating terrorist attack in Pahalgam, India. Over the past few days, we have been overcome with the beauty of this country and its people,” Vance posted on X, adding: “Our thoughts and prayers are with them as they mourn this horrific attack.”

The Vances are scheduled to visit the Taj Mahal in Agra on Wednesday. But it is not clear if they would make any change in their schedule in the wake of the terrorist attack, which also took place at a popular tourist destination in Kashmir.

A source in New Delhi said that the security around the US vice president, his family, and other members of his entourage would be enhanced in view of the terrorist attack in J&K.

When Modi met Trump in the White House on February 13, the two leaders called on Pakistan to expeditiously bring to justice the perpetrators of the November 26-28, 2008, terrorist attacks in Mumbai, and January 1, 2016, attacks in Pathankot and ensure that its territory is not used to carry out cross-border terrorist attacks. They reaffirmed that the global scourge of terrorism must be fought, and terrorist safe havens eliminated from every corner of the world.

After the recent extradition of 26/11 plotter Tahawwur Rana from the US to India, Trump’s Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, noted that Washington, D.C., had long supported New Delhi’s efforts to ensure that the terrorists responsible for the attacks are brought to justice.

“Deeply saddened by the heinous terror attack on tourists in #Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families. Israel stands united with India in the fight against terror,” Sa’ar posted on X.