A day after the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Ganderbal district, National Conference President Farooq Abdullah warned Pakistan of very severe results. He said that Pakistan would have to halt these activities if they wanted good relations with India. 

A group of terrorists attacked a tunnel construction site on Srinagar-Leh national highway in the Ganderbal district on Sunday, killing a doctor and six labourers. Condemning the terror attack, Farooq Abdullah asked Pakistan to stop terrorism in India, adding that Kashmir will not be Pakistan. He continued that the countries should live with dignity and succeed. The National Conference President further questioned how the countries would hold talks if Pakistan killed India’s innocent people.

Farooq Abdullah further expressed that the attack was very unfortunate. He questioned what will the terrorists get from the attack, and whether they think they will be able to create Pakistan in Kashmir. He asserted that they are trying to put an end to this so that they can move on from the misery. The National Conference party recently formed the government in the Union Territory.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah also described the terror attack as a despicable act of cowardice. He said that those involved in this heinous act will not be spared and will face the harshest response from our security forces. He also extended his sincerest condolences to the families of the deceased and prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Sunday termed the attack dastardly and cowardly. In a social media post, the Chief Minister said that the dastardly and cowardly on non-local labourers at Gagangir in Sonamarg region is very sad. He added that the labourers were working on a key infrastructure project in the area. 

He stated that two people have been killed and 2-3 more have been injured in this militant attack. He also strongly condemned this attack on unarmed innocent people and sent his condolences to their loved ones.

Meanwhile, a National Investigation Agency (NIA) has reached Kashmir to investigate the terror attack. Reports said, a Superintendent of Police rank officer will lead the NIA team.

Nearly, two terrorists carried out the dastardly attack. Two labourers died instantly, while three others and a doctor later succumbed to their injuries. Officials also said that five individuals are currently receiving treatment for their injuries.

Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, Khalistani terrorist issued a fresh threat on Monday, warning passengers not to fly on Air India flights from November 1 to 19. He claimed that an attack could take place on an Air India flight during the specified dates, which coincide with the 40th anniversary of the Sikh genocide.

The Khalistani terrorist and the founder of Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), who holds dual citizenship in Canada and the US, had issued a similar threat around the same time last year.

This threat comes amid several airlines in India receiving multiple threat calls about potential bombings, all of which turned out to be hoaxes. Additionally, it also occurred at a time when India and Canada are engaged in a murky diplomatic row following Canada’s allegations of India targeting Khalistani elements in the country, including the murder of another terrorist, Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

Earlier in November 2023, Pannun released a video claiming that Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport would be renamed and would remain closed on November 19, warning people against flying on Air India that day. 

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) charged him with criminal conspiracy, promoting enmity between different groups on the grounds of religion, and various offences under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

In December 2023, he also threatened to attack the Parliament on or before December 13, following reports of an alleged foiled plot to kill him. Notably, December 13 marks the anniversary of the terrorist attack on the Parliament in 2001.

Furthermore, Pannun also threatened to kill Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Director General of State Police Gaurav Yadav on Republic Day this year. He urged gangsters to unite and launch an attack on Mann on January 26.

Gurpatwant Singh Pannun has been designated a terrorist by the Ministry of Home Affairs since July 2020 on charges of sedition and secessionism, as he leads SFJ, a group advocating for a separate sovereign Sikh state. A year before, India banned SFJ as an unlawful association for engaging in anti-national and subversive activities.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday slammed previous governments for their neglect of eastern Uttar Pradesh, stating that while Kashi has traditionally been known as a centre of religion and spirituality, it is now poised to become a prominent centre for healthcare.

While inaugurating the RJ Sankara Eye Hospital in his Varanasi constituency, he expressed his joy at returning to the city by reciting the Sanskrit phrase “Tamaso ma jyotirgamay” (lead me from darkness to light). He emphasised that Kashi is not only retaining its spiritual identity but is also developing top-tier health facilities.

“For a long time, Kashi’s identity has been that of a centre of religion and spirituality but now, it is also set to emerge as a big centre of healthcare with various top-of-the-line health treatment facilities now available in Varanasi,” the prime minister said.

Modi highlighted that in the past decade, 250 million people have lifted themselves out of poverty, prompting his government to focus on public health. After touring the newly opened eye hospital, he described it as a harmonious blend of spirituality and modernity, set to serve both the elderly and children.

“I have just come back after seeing this eye hospital, it is a blend of spirituality and modernity. This hospital will serve the elderly as well as children,” Modi said.

The RJ Sankara Eye Hospital is operated by the Kanchi Math and is the 14th institution of its kind in India. Before the inauguration, Modi paid his respects to the Shankaracharya of Kanchi and the statue of the former Shankaracharya.

The hospital is expected to benefit residents from 20 districts across eastern Uttar Pradesh and those in border areas of Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh.

During his day-long visit to Varanasi, Modi will also roll out various development initiatives, including a series of airport projects totalling over Rs 6,700 crore. This visit marks his first return to Varanasi since June 18.

Additionally, according to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), he will lay the foundation stone for airport runway expansion and a new terminal at Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport, with an estimated cost of around Rs 2,870 crore.