Pune (Maharashtra) [India], April 26 (ANI): Union Minister and BJP national president JP Nadda on Saturday expressed grief over the Pahalgam terror attack and assured that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has assured that a strong response will be given.

He further added that he will meet the families from Pune who lost their loved ones in the incident.

Speaking at the public gathering, Nadda said, 'We all observed two minutes of silence and prayed for the peace of the departed souls. An unfortunate incident has occurred involving two families from the city of Pune. I am going to meet their families today.

He further said the entire nation stands united in grief and anger over the attack. 'The entire country is angry and saddened by this incident, and Prime Minister Modi has said that a befitting reply will be given,' the Union minister added.

Earlier today, he offered prayers at the Shrimant Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati Mandir in Pune, Maharashtra.

Referring to the Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 people were killed, Nadda said that he had prayed to Lord Ganesha that through his strength and wisdom, 'India can emerge from this hour of crisis.'

Nadda said that a 'befitting reply' will be given for this attack, adding that he prayed to god to provide strength to PM Modi for this.

'I came here to seek the blessings of Ganpati Bappa. The whole country is agitated by the attack by terrorists in Pahalgam. I prayed to Ganesha so that, through his wisdom and strength, India can emerge from this hour of crisis. A befitting reply will be given under the leadership of PM Modi. I have prayed that god provide strength to PM Modi ji for this,' JP Nadda said.

Twenty-six people were killed in the terror attack in Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on Tuesday.

India has taken strong countermeasures against Pakistan for its support of cross-border terrorism.

The government has temporarily suspended the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan. This decision was made at a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) held on April 23, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and attended by Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.

Meanwhile, fear and panic have gripped Kashmiri students across the country following open threats and targeted violence in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack.

The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) reported receiving over 1,000 distress calls from students across the country, many expressing fears for their safety and making urgent plans to return home.JKSA has released emergency helpline numbers and formed a dedicated team to support students and liaise with authorities.

Having said this, sources in the security agencies have refuted 'fake news' being circulated by 'mischievous elements' that Kashmiri students and traders are facing harassment across the country in the aftermath of the April 22 terror attacks in the Pahalgam district of Jammu and Kashmir.

The sources confirmed that all Kashmiri students and traders are safe across the country. (ANI)