Modi's plane avoids Pakistan airspace while returning from Saudi Arabia

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s flight on Wednesday avoided Pakistan airspace while returning from Jeddah. The plane flew over Arabian Sea and entered India from Gujarat, according to News18.

In the wake of terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam that killed 26 people, the PM cut short his two-day Saudi Arabia visit and decided to return to New Delhi.

According to a report by Economic Times, the PM convened an emergency meeting at the airport with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri.

PM Modi, who reached Jeddah on Tuesday afternoon for bilateral talks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, delayed their scheduled meeting by over two hours to assess the developing situation in Kashmir.

PM Modi also skipped an official dinner hosted that evening. Originally slated to return to India on Wednesday night, his plans were adjusted in response to the unfolding events.

He earlier said that those behind "this heinous act will be brought to justice and will not be spared".

"I strongly condemn the terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. I pray that the injured recover at the earliest. All possible assistance is being provided to those affected. Those behind this heinous act will be brought to justice...they will not be spared! Their evil agenda will never succeed. Our resolve to fight terrorism is unshakable and it will get even stronger," the PM posted on X.

A team of National Investigation Agency (NIA) led by an inspector general has been sent to terror-hit Pahalgam, official sources told PTI.

The team is en route to Pahalgam where it would provide assistance to the local police probing Tuesday's dastardly terrorist attack in which 28 people, mostly tourists from different parts of the country, were killed, the sources said.

The terrorists opened fire at tourists who were milling around eateries, taking pony rides or just picnicking at the Baisaran meadows in Pahalgam, touted as 'Mini Switzerland' for its serene beauty.