PM Modi didn’t fly over Pakistan on return from Saudi Arabia following Pahalgam attack

Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not overfly Pakistan on his return from Saudi Arabia to Delhi early Wednesday, hours after a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam prompted him to cut short his visit, TOI reported.

The special Air India One Boeing 777 flight, which had overflown Pakistan en route to Jeddah on Tuesday, took an alternative route while flying back to India following the deadly incident in Pahalgam.

Modi was in Saudi Arabia on a two-day official visit at the invitation of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to co-chair the second meeting of the Strategic Partnership Council. However, following the news of the terror strike, which killed at least 28 people and injured several, the Prime Minister decided to return to Delhi late Tuesday night.
In response to the incident, PM Modi expressed deep condolences and reiterated India’s resolve to fight terrorism. “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… Those behind this heinous act will be brought to justice… they will not be spared,” he said on X.

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The attack was reportedly discussed during a meeting between Indian Ambassador Suhel Ajaz Khan and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. “The Crown Prince condemned the terror attack and offered any help to India in this regard,” Khan said. The Prime Minister held a conversation with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who immediately flew to Srinagar and chaired a high-level security review with state officials, including J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. He also held a high-level meeting at the Delhi airport with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.
This marks one of the deadliest attacks in the Valley since the 2019 Pulwama bombing, intensifying security and diplomatic responses both within India and internationally.