Who is the lone foreigner killed in Pahalgam terror attack?

Among the 26 people who died in the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam area, one was a Nepalese citizen.

The victim has been identified as 27-year-old Sudip Neupane from the Butwal region of Nepal.

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On Tuesday, at least four terrorists opened fire at a resort in Pahalgam , a popular tourist destination in south Kashmir. Dozens of tourists were present at the time.

The attack has shocked the entire country and drawn strong condemnation from both within India and abroad.

In this report, we take a look at the only foreign national killed in the attack, the statement issued by the Nepal government, and what the victim’s family has said.

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Who was Sudip Neupane?

Sudip belonged to Butwal, in Nepal’s Rupandehi district. He had travelled to Pahalgam with his mother, sister, and brother-in-law for a holiday when the attack happened.

His mother was also injured during the attack, Nepal’s Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba said.

Sudip’s grandfather told news agency ANI that the terrorists asked him about his religion before shooting him after he “identified himself as Hindu”.

He was a public health student and an aspiring social worker. He had been living in Butwal with his mother, Rima, and sister for the past four years, The Kathmandu Post reported.

He had earned his bachelor’s degree in public health from Dharan and had been working with a local clinic in Butwal on a campaign to spread awareness about oral health.

His sudden death has left the local community in shock. People in the neighbourhood described him as kind-hearted and friendly, the report said.

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How his family reacted

Sudip’s uncle, Dadhiraj Neupane, who lives in Kathmandu, said no mother should have to bear the pain of returning home without her son.

Speaking to Hindustan Times, he said, “She is devastated by the loss of her son. She was planning to get him married after his studies.”

The family is preparing to hold Sudip’s final rites at a cremation site in Butwal on Thursday.

Nepal’s Foreign Minister, in an official statement, said, “I am deeply saddened by the news of the death of Nepali citizen Sudip Neupane of Butwal-11, Kalikanagar, Rupandehi, in the terrorist attack that took place in Pahalgam, Kashmir yesterday. I pay my heartfelt tributes to him and express my deepest condolences to his family.”

She further said, “I also wish a speedy recovery to his mother, who was injured in the terrorist attack. We have also received news that they have arrived for a visit. Condemning such a cruel and inhuman act is not enough. The Government of Nepal condemns this incident and stands with the Government of India and the people of India in this hour of grief. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is in touch for further information about the incident.”

Several senior leaders in Nepal, including President Ramchandra Paudel, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, and Minister Arzu Rana Deuba, expressed their condolences. Prime Minister Oli also spoke with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to convey Nepal’s grief and support.

India’s 5-step response to Pakistan

India announced a series of strong measures against Pakistan on Wednesday in response to the Pahalgam terror attack. The steps include the suspension of a key treaty and the reduction of diplomatic ties.

The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, decided to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 with immediate effect.

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Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said the decision would remain in place until Pakistan takes clear and irreversible steps to stop supporting terrorism across the border.

The Integrated Check Post at Attari has also been shut down with immediate effect.

Pakistani citizens will no longer be allowed to travel to India under the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) visa exemption scheme. Any SPES (Special Permission for Entry and Stay) visas issued earlier to Pakistani nationals are now considered cancelled.

Those currently in India on SPES visas have been given 48 hours to leave the country. Anyone who entered India through valid documents may return via the same route by May 1, Misri said.

India will also pull back its defence, naval, and air advisors from its High Commission in Islamabad. In return, Pakistan’s military and defence advisors in its High Commission in Delhi have been declared persona non grata and must leave within a week.

The number of staff at both High Commissions will be cut down to 30.

The Resistance Front (TRF) , a group tied to Lashkar-e-Taiba, has claimed responsibility for the attack.

This is among the deadliest civilian attacks in the country in nearly two decades. Security forces have started a search operation to track those involved.

Security has also been tightened in the region, with video footage showing empty streets in the normally busy tourist area.

With inputs from agencies