Sri Lanka searches flight over Pahalgam attack tip

Colombo

Sri Lankan police searched a SriLankan Airlines flight arriving from Chennai after receiving a tip about a suspect involved in the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. The intelligence came from the Chennai Area Control Centre, prompting immediate action at Colombo’s Bandaranaike International Airport.

Flight UL 122 landed at 11:59 a.m. on Saturday and was subjected to a complete inspection coordinated with local authorities. After a thorough check, the aircraft was cleared for regular operations.

The search aimed to locate a person wanted by Indian authorities in connection with the Pahalgam attack, which left 26 people dead, mostly tourists in Jammu and Kashmir.

According to Indian officials, the perpetrators included three Pakistani nationals. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on April 24, condemned the attack, declaring it an assault on India's identity. He vowed strict action against those involved.

Later, during a top-level defence meeting on April 29, PM Modi affirmed that India’s military has full operational freedom to respond, including determining timing and targets.

Sri Lankan officials did not confirm whether the suspect was on the flight or apprehended. However, the swift and cooperative response between Indian and Sri Lankan authorities underscored heightened regional vigilance against terror threats.

Security remains on high alert in both countries, especially following India’s firm stance on retaliation. The investigation into the Pahalgam incident continues, with cross-border intelligence sharing becoming increasingly vital in the region’s anti-terrorism efforts.