Mumbai, Apr 22 (PTI) Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Tuesday slammed Pakistan over the terrorist attack near Pahalgam town in Kashmir, saying there will be a reaction for action.

Armed terrorists came to Baisaran, a meadow ringed by dense pine forests near Pahalgam, and fired at tourists milling around eateries, taking pony rides or just picnicking, in which 26 persons, mostly tourists, were killed. The Resistance Front (TRF), a shadow group of the banned Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terror group, claimed responsibility.

Speaking at a party event late Tuesday night, Shinde said some tourists from Maharashtra were also attacked by terrorists there.

The deputy CM said he spoke to a girl named Pragati Jagtap, who told that her father and uncle were shot by the terrorists.

The Centre as well as the state government were trying to provide all the necessary assistance to the tourists from the state, he said.

“The girl said they (terrorists) came in police uniform and asked for the name and religion of her father and uncle….This is an attack by cowards,” he said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah will teach a lesson to the terrorists and Pakistan, who has been backing them, Shinde said.

“The game has been started by Pakistan, but we are confident that it will be ended by Indian jawans,” he added.

“Today’s India will end the existence of Pakistan. This is not a warning but our soldiers will do it. We have that confidence. This is the reply of New India. India will not be scared of this. It will enter Pakistan and teach them a lesson,” he said.

“There will be reaction to action, blood for blood, brick for a brick. Such is the valour of our soldiers. I am confident that we will not keep quiet without taking the PoK,” Shinde said. PTI PR NP