Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], April 23 (ANI): Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, while holding Pakistan responsible for the Pahalgam terror attack, called it a 'conspiracy' and an attack on the countrymen. Shinde claimed that while the terrorists killed people 'selectively,' and asked for people's religion, the Indian Army will 'avenge blood with blood and brick with stones.'

'This is a very unfortunate incident. This terrorist attack is a conspiracy by Pakistan. This is an attack on the countrymen; this is an attack on Hindustan. I strongly condemn it. Those who have attacked fired bullets by asking the religion of individuals,' the Deputy Chief Minister said in Mumbai during a press conference.

Expressing anger over the terrorists' action, he said that India will be 'entering Pakistan' just like the Uri surgical strike in September 2016.

'They have killed people selectively, but our soldiers will not kill them one by one, but all at once, and will avenge blood with blood and brick with stones; they will have to bear the brunt of it. Just like the surgical strike was done, similarly, this is the new India, which is going to enter Pakistan and kill those involved in it. The Union Home Minister has just reached there, the HM and the PM will not spare Pakistan,' Eknath Shinde said.

Shinde has requested Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu to arrange a special flight to evacuate stranded tourists from Maharashtra.

Responding to the appeal, the Union Minister assured Shinde that once the list of stranded individuals is shared with the Ministry, efforts will be initiated to transport them to Mumbai as a priority.

'Five tourists from Maharashtra lost their lives in the recent attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde had a phone conversation with Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu regarding arrangements to bring them back to the state. During the conversation, Shinde requested Naidu to arrange a special flight to bring back the tourists,' the statement read.

Among the five deceased in the attack, three persons hailed from the Dombivali area of Thane district of the state, said the District Information Officer of Thane.

The deceased have been identified as Hemant Joshi, Sanjay Lele and Atul Mone. Apart from these casualties, several tourists hailing from Maharashtra were also injured during the attack.

Meanwhile, the Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police have launched a search operation in the general area of Baisran, Pahalgam, Anantnag, to nab the perpetrators of the attack.

The Delhi Police has also been instructed to keep a close watch on tourist places and other important places. (ANI)