ISTANBUL

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said those behind Tuesday’s attack in Indian-administrated Kashmir will face the "harshest response," assuring families of the victims that they “will get justice,” the ANI news agency reported.

"Today, as I talk my heart out with you, there is a deep agony in my heart ... the Pahalgam attack of April 22 has left every citizen of the country heartbroken,” Modi said on his radio show Mann Ki Baat.

He said the assault was an attempt to disrupt the peace in Kashmir.

"Once again, I assure the victims' families that they will get justice. The conspirators and perpetrators of this attack will face the harshest response," he added.

Unidentified gunmen killed 26 victims in Pahalgam, Indian-administered Kashmir, on Tuesday.

Since then, tensions have risen between India and Pakistan, which have fought two of their three wars over Kashmir, which is split between them but claimed by both in its entirety.

Saying that the attack had cross-border links, India suspended a 1960 water-sharing treaty and closed their only operational land border crossing. It also revoked visas issued to Pakistani nationals.

Islamabad, however, distanced itself from the attack, saying it was "concerned" and extended condolences to the victims' families.

Pakistan canceled visas issued to Indian nationals, closed its airspace for all Indian-owned or Indian-operated airlines and halted all trade with India.

Islamabad also warned that any Indian attempt to stop or divert the flow of water would be considered an “act of war."