Srinagar, Apr 22 (KNO): Leaders across the country on Wednesday paid homage to the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack on its first anniversary and expressed solidarity with their families, with several blaming Pakistan for backing terrorism in Kashmir.
In a post on X, PM Modi, according to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said the victims “will never be forgotten,” describing the April 22, 2025 attack as a tragedy that continues to weigh on the nation’s conscience and asserted that the country will not bow to any form of terror.
"Remembering the innocent lives lost in the gruesome Pahalgam terror attack on this day last year. They will never be forgotten. My thoughts are also with the bereaved families as they cope with this loss," he said in a post on X.
"As a nation, we stand united in grief and resolve. India will never bow to any form of terror. The heinous designs of terrorists will never succeed," the Prime Minister added.
Meanwhile, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also paid tribute to the victims, describing it as a “cowardly” act that claimed innocent lives.
In a post on social media, he said: “Remembering and paying my heartfelt tributes to the innocent people who lost their lives in the cowardly terror attack at Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir on 22 April 2025. We share the enduring pain of their loved ones and families. We will never forget those wounds inflicted on our nation.”
Singh added that India has faced decades of cross-border terrorism, but its response has now become “firm, decisive and unwavering”.
He said the country’s actions have demonstrated that any attempt to harm citizens or disrupt national unity will be met with “strength and clarity”.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah also paid tributes to the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack, saying the nation continues to share the grief of the families who lost their loved ones in the incident.
In a post on X, HM Shah said, “On this day, we solemnly remember the innocent lives we lost in the horrific Pahalgam terror attack last year. The grief and pain of losing our people still remain in the hearts of every Indian.”
“Terrorism is the greatest enemy of humanity, against which we must stand united to fight and defeat. India will continue its zero-tolerance policy against terrorism and those who harbour it,” he said.
President Droupadi Murmu also expressed her deepest condolences to the families of the victims on the first anniversary of the Pahalgam terror attack, asserting that such acts of violence would not weaken India's commitment to peace.
President Murmu, in a post on X, said, "I pay heartfelt tribute to the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack. The tragic loss of innocent lives in that heinous act remains etched in our collective memory. I express my deepest condolences to the bereaved families. The entire nation stands with them. Such acts of terror cannot deter our unwavering commitment to peace and unity. We remain resolute in our determination to defeat terrorism everywhere in all its forms."
Vice-President CP Radhakrishnan reaffirmed the country's resolve to fight terrorism in all its forms, marking one year since the deadly incident that claimed 26 lives.
Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi while paying his respects to the victims said that the country will never forgive those responsible for this dastardly act, and the grief of the martyrs' families is the grief of us all.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge in his message said that the nation remains united, resilient, and determined against terrorism as India marked the first anniversary of the tragedy that claimed the lives of 26 tourists.
Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra called it a "cowardly" act and asserted that India will "neither forget nor forgive the criminals".
In a post on X, Priyanka Gandhi expressed grief over the killing of innocent and unarmed civilians in the attack, describing it as a "crime against humanity" and reaffirming the country's collective stand against terrorism.
"Heartfelt tribute and salutations to all the brave Indians martyred in the cowardly terrorist attack in Pahalgam. In this attack, our unarmed and innocent people were brutally killed, which was a crime against humanity. India will neither forget it nor forgive the criminals who did so. The whole of India has always stood united against violence and terrorism and will continue to do so. Jai Hind!" Wayanad MP wrote in her post.
Pertinently, on April 22 last year, terrorists killed 26 people, mostly tourists, in Pahalgam in south Kashmir, triggering nationwide outrage.
In response, India launched a military operation on May 7, targeting and destroying multiple terror infrastructure sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) under 'Operation Sindoor.'—(KNO)