President Draupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday led the nation to pay tribute to the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack on its first anniversary, with leaders from across parties reiterating India’s resolve to fight terrorism.
As the country marked the first anniversary of the April 22, 2025, attack in Pahalgam, Union ministers and opposition leaders recalled the killing of 26 people, most of them tourists, and asserted that India will never bow to terrorism or allow attempts to disrupt unity.
The attack, carried out by the Pakistan-based LeT, sparked a four-day military conflict with Pakistan after Indian armed forces launched retaliatory strikes under Operation Sindoor targeting cross-border terror infrastructure.
President Draupadi Murmu said: “Such acts of terrorism cannot deter our steadfast commitment to peace and unity.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said: “Remembering the innocent lives lost in the horrific terror attack in Pahalgam on this day last year. They will never be forgotten… As a nation, we stand united in grief and resolve. India will never bow to any form of terrorism. The heinous designs of terrorists will never succeed.”
The Indian Army reiterated its “strong resolve” to combat terrorism, noting that for actions against India, “response is guaranteed.”
Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi said that the nation will neither forget the victims nor forgive the perpetrators. “The martyrdom of these sons of the nation will forever remain etched in the soul of India. The entire nation stood united against terrorism and violence then, stands united now, and will remain so forever,” he said.
Vice President CP Radhakrishnan said such actions could not shake the country’s resolve to uphold peace, unity and humanity. He added: “We remain steadfast in our determination to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.”
Federal Home Minister Amit Shah reiterated the government’s policy of zero tolerance towards terrorism. “Terrorism is the greatest enemy of humanity, and we must stand united against it to fight and defeat it. India will continue its zero-tolerance policy against terrorism and those who harbor it,” he said.
Defense Minister Rajnath Singh said: “India has suffered from cross-border terrorism for decades, but today our response is firm, decisive and consistent.”
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said the day continues to weigh heavily on the region. He said: “We pay tribute to the innocent lives lost in a senseless act of terrorism. We stand in solidarity with their grieving families.”
US Ambassador to India Sergio Gore also paid tribute. “On the first anniversary of the horrific attack in Pahalgam, we remember the innocent victims and honor their memory as we grieve with their families. The United States stands with the people of India in their fight against terrorism,” he said.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar reiterated his country’s solidarity with India, and praised the victims of the tragedy. “On behalf of the State of Israel, one year after the Pahalgam terrorist attack, we honor the memory of the innocent lives lost and stand with their families in grief,” he said on the X programme.
In a post on
In a post on X, the British High Commission in India wrote: “We express our respect… Our thoughts remain with all those affected.”
On the occasion of the first anniversary of the horrific attack, the European Union paid tribute to the 26 victims. “We reiterate our clear condemnation of terrorism in all its forms,” the EU in India said in its X post.
(With inputs from PTI)
