Pahalgam Terror Attack: PM Modi Vows Ruthless Action; Nation Unites in Grief and Resolve
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking at an event in Madhubani, Bihar, on National Panchayati Raj Day, addressed the nation’s anguish over the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir. He assured that those behind the attack would face consequences “beyond their imagination,” declaring a firm and unrelenting stance against terrorism.
In response to the April 22 tragedy that claimed 26 lives and left many injured, the central government has scheduled an all-party meeting for April 24 at 6 p.m. Senior ministers, including Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, have begun contacting political leaders across the spectrum to gather support and discuss further actions.
As a direct consequence of the cross-border involvement suspected in the attack, India has initiated several strong diplomatic measures. These include suspending the Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan, expelling Pakistani military officials, and closing the Attari land border transit post. The government has also barred Pakistani nationals from traveling to India under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme, originally introduced to ease travel for diplomats, parliamentarians, journalists, and others within SAARC nations.
Tributes and Grief Across States
In Gujarat, three victims from Bhavnagar and Surat — Yatish Parmar, his son Smit, and Shailesh Kalathiya — were laid to rest as large crowds joined their funeral processions. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel paid respects to the Parmars in Bhavnagar before their cremation.
In the Northeast, sorrow swept through Arunachal Pradesh after the death of Corporal Tage Hailyang of the Indian Air Force. Assam Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah received his body in Guwahati, expressing deep grief and urging an end to terrorism.
Evacuation Efforts and International Advisories
Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath condemned the brutal act, calling it an example of terrorism’s dying gasps. He reiterated the Centre’s zero-tolerance approach under PM Modi’s leadership.
Political Reactions and Controversies
Opposition leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge confirmed their attendance at the Centre’s all-party meeting, underscoring the unified political front. However, AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi criticized the government for allegedly excluding smaller parties from the dialogue, stating that all voices in Parliament deserve to be heard on national security issues.
Kerala BJP president Rajeev Chandrasekhar accused opposition parties like the Congress and CPI(M) of indirectly siding with terrorists by questioning the security setup in Pahalgam. Shiv Sena (UBT) echoed concerns about intelligence lapses and criticized the revocation of Article 370, claiming it hasn’t delivered peace to the region.
Congress leader Ghulam Ahmad Mir also pointed to serious lapses in security and intelligence, questioning why standard protective measures were missing at a known sensitive location.
As part of the emergency response, the Maharashtra government led by Deputy CM Eknath Shinde facilitated the return of 65 stranded tourists from Jammu and Kashmir. More evacuation flights are expected throughout the day.
The United States, meanwhile, has issued a “Do Not Travel” advisory for Jammu and Kashmir, citing the increased threat of violence in the region.
Humanitarian Coordination Amid Crisis
In a touching moment of coordination, Surat airport extended its operating hours to allow the landing of a delayed Air India Express flight carrying the remains of a terror victim and his family. The joint effort involved multiple agencies, including Air Traffic Control, airline staff, and airport authorities, to ensure the family could return home without further distress.
National Unity Against Terrorism
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, addressing the same gathering as PM Modi, emphasized national unity in combating terrorism. A moment of silence was also observed by the crowd in memory of the victims.
As India grapples with this profound loss, the nation remains united in its demand for justice and its determination to stand strong against any threat to its peace and sovereignty.