New Delhi/Srinagar: Condemning the terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that those behind the heinous act will be brought to justice.
In a post on X, the prime minister said, “I strongly condemn the terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. I pray that the injured recover at the earliest. All possible assistance is being provided to those affected.”
He added “Those behind this heinous act will be brought to justice… they will not be spared! Their evil agenda will never succeed. Our resolve to fight terrorism is unshakable and it will get even stronger.”
Modi spoke to Home Minister Amit Shah following the attack and asked him to take all suitable steps to deal with the situation.
President Droupadi Murmu termed the attack on tourists as shocking and painful, and said that this dastardly inhuman act of targeting innocent citizens was unpardonable.
She also offered heartfelt condolences to the families who have lost their dear ones and prayed for the quick recovery of the injured.
“The terrorist attack on tourists in Pahalgam of Jammu and Kashmir is shocking and painful. It is a dastardly and inhuman act which must be condemned unequivocally. “Attacking innocent citizens, in this case tourists, is utterly appalling and unpardonable. My heartfelt condolences to the families who have lost their dear ones and my prayers for the quick recovery of the injured,” Murmu said in a post on X.
Currently on India visit, US Vice President J D Vance and Second Lady Usha Chilukuri extended condolences to the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack.
“Usha and I extend our condolences to the victims of the devastating terrorist attack in Pahalgam, India,” Vance, who is currently on a visit to India, said in a post on X.
“Over the past few days, we have been overcome with the beauty of this country and its people. Our thoughts and prayers are with them as they mourn this horrific attack,” he said.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice.
“I strongly condemn the cowardly terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam. I assure the people that those behind this despicable attack will not go unpunished,” the LG said in a post on X.
He said he has spoken to the director general of police and other security officials, and that teams of the Army and police have been rushed to the area to launch search operations.
“Directed the district administration and the health officials to provide immediate medical attention to those admitted at Pahalgam. An injured tourist has been evacuated to GMC Anantnag. I pray for the speedy recovery of all the injured,” he added.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also condemned the attack, saying it is an abomination.
“I’m shocked beyond belief. This attack on our visitors is an abomination. The perpetrators of this attack are animals, inhuman and worthy of contempt. No words of condemnation are enough. I send my sympathies to the families of the deceased,” he said in a post on X.
Abdullah said he has spoken to his ministerial colleague, Sakina Itoo, who has reached the hospital to oversee the arrangements for the injured.
“I’ll be flying back to Srinagar immediately,” the chief minister, who was in Jammu, added.
He also said the attack is “much larger than anything we have seen” directed at civilians in recent years.
“The death toll is still being ascertained so I don’t want to get into those details. They will be officially conveyed as the situation becomes clearer. Needless to say this attack is much larger than anything we’ve seen directed at civilians in recent years,” he said.
People’s Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti said such attacks must be denounced.
“I strongly condemn the cowardly attack on tourists in Pahalgam, which tragically killed five and injured several as being reported for now. Such violence is unacceptable and must be denounced,” she said in a post on X.
The former chief minister said historically, Kashmir has welcomed tourists warmly, making this rare incident deeply concerning, and called for a thorough investigation.
“A thorough investigation is needed to bring the perpetrators to justice and examine potential security lapses. Ensuring visitor safety is paramount, and steps must be taken to prevent future attacks. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families,” she added.
People’s Conference chief Sajad Gani Lone said the perpetrators of the attack are the worst enemies of Kashmiris.
“Condemn strongly the dastardly and cowardly attack in Pahalgam. For decades we have been identified with being great hosts. We have a history of hospitality. And some cowardly terrorists want to destroy it all,” he said in a post on X.
Lone said the tourism industry here has suffered a lot and those involved in the sector have begun to restart their lives after a long time.
“They had begun to dream. And here are the ugly villains to shatter it all. Make no mistake. These terror attacks are aimed at yet again disempowering us economically. Those who do this are the worst enemies of Kashmiris.
“They defile our history of hospitality, smearing our glorious past. And they are a curse on our present. They are enemies of our children of our young generation. We have to unitedly send a message that there is no tolerance for terror. Let us live our lives in peace and economic dignity. Please get out of our lives. These tourists are our revered guests,” Lone said.
Senior CPI(M) leader M Y Tarigami termed the attack an inhuman act.
“Condemning the dastardly attack on tourists in Pahalgam. The inhuman act of violence deserves to be denounced in the strongest terms. Such cowardly attacks on innocent civilians have no place in any civilised society,” he said.
Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said such violence is unacceptable.
“Deeply disturbing news from Pahalgam of a cowardly attack on tourists that has resulted in tragic loss of life. Such violence is unacceptable and against the ethos of Kashmir which welcomes visitors with love and warmth. Condemn it strongly. Thoughts and prayers with the families of victims and wishing speedy recovery to the injured,” the Mirwaiz said in a post on X.
Calling it a “tragic and unfortunate incident”, Jammu and Kashmir BJP president Sat Sharma said the attack was carried out at the behest of Pakistan, targeting innocent visitors who had come to the Union Territory to experience its natural beauty.
“This is heartbreaking. The tourists had visited Vaishno Devi and later decided to explore scenic destinations like Pahalgam. Such acts of violence should not happen, especially when people come here in peace,” Sharma said.
Expressing his concern for those injured in the attack, Sharma prayed for their speedy recovery and assured that the terrorists responsible would not be spared.
“Those involved will be eliminated one by one. They will face the consequences of their actions,” he said.
Sharma further alleged that Pakistan-backed elements are once again attempting to disrupt peace in Kashmir.
“After trying to create unrest in Kashmir, they encouraged violence in Jammu. When pressure increased in Jammu, incidents began resurfacing in the Valley,” he added.
Sharma noted that the attack comes just as the tourism season is beginning in Kashmir, when the local economy heavily depends on visitors.
“This is a deliberate attempt to derail the tourism season, which is crucial for the livelihood of many in Kashmir. But such conspiracies will not succeed,” he stated.
He reaffirmed that terrorism would be crushed with an iron hand.
Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) Chief Tariq Hameed Karra called it a “dastardly and disturbing incident”.
Reacting strongly over the attack ahead of Amarnath Yatra, Karra expressed grave concern over the worsening security situation and called for more effective measures to strengthen the security network.
He said the situation has worsened in the past couple of years and terror networks have spread in most parts of Jammu region, which was almost normal in the last two decades.
The Central government was cautioned time and again to control the worsening situation by further strengthening the security grip and taking on board political parties and the elected government to adopt a more effective counter-terrorism strategy, Karra said.
He reiterated the demand for an all-party meet to discuss the security situation.
The party expressed solidarity with the terror attack victims and their families and prayed for early recovery of the injured.
In Delhi, the Congress party said the terror attack on innocent tourists in Pahalgam is a blot on humanity and the government should take accountability instead of making hollow claims about normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir.
“I strongly condemn the cowardly terror attack on innocent tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir. The entire nation is united in fighting the scourge of cross-border terrorism,” Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said in a post on X.
“These dastardly targeted attacks are a blot on humanity. News reports indicate that precious lives have been lost. On behalf of the Congress party, my heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims. Our thoughts and prayers are with the injured.
“India’s National Security is paramount and we urge the GOI to take corrective measures to ensure the same,” he said.
Rahul Gandhi said the news of tourists being killed and injured in the cowardly terrorist attack in Pahalgam is extremely condemnable and heartbreaking.
“I express my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and hope for the speedy recovery of the injured,” he said.
“The whole country is united against terrorism. Instead of making hollow claims on the situation being normal in Jammu and Kashmir, the government should now take accountability and take concrete steps so that such barbaric incidents do not happen in the future and innocent Indians do not lose their lives like this,” he said.
Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also denounced the attack as a highly condemnable and shameful act.
“Targeting unarmed and innocent civilians is a crime against humanity. This is completely unacceptable. The whole country stands united against terrorism and strongly condemns it,” she said in a post on X in Hindi.
“According to reports, many tourists have been killed in this attack. May God grant peace to the departed souls. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured,” she said.
Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla also condoled the killing of tourists.
In a post on X, Dhankhar said, “Deeply anguished by the horrific terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Such acts of violence are reprehensible and deserve our strongest condemnation. My thoughts and prayers are with the affected families in this hour of grief.”
Speaker Birla termed the terrorists’ act “cowardly” while condemning the horrific incident.
“My condolences are with the families of the civilians who lost their lives in this attack. I pray to God to grant peace to the departed souls and speedy recovery to the injured,” he wrote on X.
Several Union ministers and chief ministers of various states also condemned the killings.
