Jammu/Srinagar (PTI) Political parties across the spectrum on Wednesday paid tributes to the 26 people who were gunned down by Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists in Pahalgam last year, describing the attack as a wound whose scars will never fully heal.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha took to X to pay homage to the victims.
“Humble tributes to the innocent souls who lost their lives in the gruesome terror attack in Pahalgam on this day in 2025. Their memory endures indelibly in our hearts. My thoughts and prayers are with their families,” the LG office posted.
Sinha said, “We will not forget. We will not forgive. This is our solemn vow. India stands unified against terrorism. We pledge unwavering commitment and resolute determination to eradicate terrorism from the soil of Jammu and Kashmir.”
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also paid tributes, asserting that the Union Territory remains united against terror.
“One year on, we remain united against terror and violence. We remain resolute in our desire to rid J&K of suffering and innocent deaths. We remain committed to doing everything to ensure it never happens again,” he said.
Expressing solidarity with the bereaved families, Abdullah said preventing a repeat of such a tragedy remains a top priority. He stressed coordinated efforts between the elected government, the Centre and law enforcement agencies to ensure lasting peace.
“We pay tribute to the innocent lives lost in a senseless act of terror. They had come only to spend their holidays, yet were mercilessly targeted and killed. Even today, we stand in solidarity with their grieving families,” he added.
Kashmir’s chief cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq also expressed solidarity with the victims’ families.
“On the first anniversary of the Pahalgam terror attack, we remember with deep sorrow those who lost their lives and stand in solidarity with their families, who continue to bear the pain of this tragedy,” he said, adding that such incidents reopen old wounds in Jammu and Kashmir.
Union minister Jitendra Singh said that the memory of the brutal killings continues to evoke deep sorrow.
“India will never bow before any form of terror. These cowardly acts of violence will never succeed. We will remember, we will stand united, and we will emerge even stronger,” he said.
Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee president Tariq Hameed Karra said the anniversary is marked by a continuing sense of anguish, and called for reflection and course correction in governance.
AICC general secretary Ghulam Ahmad Mir said terrorism would not break the spirit of the people and reaffirmed the commitment to build a peaceful and secure future.
Former chief minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said the attack had “shaken the very essence of Kashmir,” but added that the region has remained resilient in its pursuit of peace.
“One year after the heinous terror attack in Pahalgam, we remember with deep sorrow the innocent tourists and a brave local resident killed in this brutal act,” he said.
The BJP observed the day as a “black day” and held rallies in Anantnag and Jammu. Party leaders paid homage to the victims, reiterating the country’s firm stance against terrorism.
In Jammu, BJP leaders led by J&K unit president and MP Sat Sharma gathered at Maharaja Hari Singh Park and offered tributes. They asserted that India has demonstrated its resolve to defend itself decisively against any threat.
Speaking on the occasion, Sharma said that the entire nation was remembering those who laid down their lives. He asserted that India has conveyed to the world that while it does not strike first, it knows how to defend itself when required.
People’s Conference chief and Handwara MLA Sajad Lone said the scars of the Pahalgam attack will remain.
“The scars will always remain. How innocent blood was spilt. Let us hope and strive for a peaceful J&K. Let us hope the scourge of terror is eradicated from our lands for all times to come. My humble homage to those who were martyred,” he said.
Sharing similar sentiments, Apni Party chief Altaf Bukhari on X said, “Even today, the pain and sense of loss are felt strongly. On this day, as we mark its anniversary, I bow my head in deep respect and offer my heartfelt tribute to every soul we lost.”
Various organisations, including Shiv Sena (UBT), Dogra Front Shiv Sena, Traders Federation Warehouse, VHP, Bajrang Dal, and several social and educational groups organised prayer meetings, protests and tribute programmes across Jammu and Kashmir to honour the victims.
Former DGP S P Vaid said the country stands united in remembering the victims and reaffirmed India’s zero-tolerance policy against terrorism.
PTI