Kashmir , April 27, 2025 – In a somber address during the 121st Mann Ki Baat broadcast, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed the collective outrage and grief of 1.4 billion Indians over the devastating terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed 26 lives, including 25 tourists and one local. The attack, which struck Baisaran in Anantnag district on April 22, 2025, has ignited national fury and prompted a resolute pledge from the Prime Minister to deliver justice to the victims’ families.
Describing the assault as a “despicable act of cowardice,” Modi accused “enemies of peace” of targeting Kashmir’s resurgence as a hub of tourism and economic vitality. “The Pahalgam attack has wounded the heart of every Indian. From every corner of the nation, there is sympathy for the victims’ families and anger against those who seek to disrupt our unity,” he said. He vowed that the perpetrators and their conspirators would face severe consequences, assuring the nation, “Justice will be served. Those responsible will be pursued relentlessly.”
The attack’s timing, Modi noted, was a deliberate attempt to derail the region’s progress. “Kashmir is witnessing a new dawn—tourism is flourishing, youth are finding opportunities, and peace is taking root. This brutality was meant to shatter that hope,” he said. He emphasized India’s unity as its greatest asset, adding that global leaders, including US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, have extended solidarity in condemning the attack.
The Pahalgam massacre has escalated India-Pakistan tensions, with India pointing to Pakistan’s alleged role. Diplomatic fallout includes India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, closure of the Attari Integrated Check Post, and expulsion of Pakistani nationals on SAARC visas. Pakistan’s claim of the attack being a “false flag” has been sharply rebuffed by New Delhi. In response, India has demolished the homes of 10 terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir, and the Cabinet Committee on Security, chaired by PM Modi, has outlined retaliatory measures.
Home Minister Amit Shah has ordered heightened security nationwide, while the Border Security Force paid tribute to the victims with a muted retreat ceremony at the India-Pakistan border. Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal has called for a special parliamentary session to address security lapses, and the National Human Rights Commission has stressed accountability and support for victims’ families. Globally, the Indian diaspora has protested outside Pakistan’s high commission in London, demanding justice.
Modi, who cut short his Saudi Arabia visit to manage the crisis, reiterated India’s resolve to combat terrorism. “The world stands with us, but it is our unity and strength that will defeat these forces,” he said. As the nation mourns, the Pahalgam attack has galvanized calls for a robust response, with the government signaling zero tolerance for terrorism.
