New Delhi, April 22: As India marked the first anniversary of the Pahalgam terror attack, President Droupadi Murmu paid tribute to the victims and reaffirmed the country’s unwavering commitment to peace, unity and the fight against terrorism.
The 2025 attack in Pahalgam claimed the lives of 26 civilians, including tourists and a local pony ride operator, in one of the most severe civilian-targeted terror incidents in recent years. The assault, carried out on April 22, involved armed attackers who selectively targeted victims after questioning their religion.
The President, in a message shared on social media platform X, remembered the victims and extended condolences to the bereaved families. She said the tragic loss of innocent lives remains deeply etched in the national memory, while the country continues to stand with the affected families.
Reiterating India’s position, she stated that acts of terror cannot weaken the nation’s resolve to maintain peace and unity, and affirmed continued efforts to eliminate terrorism in all its forms.
Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan also paid tribute to those killed in the attack, describing the incident as a brutal act of violence that left a lasting impact on the national conscience. He extended solidarity with the families of the victims and said their loss would be remembered.
The attack was carried out by The Resistance Front, an offshoot of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba. Reports indicated that victims were identified and targeted after being asked about their religion, with some being forced to recite religious declarations.
Among those killed were newly married couples and individuals shot at close range in front of their families, making the incident one of the most disturbing terror attacks targeting civilians in recent memory.
In response, Indian armed forces launched Operation Sindoor on May 6 and 7, conducting targeted strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The operation was described as precise and measured, aimed at neutralising high-value terrorist assets while avoiding escalation.
Officials associated with national security described the operation as part of India’s broader counter-terror framework, combining strategic and military responses to reinforce a policy of zero tolerance towards terrorism while maintaining operational restraint.
The anniversary has once again brought national attention to the attack and its aftermath, reinforcing the country’s continued focus on counter-terror preparedness and remembrance of civilian lives lost.
