The prime minister has reiterated New Delhi’s call for justice for the victims as tensions with Islamabad rise
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to the victims of the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, on Sunday, condemning the loss of lives and reiterating New Delhi’s commitment to punish the perpetrators.
Speaking on the radio show Mann Ki Baat, the country’s leader started by expressing deep anguish over the slaughter, in which 26 tourists were gunned down while visiting a popular picnic spot on April 22.
It marked the second time in the last few days that Modi promised justice to the families of the victims. He vowed to pursue the murderers to the “end of the earth” during a political rally in Bihar state. Speaking in English – somewhat rare for him – he vowed that India would identify, trace, and punish every terrorist and their supporters.
“Today, as I talk my heart out with you, there is a deep agony in my heart. The Pahalgam terrorist attack of 22 April has left every citizen of the country heartbroken. Every Indian feels deep sympathy for the families of the victims. No matter which state one belongs to, no matter which language one speaks, I understand every citizen is seething with anger after seeing the images of the terrorist attack,” Modi said. “The conspirators and perpetrators of this attack will face the harshest response. The harshest punishment,” he reiterated.
The prime minister said the attack occurred at a time when peace, economic revival, and democracy were returning to Kashmir, and that the terrorists and their masterminds wanted to destroy the region once again. Kashmir has been a point of connection between India and Pakistan and has witnessed decades of violence and insurgencies. It has experienced relative stability in recent years, with the local economy improving due to increased tourist inflow.
“The entire world stands with the 1.4 billion Indians in our fight against terrorism. Once again, I assure the victims’ families that they will get justice. The conspirators and perpetrators of this attack will face the harshest response,” Modi added.
India has linked Pakistan to the fatal attack, accusing its neighbor of “support for cross-border terrorism” – a long-standing claim New Delhi has made in various international forums. In response to the attack, India suspended the significant Indus Waters Treaty, expelled Pakistani diplomats, closed its land border, and suspended visas for Pakistani citizens, effectively ordering them to leave Indian soil within a few days. Meanwhile, Indian security analysts suggested the government could be weighing various military options in retaliation.
Islamabad has denied involvement and announced tit-for-tat countermeasures. It also warned that if India follows through on its threat to block rivers, it would take this as “an act of war.” The Indus Waters Treaty governs the shared waters of one of the world’s biggest river systems, which affects millions of lives in both countries. India has never suspended the treaty before, even in times of open conflict.
