J&K Marks First Anniversary of Pahalgam Terror Attack

Across the Union Territory, the day was marked by remembrance, reflection and renewed commitment to peace, as the nation stood united in honouring those who lost their lives in one of the deadliest civilian-targeted terror attacks in recent years.

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha paid tribute to the victims, remembering the innocent lives lost in the attack that shook J&K and the rest of the country on April 22, 2025. In a message shared on 'X', the Lt. Governor said, “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.”

Sinha added that thoughts and prayers remained with the bereaved families, as J&K remembered a tragedy that left a deep scar on the collective conscience of the region.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also paid homage to the victims and reiterated the government’s unwavering commitment to combating terrorism and violence. In a post on 'X', the Chief Minister emphasised unity and resolve, stating, “One year on, we remain united against terror & against violence. We remain resolute in our desire to rid J&K of suffering & innocent deaths. We remain committed to doing everything to ensure it never happens again.”

Expressing solidarity with the families of the victims, the Chief Minister added that the people of J&K stood with them in grief and remembrance, praying for peace for the departed souls.

Later, speaking to reporters, the Chief Minister described the anniversary as a deeply painful day for the region. Recalling the circumstances of the attack, the Chief Minister said the victims were ordinary people who had come to Pahalgam to spend their holidays, only to be targetted by terrorists. The tragedy, the Chief Minister noted, continues to weigh heavily on the people of J&K, with the sense of loss still raw even a year later. “We are still in the grief,” the Chief Minister said, underscoring the lasting emotional impact of the attack.

Reaffirming the government’s stance, Abdullah said that immediately after the incident a firm decision had been taken to strengthen preventive and security measures. That resolve, the Chief Minister stressed, remains unchanged. Preventing such attacks in the future, the Chief Minister added, is a shared responsibility, requiring coordinated efforts by the elected government, the central government and the law-and-order machinery. Only through collective action and sustained vigilance, the Chief Minister said, can the goal of ensuring that such tragedies never recur be achieved.

Former Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad also took to social media platforms to pay homage to the victims. He said, “One year after the heinous terror attack in #Pahalgam, we remember with deep sorrow the 25 innocent tourists and the brave local resident who were killed in this brutal act of violence.” He added that the attack not only targetted civilians but also “struck at the very soul of Kashmir and all that it stands for. Yet, Kashmir has remained resilient and united in its pursuit of peace, justice and the complete eradication of terrorism. As we pay homage to those we lost, we also look ahead with hope for a future free from such acts of terror."

Kashmir's chief Muslim cleric Mirwaiz Muhammad Umar Farooq said, "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, and unfortunately always will. These dates in our calendar every year reopen our wounds to similar tragedies witnessed by us in the last three decades at Gaw Kadal, Zakoora, Hawal, Sopore, Wandhama, Chittisinghpura, to name a few."

He added, "Thousands of precious human lives lost to the conflict. Yet the faith and aspiration of the people of Jammu Kashmir in non violence and lasting peace with dignity through talks, remains unwavering. We hope and pray that such gruesome events are forever a thing of the past. Ameen".

The Pahalgam terror attack remains among the most brutal assaults on civilians in J&K in recent years. As the Union Territory marked its first anniversary, the observance served not only as a tribute to the victims but also as a reminder of the enduring challenge of terrorism and the shared determination to secure peace and safety for all.