The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, during a special session, observed a two-minute silence to pay homage to the 26 innocent lives lost in the horrific terrorist attack at Baisaran, Pahalgam. Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather led the House in expressing deep sorrow and condemned the brutal killing of tourists who had come from different parts of the country to enjoy Kashmir’s beauty.
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families who have suffered such an unimaginable loss,” said Speaker Rather.
Following the solemn tribute, the Assembly unanimously passed a resolution expressing profound shock and anguish over the incident. The session was adjourned sine die after the resolution’s adoption.
Urgent Need to Strengthen Tourist Safety and Security
Speaker Rather emphasized the urgent necessity for the government and all legislators to work together to create a secure and welcoming environment for tourists and non-locals.
“This House must honor the victims by ensuring that their sacrifices lead to stronger unity and a safer Jammu and Kashmir,” he declared, urging immediate actions to bolster the safety measures for tourists, residents, and students from outside the Union Territory.
Rather also criticized the heinous act of terrorism, calling it a “shameful scar” on the region’s image, and reaffirmed the Assembly’s commitment to promoting communal harmony and peace.
Deputy Chief Minister Presents Resolution Condemning Attack
Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary moved the resolution that condemned the barbaric attack on the tourists, terming it “inhuman” and “barbaric.” The resolution, passed unanimously by a voice vote, reinforced the Assembly’s determination to combat terrorism and preserve the spirit of unity across Jammu and Kashmir.
Omar Abdullah’s Emotional Address: “Our Responsibility, Our Grief”
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, delivering a deeply emotional 27-minute speech, stated that the spontaneous public outrage following the Pahalgam attack symbolized the beginning of the end of terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.
He refrained from politicizing the tragedy by demanding statehood, saying, “This is not the time for politics; it is a time for unity and healing.” Abdullah accepted personal responsibility, acknowledging that as Tourism Minister and Chief Minister, he had invited the tourists but tragically could not ensure their safe return.
Public Outrage: A Turning Point Against Terrorism
The chief minister highlighted the spontaneous protests across the Union Territory — from Kathua to Kupwara — where people chanted “Not in My Name,” rejecting the terrorists’ actions.
“For the first time in 26 years, I witnessed such unified condemnation across regions, religions, and communities,” Abdullah remarked, emphasizing that true peace can only be achieved through the collective support of the people, not merely by security operations.
He declared that the spontaneous outrage among ordinary citizens showed that the collective conscience of Jammu and Kashmir rejects terrorism.
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Facing the Terrorists’ False Narratives
Abdullah directly confronted The Resistance Front (TRF), the terror group claiming responsibility for the attack, rejecting their claims about demographic change.
“Did we ask for this tragedy? No!” Abdullah thundered, asserting that the entire population stood against the ideology of violence.
Naming each victim — from a Navy officer from Haryana to a tourist from Kerala — Abdullah personalized the pain, underlining that the attack was an assault on the very soul of Jammu and Kashmir.
Stories of Bravery and Humanity Amidst Tragedy
Chief Minister Abdullah also highlighted the stories of heroism that emerged during the attack. He paid tribute to Syed Adil Hussain Shah, a ponywallah from Anantnag, who sacrificed his life protecting tourists.
He shared stories of a local guide who refused to abandon a stranded tourist family, a vendor offering free food, and hoteliers who sheltered tourists without expecting anything in return — shining examples of Kashmir’s true spirit of compassion and hospitality.
Assembly Session: A Unique Mourning Ground
Abdullah stressed that the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly understood the pain of terrorism better than any other legislative body. He recalled the numerous personal losses suffered by many MLAs due to terror attacks over the decades, including the deadly 2001 Assembly attack in Srinagar.
“This Assembly carries the scars of terrorism in its very fabric,” he noted, explaining why a special session was necessary to honor the victims.
Leader of Opposition: Faith in Leadership and Justice
Leader of the Opposition, Sunil Sharma, expressed confidence that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership would ensure that justice is served. Speaking during the special session, Sharma said, “We must have full faith that the sacrifices made by the 26 victims will not go unanswered.”
He praised the unity demonstrated across Jammu and Kashmir following the attack and called for safeguarding this unity against any attempts to divide the society on communal lines.
Rejecting Terrorism and Preserving Communal Harmony
Sunil Sharma appreciated Chief Minister Abdullah’s outreach efforts post-attack and lauded the all-party meeting convened to express solidarity. He emphasized that in these trying times, a united voice is crucial to defeating the divisive tactics of terrorists.
“Pakistan’s attempts to disturb peace through such conspiracies will not succeed,” Sharma asserted, urging citizens not to let their language hurt the morale of the security forces.
Read also: 25 Years of Terror in Jammu & Kashmir: From Chattisinghpora to Pahalgam Terrorist Attack
The Pahalgam terrorist attack stands as a somber reminder of the fragility of peace but also highlights the strength that lies in unity.
