ADDRESSES NATION ON PAHALGAM TERROR ATTACK IN 121st  MANN KI BAAT, VOWS JUSTICE AND TOUGHEST REPLY

The victims of this attack will get justice. The spirit of 140 crore Indians will never be broken.

Narendra Modi Prime Minister of India

metro india news  I hyderabad

In a somber and resolute address during the 121st episode of his monthly radio program Mann Ki Baat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed profound grief over the devastating terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives on April 22, 2025. The attack, one of the deadliest in recent years, targeted tourists and civilians in the serene Baisaran meadow of Anantnag district, turning a picturesque destination into a scene of horror.

“My heart is in deep pain over the Pahalgam attack. Every Indian is seething with anger,” Modi said, his voice heavy with emotion. “The terrorist attack of April 22 has left every citizen heartbroken. I can feel that the blood of every Indian is on the boil after seeing the pictures of the terrorist attack.” The Prime Minister’s words reflected the collective anguish of a nation reeling from the loss of 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen, with several others injured in the brutal assault.

The attack, claimed by The Resistance Front (TRF), a Pakistan-based offshoot of the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba, has heightened tensions between India and Pakistan. Indian security agencies have linked the attack to a broader conspiracy, with sources suggesting it was orchestrated to destabilize India amid Pakistan’s internal economic and political crises. “This attack in Pahalgam reflects the frustration of those who patronize terrorism,” Modi stated. “At a time when peace was returning to Kashmir, when schools and colleges were vibrant, construction was accelerating, and tourism was booming, the enemies of the nation and Jammu and Kashmir could not tolerate it.”

Modi’s address was not just an expression of grief but a clarion call for unity and action. He emphasized that the solidarity of 1.4 billion Indians is the country’s greatest strength in the fight against terrorism. “The whole world stands with India in this battle,” he said, referencing the outpouring of support from global leaders. From US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and even Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, condolences and pledges of solidarity have poured in, condemning the “heinous” and “cowardly” act.

The Prime Minister reiterated his government’s commitment to delivering a “toughest reply” to the perpetrators and their backers. “Those behind this heinous act will be brought to justice,” he assured, echoing his earlier remarks in Bihar on April 24, where he vowed to pursue the terrorists “to the ends of the earth.” Modi’s stern warning, delivered in English during that speech to ensure global reach, underscored India’s resolve to dismantle terror networks. “The time has come to raze whatever is left of the terror haven,” he had declared, a message he reinforced in Mann Ki Baat.

The Pahalgam attack has prompted swift and decisive measures from the Indian government. The Cabinet Committee on Security, chaired by Modi, announced a series of retaliatory actions, including suspending India’s participation in the Indus Waters Treaty, closing the Integrated Check Post at Attari, and halting the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme for Pakistani nationals.

Homes of four Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists linked to the attack have been demolished, and over 1,500 individuals have been detained for questioning. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is assisting local police in a comprehensive probe, while the Indian Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police have launched joint search operations in the Baisaran area to apprehend the perpetrators.

 “Terrorists and their patrons want Kashmir to be destroyed again; that is why such a big conspiracy was hatched,” he said. Yet, he expressed confidence that the spirit of 140 crore Indians would remain unbroken. “The conviction of our people will ensure tourism resumes in Kashmir soon, and pilgrims will continue their Amarnath Yatra,” he added, echoing sentiments from Union Minister Piyush Goyal. The address also featured a nod to Jharkhand’s Naman family, a group dedicated to supporting families of martyrs and ex-servicemen. 

The attack has sparked widespread outrage and protests across India and abroad. Candlelight marches in Sopore, Ganderbal, and Bandipora, as well as demonstrations outside Pakistan’s high commissions in London and Kathmandu, reflect global condemnation. Political leaders across party lines, including Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, have called for justice, though some opposition figures like Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah have criticized Modi for allegedly politicizing the tragedy.

As Country grapples with the aftermath, Modi’s Mann Ki Baat served as both a unifying force and a resolute pledge. “The victims of this attack will get justice,” he affirmed, promising that the perpetrators would face consequences “beyond their imagination.” With the nation and the world watching, India’s response to the Pahalgam attack is poised to shape its counter-terrorism strategy and regional dynamics in the days ahead.