Rajnath Singh Pays Tribute to Pahalgam Victims, Warns of Firm Response to Terror

New Delhi, April 2026: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday paid tribute to the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack on its first anniversary, asserting that any attempt to harm India or its citizens would be met with “strength and clarity.”

India is observing one year since the horrific April 22, 2025 attack, in which 26 innocent people, mostly tourists, were brutally killed by Pakistan-backed terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir. The incident remains one of the most shocking acts of violence against civilians in recent times.

In a message shared on social media, Rajnath Singh expressed deep sorrow and solidarity with the families of the victims. “Remembering and paying my heartfelt tributes to the innocent people who lost their lives in the cowardly terror attack at Pahalgam. We share the enduring pain of their loved ones and families. We will never forget those wounds inflicted on our nation,” he said.

Reaffirming India’s stance against terrorism, the Defence Minister stressed that the country’s response to such threats has evolved over the years. “India has endured decades of cross-border terror, but today our response is firm, decisive and unwavering. Through determined action, we have demonstrated that any attempt to harm our people or disrupt our unity will be met with strength and clarity,” he added.

The Pahalgam attack was carried out by The Resistance Front, believed to be an offshoot of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba. The attackers reportedly identified victims based on their religion, forcing them to recite the Islamic ‘kalima’ to single out non-Muslims. Among those killed were 25 tourists and a local pony operator who tried to protect them.

Several victims were newly married, and many were shot at close range in front of their families, amplifying the emotional trauma and national outrage that followed.

In response, India launched Operation Sindoor on May 6 and 7, targeting key terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Officials described the operation as precise, measured, and non-escalatory, aimed at dismantling terror networks without triggering wider conflict.

Operation Sindoor showcased India’s growing military capability and strategic resolve. It combined military precision with broader policy measures to counter terrorism, successfully neutralising threats and deterring further aggression.

As the nation remembers the victims, the government’s message remains clear: terrorism will not be tolerated, and any threat to India’s unity and security will be met with decisive action.