Srinagar/Jammu, Apr 22: Political parties cutting across party lines on Wednesday paid tributes to the 26 people who were gunned down by Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists in Pahalgam last year, saying the attack is a wound whose scar will never truly heal.
“The tragic incident not only saddened our hearts, but brought tears to our eyes. It brought grief to every Kashmiri,” ruling National Conference (NC) state spokesperson Imran Nabi Dar said on the first anniversary of the attack.
He, however, said Kashmiris stood united and condemned the attack.
“A united message came from the people that the entire Kashmir was in grief. People came out everywhere, candlelight marches happened, and this gruesome attack was unanimously condemned by everyone,” he said, adding that the attack had a damaging effect on the Union territory’s economy.
The NC spokesperson expressed hope that such an attack should not happen again and that security agencies augment their defences across the valley, especially at the tourist spots.
J&K Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) president Tariiq Hameed Karra, while paying tribute to the victims, said the remembrance of the attack is accompanied by a “continuing sense of anguish”.
“The promise of democracy appears diminished when institutions lack meaningful authority, and when citizens continue to live under the shadow of recurring security concerns. There is a growing perception that governance is becoming reactive rather than anticipatory,” he said.
“At such a juncture, statesmanship demands reflection, course correction, and above all, a willingness to listen, understand, and act in the larger national interest,” he added.
Karra’s party colleague and Congress Legislature Party leader Ghulam Ahmed Mir said terrorism will not be able to break their spirit and reaffirmed “commitment to end violence and build a future where every life in J&K is safe and valued.”
Meanwhile, J&K BJP took out a rally in Anantnag district, in south Kashmir, to commemorate the day as a “black day”.
“Today marks one year of the horrific carnage. We pay our tribute to the martyrs and stand with their families. Modi showed Pakistan that if it does anything, we will strike inside their homes,” BJP leader and former MLC Sofi Yusuf told reporters.
In Jammu, BJP leaders and activists gathered at Maharaja Hari Singh Park and offered solemn tributes. Senior BJP leaders, led by party president and MP Sat Sharma, paid homage amid sloganeering in favour of the martyrs and the nation.
Speaking on the occasion, Sharma said that the entire nation was remembering those who laid down their lives. He asserted that India has conveyed to the world that while it does not strike first, it knows how to defend itself when required.
Referring to the government’s firm stance against Pakistan, he said decisive action had demonstrated the country’s strength and resolve.
BJP MLA Shagun Parihar, while paying tribute, said with “tear-filled eyes” she remembered the victims and expressed hope that such incidents would not recur. “As someone from a martyr’s family, I understand the pain endured by families after such tragedies. We pray that Jammu and Kashmir never witnesses such incidents again,” she said.
Party leader Divyani Rana termed the attack a deeply tragic incident that plunged the entire nation into grief.
She said the central leadership had made it clear that any harm to Indian citizens would be met with a strong response, adding that the country today feels secure under decisive leadership.
People’s Conference chief and MLA Handwara Sajad Lone said the scars of the Pahalgam attack will remain.
“The scars will always remain. How innocent blood was spilt. Let us hope and strive for a peaceful J&K. Let us hope the scourge of terror is eradicated from our lands for all times to come. My humble homage to those who were martyred,” he said.
Sharing similar sentiments, Apni Party chief Altaf Bukhari on X said, “Even today, the pain and sense of loss are felt strongly. On this day, as we mark its anniversary, I bow my head in deep respect and offer my heartfelt tribute to every soul we lost.”
Former J&K DGP S P Vaid said the country stood united in remembering the victims. “Today, we join the nation and Indians across the world to remember those who lost their lives in the barbaric Pahalgam terror attack. India today follows a zero-tolerance policy against terrorism,” he said, praising the response of security forces.
Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) workers held a protest in Jammu city under the leadership of its J&K unit president Munish Sinha and raised slogans condemning Pakistan.
The Dogra Front Shiv Sena organised a yagya to pay homage to the victims. Its president, Ashok Gupta, said prayers were offered for the departed souls and to express solidarity with their families.
Furthermore, the Traders Federation Warehouse organised a function here to pay floral tributes to the victims.
Speaking on the occasion, Federation President Deepak Kumar said, “We pay tribute and pray for the peace of the departed souls. We will make every effort to stand with their families and continue to remember those martyrs in one way or another. People from every section of society will support them.”
He stressed the need for unity, saying, “Our effort will be to remain united with their families, and as the country moves forward, we must work together to ensure that people of all religions stay united.”
Several other organisations, including VHP, Bajrang Dal and local social groups, besides some educational institutions, also held tribute programmes to honour the victims of the Pahalgam attack.
