Pahalgam attack: Pakistan expresses concern over loss of lives in held Kashmir

Pakistan has expressed concern over the loss of lives in Tuesday’s attack in the tourist hotspot of the Pahalgam area of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), which claimed the lives of 26 people.

Media reports quoted police as saying that the attack, which left dozens wounded, occurred in the well-known summer tourist spot, Pahalgam, located about 90 kilometres from Srinagar.

In response to media inquiries, Foreign Office spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan said Pakistan was saddened by the incident and expressed sympathy with the families of the deceased.

“We are concerned at the loss of tourists’ lives in an attack in Anantnag district of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir,” Shafqat Ali Khan said, adding, “We extend our condolences to the near ones of the deceased and wish the injured a speedy recovery.”

As per media reports, among the dead are an Indian Navy officer and a Nepalese national. Some of the victims were from distant parts of India, including Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, and Karnataka. The attack is the worst of its kind in the region in nearly two decades.

Pahalgam lies on the route of a Hindu pilgrimage to a cave shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva, the annual Amarnath Yatra, making it one of the most heavily protected regions of Indian-held Jammu and Kashmir.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter) condemning the incident, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was visiting Saudi Arabia at the time, said that those behind the heinous act would be brought to justice.

“…Their evil agenda will never succeed. Our resolve to fight terrorism is unshakable and it will get even stronger,” he added.

Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, while calling the attack “extremely condemnable and heartbreaking,” urged the government to move beyond what he termed “hollow claims” of peace in held-Jammu and Kashmir. “The whole country is united against terrorism,” he said.

“Instead of making hollow claims of the situation being normal in Jammu and Kashmir, the government should now take accountability and take concrete steps so that such barbaric incidents do not happen in the future and innocent Indians do not lose their lives like this.”

Meanwhile, in a post on Truth Social on Tuesday, US President Donald Trump said that India has the full support of the United States.

“Deeply disturbing news out of Kashmir. The United States stands strong with India against Terrorism. We pray for the souls of those lost, and for the recovery of the injured. Prime Minister Modi, and the incredible people of India, have our full support and deepest sympathies,” he wrote.