Union Home Minister Amit Shah paid a solemn tribute to the victims of the devastating Pahalgam terror attack on Wednesday, during a wreath-laying ceremony held outside the Police Control Room in Srinagar.
The ceremony, attended by top officials including Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, DGP Nalin Prabhat, and senior members of the Army, J&K Police, and civil administration, was a poignant moment of solidarity.
Rows of coffins draped in white stood as a stark reminder of the tragedy that had shaken the nation. Shah placed a garland on a table representing the victims, with security personnel standing in honour.
The Pahalgam attack targeted tourists, a rare and chilling escalation in the Valley’s ongoing security challenges. According to officials, 28 people were killed, with the majority being tourists, and several others were wounded. At least 12 injured tourists were admitted to Pahalgam hospital, where doctors confirmed their stable condition.
In response to the attack, Shah chaired a high-level security meeting with all agencies upon arriving in Srinagar on Tuesday evening. He vowed that the perpetrators would face the “harshest consequences,” stating, “Those involved in this dastardly act of terror will not be spared.”
The Home Minister also briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who cut short his state visit to Saudi Arabia to return to New Delhi. Upon arrival, Modi held a briefing at Palam Airport with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, and other officials to address the crisis.
The Indian Army foiled a fresh infiltration attempt along the Line of Control (LoC) in Baramulla district on Wednesday, less than a day after the attack, underscoring the persistent threat of terrorism in the region.
Shah is expected to visit the attack site and meet the injured in Srinagar.
