India won’t bend to terror: Amit Shah

Srinagar, Apr 23: Union Home Minister Amit Shah Wednesday paid his last respects to the tourists killed in the Pahalgam terror attack and assured the nation that the perpetrators will be brought to justice.

At around 10 am, Shah, accompanied by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, arrived at the Police Control Room (PCR) in Srinagar.

There, in a sombre wreath-laying ceremony, he paid respect to the 26 victims whose bodies had been brought to the city.

Amid heavy security, Shah laid wreaths on the coffins, offering floral tributes and standing in silent homage.

ìWith a heavy heart, paid last respects to the deceased of the Pahalgam terror attack. Bharat will not bend to terror. The culprits of this dastardly terror attack will not be spared,î Shah posted on X after laying a wreath here at the PCR.

ìEvery Indian feels the pain of losing their loved ones in the terrorist attack in Pahalgam. This sorrow cannot be expressed in words. I assure all these families and the entire nation that these terrorists who killed innocent people will not be spared at all,î he said in another post.

At PCR, heart-wrenching scenes unfolded as families of the deceased and injured broke down in front of the Home Minister, pleading for justice and demanding that their loss not be forgotten.

Shah assured the families that the perpetrators of the ìdastardly actî would be identified and brought to justice swiftly.

ìThis is a tragic day for the entire nation. The pain and sacrifice of the innocent will not go in vain,î he said.

Following the tribute at PCR Srinagar, Shah proceeded to Pahalgam, the site of the brutal attack.

He was accompanied by LG Manoj Sinha, GOC Northern Command, DGP, and other officers.

Later, Shah visited the Government Medical College in Anantnag and another hospital in Pahalgam, where he met survivors and inquired about their condition.

He offered words of encouragement and pledged the full support of the central government for their treatment and rehabilitation.

After completing his engagements in the Valley, Shah flew back from the Srinagar Technical Airport to New Delhi on Wednesday afternoon.

LG Manoj Sinha also departed for the national capital later in the evening.

The terror attack has cast a dark shadow over Kashmirís renewed efforts at stability and tourism promotion, triggering nationwide outrage.

Security forces have intensified search operations in the Anantnag hills, even as agencies continue to gather intelligence inputs to trace the group responsible for the attack.

The bodies of the killed tourists were taken to Srinagar International Airport on Wednesday afternoon and flown to New Delhi in six flights.

From Delhi, they will be flown to their respective states along with their relatives.