J&K parties term Pahalgam terror attack an assault on Kashmiriyat, idea of India

All-party meet expresses deep anguish over the barbaric incident

Putting up a joint face in the wake of deadly attack on tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday (April 24, 2025) chaired an all-party meet in Srinagar and passed a joint resolution terming the terror attack “a direct assault on the values of Kashmiriyat and the idea of India, a symbol of unity, peace, and harmony in the region”.

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“While the spirit of Kashmir was under attack, the people stood united in grief, resilience, and determination to uphold peace and harmony. The all-party meet expressed deep anguish over the barbaric incident. A joint resolution was adopted in the spirit of collective solidarity and firm resolve,” Mr. Abdullah said.

Twenty-six civilians, including 25 tourists and one local, were killed due to indiscriminate fire opened by a group of terrorists at Pahalgam’s Baisaran meadow on April 23.

The all-party meeting was attended by all the regional and national parties, including the BJP, Congress, CPI(M), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), J&K Peoples Conference (JKPC), J&K Apni Party (JKAP), Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) etc. A joint resolution was passed in all-party meet to express shock and anguish over the Pahalgam attack. 

“We unequivocally condemn in the strongest possible terms the heinous, inhumane attack in Pahalgam that targeted and killed innocent civilians. Such cowardly acts of brutality against peaceful citizens have no place in society and are a direct assault on the values of Kashmiriyat, and the idea of India which has long been a symbol of unity, peace, and harmony in the region,” it reads.

The participants, the resolution said, stand unwavering in “our commitment to support all efforts in bringing these perpetrators to justice.” 

“We affirm that no act of terror can ever weaken our resolve or extinguish our indominable spirit. We also support the steps taken by the Union government announced yesterday,” it said.

The resolution also referred to Syed Adil Hussain Shah, a pony operator, who was killed during his attempt to fight one of the terrorists to save the tourists. “His valour and selflessness shall forever remain an inspiration to all. He is a true face of Kashmiriyat and Kashmir hospitality,” it said.

The parties also acknowledged the extraordinary display of moral and material support offered by people to all the tourists across the Kashmir Valley.

We appreciate the spontaneous, peaceful demonstrations across towns and villages across the length and breadth of Jammu and Kashmir, which exemplify our unwavering commitment to peace, communal harmony, and the rule of law, and reaffirm our collective resolve to foster mutual respect, uphold constitutional values, and work collaboratively for the prosperity and stability of Jammu and Kashmir,” it added.

The joint resolution also appealed to the governments of all States and union territories “to come forward with unwavering commitment to protect the Kashmiri students and citizens who find themselves far from home”. 

Published - April 24, 2025 08:51 pm IST