Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a powerful and emotional response on Wednesday following the brutal terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam that killed 26 people, including 25 tourists and a local Kashmiri pony rider. Speaking from a government event in Madhubani, Bihar, the Prime Minister vowed that India would leave no stone unturned in identifying, tracking, and punishing the perpetrators and their backers.
“This attack was not just on innocent tourists; the country’s enemies have dared to strike at India’s soul,” PM Modi declared, his words laced with both grief and resolve.
A Tribute to the Victims of the Pahalgam Massacre
Beginning his address with a moment of silence, PM Modi paid homage to the victims of what has become one of the deadliest terror strikes in Jammu and Kashmir in recent years. He emphasized the nationwide grief caused by the killings.
“Someone spoke Bengali, someone spoke Kannada, someone was Marathi, someone was Odia, someone was Gujarati and someone was Bihar’s son,” he said, underlining the pan-Indian identity of the victims and the emotional wound inflicted on the nation.
“India’s Will Cannot Be Broken by Terrorism”
In a powerful warning to those responsible for orchestrating the massacre, the Prime Minister stated that their punishment would be beyond imagination. Without directly naming Pakistan, Modi’s remarks were clearly directed at the state and its proxies. “The time has come to raze whatever is left of the terror haven. The will of 140 crore Indians will break the back of the masters of terror.”
He added that the government would ensure justice for every family that lost a loved one in the attack, and that India would not rest until every terrorist and conspirator faced the consequences.
Global Message: “We Will Pursue Them to the Ends of the Earth”
Switching to English during the latter part of his address, Prime Minister Modi spoke directly to the international community. “India will identify, track and punish every terrorist and their backers. We will pursue them to the ends of the earth. India’s spirit will never be broken by terrorism. Terrorism will not go unpunished.”
He also expressed gratitude to leaders and citizens of other countries who have stood in solidarity with India following the attack.
In the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has announced five critical measures, including the suspension of the 1960 Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan. This marks a bold shift in India’s strategic response to cross-border terrorism.
The CCS declared on Wednesday that the treaty will remain suspended until Pakistan ends its support for terrorism in a credible and irreversible manner. This unprecedented move signals a sharp escalation in India’s policy framework against state-sponsored attacks.
Pahalgam Attack: Deadliest Since Pulwama
The attack occurred on Tuesday in the Baisaran meadow near Pahalgam in South Kashmir, resulting in the deaths of 26 individuals, most of them tourists. The assault is now being described as the deadliest terror strike in the Valley since the 2019 Pulwama attack, where 40 CRPF personnel were martyred.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Bihar’s Madhubani says, “I say to the whole world India will identify, track, and punish every terrorist and their backers.”
Also Read: What is the Indus Water Treaty? How revoking it will affect Pakistan, India
As grief-stricken families mourned their loved ones, demands for decisive government action echoed nationwide. “Justice must be swift and uncompromising,” said relatives of the victims, urging the government to hold perpetrators accountable.
Centre Takes Swift Action; High-Level Security Review Held
In response, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha chaired a security review meeting, ensuring immediate implementation of Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s directives to bring the attackers to justice.
Also Read: India’s 1st response to Pahalgam Terror Attack: Attari-Wagah border shut, Indus Water Treaty suspended
Sinha reiterated the Centre’s resolve, stating that the government is fully committed to avenging the loss of innocent lives and restoring peace in the region.
Top Leaders Cut Short Foreign Visits
The gravity of the attack prompted key political leaders to return to India. Congress MP and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi ended his US visit early and arrived in New Delhi on Thursday morning.
Similarly, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman cut short their international engagements in Saudi Arabia and the United States, respectively, to address the situation on home ground.
