Srinagar, Apr 22 : Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday said that preventing recurrence of incidents like the Pahalgam terror attack remains a top priority, stressing collective responsibility between the elected government, the Centre and security agencies to ensure lasting peace in the Union Territory.
Paying tribute to the victims on the first anniversary of the attack, Omar said the day carried both emotional weight and a reminder of the continuing pain of loss.
Describing the incident as deeply tragic, the Chief Minister said those killed were innocent civilians who had come to the Valley for leisure. “Today is a very important and painful day for all of us. We remember those who lost their lives in Pahalgam. They were not at fault; they had come to enjoy their holiday when they were targeted by terrorists,” he said.
He said the grief of the incident continues to be felt across Jammu and Kashmir. “We remain in that sorrow even today,” he added.
Omar Abdullah said that following the attack, the government had resolved to strengthen preventive mechanisms to ensure such violence does not recur. “We had taken a clear decision then, and we stand by it even now, that every possible effort must be made so that such incidents are not repeated,” he said.
Stressing coordination among institutions, the Chief Minister said security could only be ensured through joint efforts. “Whether it is the elected government, the central government or the security apparatus, all have to work together to achieve this objective,” he said.
On questions related to India’s military response after the attack, including Operation Sindoor, Omar said such matters should be assessed on the basis of intelligence inputs. “Those who have access to such reports can answer better. What I can say is that our focus remains on preventing any such incident in future,” he said.
The Pahalgam attack on April 22, 2025, in the Baisaran area had left 27 civilians dead, including tourists, and was among the deadliest civilian-targeted attacks in recent years in Jammu and Kashmir.
In its aftermath, India carried out Operation Sindoor on May 7, 2025, targeting terror infrastructure across the border, marking a significant escalation in counter-terror operations.
Officials maintain that security arrangements across the Union Territory remain strengthened and under continuous review. (KNS)
