On April 22, 2025, the nation was left shocked when terrorists attacked Jammu & Kashmir’s Pahalgam region, killing 26 innocent civilians. Today, on the first anniversary of the horrific incident, leaders across party lines have come together to remember the victims and condemn the attack.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi expressed deep grief while paying tribute to those who lost their lives. Taking to X, he said, “I pay heartfelt tribute to all the brave heroes who were martyred in the cowardly terrorist attack in Pahalgam last year. India will never forget their sacrifice and the pain of their families, nor will it ever forgive those responsible for this dastardly act.”

He further added that the pain of the families continues to shake the nation. “The memory of those innocent lives brutally snatched away still shakes our hearts today. The grief of the martyrs' families is the grief of us all. The martyrdom of those sons of the nation will forever remain etched in the soul of India. The entire nation stood united against terrorism and violence then, stands united now, and will always remain so.”

Rahul Gandhi also emphasized national unity against terrorism, saying, “India will never bow before the forces that spread hatred and fear—we will stand against them with even greater strength, unity, and resolve.”

Union Home Minister Amit Shah also paid tribute, stating that the country remembers the innocent lives lost in the attack with deep sorrow. He said, “On this day, we solemnly remember the innocent lives we lost in the horrific Pahalgam terror attack last year. The grief and pain of losing our people still remain in the heart of every Indian.”

Reaffirming the government’s stance, he added, “Terrorism is the greatest enemy of humanity, against which we must stand united to fight and defeat. India will continue its zero-tolerance policy against terrorism and those who harbour it.”

Meanwhile, security improvements in Jammu & Kashmir have led to a gradual return of normalcy in the Valley. Tourists are once again returning after the reopening of key destinations, the launch of the Vande Bharat train service between Katra and Srinagar, and the successful completion of the Amarnath Yatra last year, marking a slow but steady revival of tourism in the region.