Yesterday, the serene beauty of Pahalgam—an emerald jewel nestled in the heart of Jammu and Kashmir—was defiled by an act of unspeakable terror. What should have been a tranquil retreat for tourists turned into a blood-soaked nightmare. In a ruthless and targeted assault, at least 28 innocent lives were lost, including foreign nationals, in what is being called one of the most horrifying attacks in the region’s recent history. Eyewitnesses recount chilling tales of brutality—of victims reportedly singled out based on their religious identity before being executed.

This was not just another terror strike. This was faith-based terrorism at its most despicable—an orchestrated attempt to tear apart the social fabric of India, a country built on the ideals of unity in diversity. The perpetrators, the so-called Resistance Front (TRF)—a proxy believed to be backed by Lashkar-e-Taiba—have not only killed innocent people but have attacked our very humanity, our pluralism, and our commitment to peace.

To weaponise religion is the ultimate perversion of faith. Terror groups, under the garb of ideological struggle, prey upon the vulnerable, twist sacred beliefs into tools of hatred, and murder in the name of divinity. Let us be clear—this is not martyrdom. This is murder. This is not resistance. This is pure, unadulterated evil.

The wounds inflicted at Pahalgam are not just physical. They have left behind a trail of grief, rage, and deep psychological trauma—among the families of victims, among the communities that welcomed the visitors, and across an entire nation that has time and again paid the price for cross-border terror.

Our hearts go out to the families of those whose lives were cut short in this mindless violence. Words cannot fill the void they must now endure. To them, we offer our deepest condolences, and more than that, we offer our solidarity and our promise to demand justice in their names.

The response from civil society and political leaders has been swift and unequivocal. Condemnations have poured in, ex-gratia relief has been announced, and emergency care has been mobilised for the injured. But let us not stop at condemnation. We must ensure justice—not just to punish the perpetrators but to send an unambiguous message to those who harbour, fund, or justify such acts of savagery.

India must, with renewed urgency, review its counter-terrorism framework. The attack at Pahalgam exposes the persistent threat posed by terror groups operating with cross-border backing. This is the time to forge stronger intelligence networks, to disrupt radicalisation pathways, and to build community-led resistance to divisive ideologies. Surveillance and boots on the ground must be complemented by narratives of peace, tolerance, and inclusive nationalism.

Equally important is the need for international cooperation. Faith-based terror is not India’s problem alone—it is a global crisis. Today’s attack should compel the world to act in concert, to eliminate the double standards that often plague global counter-terrorism dialogue. There can be no good terrorists or bad terrorists. There can be no place—no sanctuary, no justification—for those who kill in the name of faith.

Let us also not allow the attackers to win the psychological war they seek to wage. Pahalgam must not become a metaphor for fear. Let it be a symbol of resilience. Let the blood spilt not drown our spirit, but irrigate a renewed determination to uphold the values of compassion, coexistence, and humanity.

As we mourn, we must also act. As we grieve, we must also remember. The tragedy at Pahalgam must not fade into the long list of forgotten massacres. Each life lost deserves remembrance, and their memory must be our fuel in the fight against terror.

Terrorism thrives on silence, apathy, and division. Let us respond with voice, action, and unity. In memory of those slain in Pahalgam, let us promise to build a nation—and a world—where peace is stronger than hate, and humanity stands taller than terror.