Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus on Wednesday said Bangladesh strongly condemns the terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, and reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the fight against terrorism.
“Excellency: Please accept my deepest condolences over the losses of life resulting from the terrorist attack that took place in Kashmir’s Pahalgam,” Yunus said in a message to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Kashmir incident.
“We strongly condemn this heinous act. Let me reaffirm Bangladesh’s resolute stand against terrorism,” he added.
On Tuesday, a devastating terror attack shook the serene valley of Pahalgam, a popular tourist destination in Anantnag district, Jammu and Kashmir. Gunmen believed to be affiliated with The Resistance Front (TRF) — a proxy of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) — opened fire on a group of tourists who were picnicking and enjoying horse rides in Baisaran, often dubbed the “mini Switzerland” of Kashmir.
The attack claimed 26 lives, making it the deadliest assault on civilians in the region since the Pulwama attack in 2019. Victims included tourists from Maharashtra, Odisha, Telangana, Haryana, and Karnataka, as well as officials from the Navy and Intelligence Bureau. Several others were seriously injured.
The attack occurred in the late afternoon, catching visitors and locals off guard. Survivors described harrowing scenes of chaos, with injured tourists crying for help and families frantically searching for loved ones. One particularly heart-wrenching moment captured on video showed a woman pleading for her husband’s life after he was shot.
Security forces have since launched a massive anti-terror operation to locate and neutralise the attackers. Political leaders and governments across the world, including those of the United States, Russia, Italy, Israel, and the UAE, have condemned the attack and expressed solidarity with India.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi cut short an overseas trip and returned to Delhi early, while Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited the region to oversee the response. The Jammu and Kashmir administration has labelled the attack as a direct assault on peace and civilian life, vowing a strong response.