Jammu: The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly on Monday unanimously passed a resolution condemning the recent terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives. The resolution was adopted by a voice vote during a special session, one of the rare occasions in the Assembly’s history, after a three-hour-long discussion.
Moved by Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar, the resolution expressed the House’s shock and anguish over the “barbaric” attack on civilians on April 22. Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather opened the session with a reference to the incident, followed by a two-minute silence.
“This House stands in full solidarity with the victims and their families,” the document stated. “We extend our deepest condolences to those who have suffered irreparable loss and affirm our collective resolve to share in their grief and support them in their hour of need,” it added.
The resolution also mentioned the “supreme sacrifice” of pony ride operator Syed Adil Hussain Shah who laid down his life while trying to save the tourists from the terrorist attack.
“His courage and selflessness embody the true spirit of Kashmir and shall serve as an enduring inspiration for future generations,” Choudhary said.
“This House commends the people of Kashmir and Jammu for their extraordinary display of unity, compassion, and resilience in the aftermath of the attack.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah delivered a heartfelt address, condemning the attack and expressing solidarity with the victims’ families, calling it one of the most poignant speeches of his tenure. Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma also kept the focus on unity, steering clear of political barbs.
The resolution also called upon all states and union territories to ensure the safety and dignity of Kashmiri citizens living or traveling outside J&K. It urged political parties, civil society, and media to reject violence and divisive rhetoric and to uphold peace and constitutional values.
In a significant gesture, the names of all 26 victims were included in the final text of the resolution, following a suggestion by MLA Sajad Lone and supported by the Chief Minister.
The Assembly also endorsed the diplomatic measures announced by the Union Government after a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) on April 23.
