Jammu (Jammu and Kashmir) [India]: In the aftermath of the devastating terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22, the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly convened a special session on Monday to express condolences to the victims and strongly denounce the act of terrorism.
The session witnessed the participation of all key political leaders, including Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma, Independent MLA Sheikh Abdul Rashid, AAP J&K President Mehraj Malik, National Conference leader Mubarak Gul, Minister Javed Dar, PDP leader Waheed Para, Awami Ittehad Party leader Khurshid Ahmad Sheikh, among others.
Focus: Unity Against Terrorism
Speaking ahead of the session, Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma emphasized the need for unity, saying,
“We are here to mourn the tragic loss of 26 innocent lives and send a strong, united message to combat terrorism. There will be no political or religiously divisive discussions today. The Assembly stands firmly behind the Union Government.”
On whether a resolution would be tabled, Sharma said he was confident that any proposal supporting the Union Government would have full opposition backing.
Diverse Voices, Common Resolve
- Khurshid Ahmad Sheikh of the Awami Ittehad Party called for dialogue with Pakistan to find a lasting solution while also demanding a memorial for Adil, the pony handler who died protecting tourists.
- AAP MLA Mehraj Malik asserted that while dialogue could be considered later, immediate strong action was necessary, criticizing the idea of engaging in a “water war” with Pakistan and calling for a direct and forceful response.
“We must show our strength now. Talks can happen later. Our Army and ammunition are there for a reason,” Malik said.
Background: The Pahalgam Attack
The April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, targeting tourists at the Baisaran Meadow, left 26 dead, including a Nepalese national. It has been described as the deadliest terror incident in the Valley since the 2019 Pulwama attack, which killed 40 CRPF personnel.
India has since taken several diplomatic and military measures against Pakistan, including the downsizing of High Commission staff and intensifying counter-terror operations in Jammu and Kashmir.