Madhubani (Bihar) [India], April 24: Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a powerful and emotional address on National Panchayati Raj Day in Bihar’s Madhubani, pledging relentless action in response to the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives in Jammu and Kashmir on April 22.
“India will identify, track and punish every terrorist, their handlers, and their backers. We will pursue them to the end of the earth,” said PM Modi, condemning the brutal killing of innocent civilians. He asserted that the nation’s spirit will never be broken by terrorism, promising justice for the victims and their families.
Standing in solidarity with the grieving families, the Prime Minister led a moment of silence, urging citizens to pay homage to the lives lost in the attack. “Let us stand together in this moment of grief… Om Shanti,” he said.
PM Modi also thanked world leaders and countries who expressed their support in the aftermath of the tragedy. “Everyone who believes in humanity is on our side,” he stated.
In a stern warning to the perpetrators, PM Modi added, “Those behind this attack will face a punishment greater than they can imagine. The willpower of 140 crore Indians will break the back of terrorism.”
In response to the attack, the Indian government announced several bold measures, reflecting a major diplomatic and security shift:
- Indus Waters Treaty (1960) is suspended with immediate effect.
- Integrated checkpost at Attari is closed.
- Pakistani nationals are barred from using the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme.
- All Defence, Naval, and Air Advisors in the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi are declared persona non grata and must leave within a week.
- India will withdraw its own Defence, Navy, and Air advisors from its High Commission in Islamabad.
Later today, an all-party meeting in Parliament—chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh—will assess national security and deliberate further actions.
The Pahalgam attack, one of the deadliest since the 2019 Pulwama strike, has sparked a nationwide outcry and international condemnation. The loss of 26 lives, including one Nepalese national, has reinforced India’s commitment to stand strong against terrorism.