Shikta Akarsh
Madhubani /Patna : India’s prime minister, Narendra Modi, has vowed a harsh and unprecedented response to the deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed the lives of several civilians earlier this week.
Speaking for the first time about the attack, Modi addressed a government event marking Panchayati Raj Day in Madhubani, Bihar. Before beginning his speech, he led a moment of silence in memory of the victims, urging the thousands gathered at the rally to pause in collective mourning.
“The entire country is anguished,” PM Modi said. “The brutality with which the terrorists killed innocent citizens has shaken the soul of India. From Kashmir to Kanyakumari, our grief is the same. Our anger is the same.”
On 22 April, gunmen opened fire on a group of unarmed tourists in the scenic region of Pahalgam. The victims included people from across India — among them Bengali, Kannada, Marathi, Oriya, Gujarati and Bihari speakers — highlighting the pan-Indian impact of the assault.
PM Modi condemned the attack as not just an assault on civilians, but “an attack on the soul of India”.
Promising retribution, the prime minister declared: “Those responsible for this heinous act, and those who supported it, will face a punishment beyond what they can imagine. Now the time has come to wipe out even the last remaining ground of the terrorists.”
“अब आतंकियों की बची-खुची जमीन को भी मिट्टी में मिलाने का समय आ गया है।”
In a show of resolve, Modi hinted at broader strategic consequences. A meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security was convened immediately following the attack. Subsequent decisions include halting cooperation under the Indus Water Treaty, downsizing diplomatic staff, and cancelling visas for Pakistani nationals — signalling a marked deterioration in bilateral relations.
While the government has not confirmed military action, speculation is mounting that further steps — potentially including the use of force — may be on the table.
PM Modi concluded by reaffirming that peace and security are prerequisites for progress, stating: “Only in an environment of safety can development thrive.”
The Pahalgam attack has rekindled concerns about cross-border terrorism and raised questions about the future of Indo-Pakistani relations, already strained in recent years.
