Jammu & Kashmir on April 23, 2025 (Posted by Amit Shah on X)
Venkat Raman
Auckland, April 24, 2025
India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has said that his government is equipping armed forces to give a fitting response to the terrorist attacks on April 22, 2025.
The attacks, carried by Pakistani Terrorist organisation The Resistance Front (TRF), an offshoot of Lashkar-e-Tayyiba, a banned militant entity, left at least 28 people dead and many injured. The terrible incidents occurred in Baisaran, a meadow, accessible only by foot or on pony.
“Those behind the cowardly terror attack in Pahalgam will soon get a befitting reply. Every Indian is united, we can never be intimidated by such terror activities,” Mr Singh said, delivering a Memorial Lecture on the Mashal of the Indian Airforce Arjan Singh in New Delhi on April 23, 2025.
Reiterating India’s firm resolve of zero tolerance against terrorism, he said that the Narendra Modi government will take every necessary and appropriate step.
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Indians are united
“India is an old civilisation and such a big country can never be intimidated by any such terror activities. Every Indian is united against this cowardly act. Not just those who perpetrated the attack, but even those who conspired from behind the scenes to commit such nefarious acts on the Indian soil will soon get an appropriate response,” he said.
In the context of cross-border-supported terrorist incidents, Mr Singh said that history is witness to the withering away of nations not due to the action of the adversary but their misdeeds.
“I hope people across the border look at lessons of history more closely. Our country has lost many innocent citizens in a cowardly attack by terrorists targeting religion. This extremely inhuman act has left us in deep pain. In this hour of grief, I pray for peace to the departed souls,” he said.
Mr Singh paid rich tributes to Arjan Singh and described his leadership, vision and dedication as incredible. “He was a visionary military leader who, even today, inspires the youth. If today IAF is one of the world’s strongest air forces, it is because of the vision and ethos of military leaders like Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh,” he said.
IAF, an inspirational force
He said that the journey of IAF is an aspiring, inspirational and transformational epic, which is not just about touching the sky, but also turning the dreams of national security into reality. He stated that, despite challenges, IAF has grown stronger post-independence, and is contributing significantly to national security as a strong pillar today.
Emphasising his government’s focus on transforming the Armed Forces with a self-reliant defence ecosystem, Mr Singh underscored the commitment towards establishing IAF as a dominant power in the region. He said that the journey towards Aatmanirbharta (Self-Sufficient India) is a shared responsibility. Commitment, collaboration and unified vision is the need of the hour, he said.
“Due to the shift of power dynamics to Asia in the 21st century, the Indo-Pacific region has emerged as the most important region strategically, and our government is leaving no stone unturned to address the complex challenges emanating from a fluid international order and technological revolution. The revolutionary breakthrough in the field of technology, including the growing use of Artificial Intelligence, Hypersonic Directed Energy weapons, Quantum Computing, drones, Cyber and Space Technology have brought unpredictability and lethality in modern-day warfare, making it unconventional & even more uncertain. The Narendra Modi government is committed to tackle these challenges and uncertainties,” he said.
The Visit of Vance
The Indian media is connecting the visit of US Vice-President J D Vance to India with the terrorist attacks in Jammu and Kashmir.
“In March 2000, just hours before then US President Bill Clinton arrived in India for a landmark state visit, Jammu and Kashmir witnessed one of its most chilling terror attacks. On the evening of March 20, in the remote village of Chittisinghpora in Anantnag District, a group of armed men dressed in what appeared to be Indian Army uniforms, entered the predominantly Sikh village at around 720 pm. They avoided the main mountain roads and approached silently through apple orchards and rice fields, under the cover of darkness. With electricity cut off, villagers were using candles and lanterns, many listening to news about the American President’s visit on transistor radios. Unaware of the looming threat, some had just returned from evening prayers at the local Gurdwaras.
“The attackers split into groups and began rounding up Sikh men from near the Temples, shops, and homes. In total, 37 men were detained. Among them were two villagers who approached the commotion with lanterns, likely trying to help. The men were herded together and shot at close range. Thirty-five died on the spot, while two survived. This was the first large-scale targeting of the Sikh community in Kashmir’s decade-long insurgency. Until then, Sikhs had largely remained outside the scope of the conflict,” media reports said.
Mr Vance called Mr Modi and conveyed his condolences.
External Affairs Ministry spokesman Randhir Jaiswal said that Mr Vance strongly condemned the dastardly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir.
“He conveyed his deepest condolences on the loss of lives and reiterated that the United States stands with the people of India in this difficult hour. Mr Vance expressed that the United States is ready to provide all assistance in the joint fight against terrorism. The Prime Minister thanked the US Vice President Vance and President Trump for their messages of support and solidarity,” Mr Jaiswal said.
Amit Shah vows
Paying tributes to the dead in Pahalgam on April 23, 2025, Home Minister Amit Shah said on X: “With a heavy heart, paid last respects to the deceased of the Pahalgam terror attack. Bharat will not bend to terror. The culprits of this dastardly terror attack will not be spared.”
