Goodwill gestures, rallies, tributes mark first anniversary of Pahalgam attack in J&K

Goodwill gestures, rallies and silent tributes at the memorial on Wednesday (April 22, 2026) marked the first anniversary of the Pahalgam massacre, which left 26 civilians dead, in Jammu and Kashmir. Top J&K leaders, from Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to Kashmir chief cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, paid tributes and used the occasion to subtly draw attention to several agendas.

Security was put on high alert on the occasion. Checkpoints were set up in Pahalgam with additional deployments. In ones, twos and groups, tourists stood at the memorial erected for all those who fell to the bullets of terrorists on April 22 at the high-altitude Baisaran meadow.

Also read | Pahalgam Terror Attack: A tribute to the victims

In Pahalgam, most paid gardens set up notices to allow free entry to tourists on the occasion. Rayees Ahmad, president of a pony stand, said locals stand shoulder to shoulder with tourists, as he paid tributes to those who lost their lives last year. Many horse owners offered free extra time to riders.

In the Karnah area of the border district Kupwara, school children took out a rally and raised anti-terror slogans. Local BJP units in Kashmir observed the anniversary as a “black day”.

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Paying tributes, J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said, “We will not forget. We will not forgive. This is our solemn vow. India stands unified against terrorism. We pledge unwavering commitment and resolute determination to eradicate terrorism from the soil of J&K.”

Referring to Pakistan, Mr. Sinha said while the neighbour was setting up factories of terrorism, India was establishing factories of development.

J&K Chief Minister Mr. Abdullah, in his message, took a pledge against terrorism. “One year on, we remain united against terror and against violence. We remain resolute in our desire to rid J&K of suffering and innocent deaths. We remain committed to doing everything to ensure it never happens again,” said Mr. Abdullah.

However, Mr. Abdullah said security could only be ensured through joint efforts of the elected government, the Union government and the security apparatus. “All have to work together to achieve this objective,” he said.

Kashmir’s chief cleric Mr. Farooq said the people of J&K remember the Pahalgam victims “with deep sorrow”. However, he also drew attention to other massacres witnessed in Kashmir, including Gaw Kadal, Zakoora, Hawal, Sopore, Wandhama, Chittisinghpura, etc.

“These dates in our calendar every year reopen our wounds to similar tragedies witnessed by us in the last three decades. Thousands of precious human lives were lost to the conflict. Yet the faith and aspiration of the people of J&K in non-violence and lasting peace with dignity through talks, remains unwavering. We hope and pray that such gruesome events are forever a thing of the past,” said the Mirwaiz.

J&K Apni Party and J&K Awami Ittehad Party also paid tributes.