The High Commission of India in the United Kingdom held a heartfelt commemorative ceremony at India House to honour the victims of the horrific terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam on April 22. The solemn gathering united Indian and British dignitaries, lawmakers, and members of the Indian diaspora in a collective expression of grief, solidarity, and resilience.
Distinguished attendees included India’s Union Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs L. Murugan, Maharashtra’s Minister of Social Justice Sanjay Shirsat, UK Member of Parliament Bob Blackman, and several other British lawmakers. Their presence underscored the shared commitment between India and the UK to stand firm against terrorism and extremism.
Addressing the gathering, India’s High Commissioner to the UK, Vikram Doraiswami, called the attack one of the deadliest against civilians since the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. He stressed that the attack’s objective was not only to inflict harm but also to destabilize the peace and normalcy gradually returning to Jammu and Kashmir.
“This was a deliberate act to halt the progress of the people in Jammu and Kashmir, to disrupt their ability to work, do business, and live peacefully,” Doraiswami said. “Civilians were targeted based on their identity—ordinary people, including a newly married couple and a child, who had only come to enjoy a holiday.”
He emphasized the broader motive behind the act, asserting that such attempts to break the unity and spirit of India have repeatedly failed and will continue to do so. “We are a nation of 1.4 billion, moving forward together. Our unity, our resilience, and our mission cannot and will not be shaken by those who believe that violence is the answer,” he declared.
Doraiswami echoed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s strong words, assuring the audience that India will never forget or forgive the perpetrators. “There will be a price to be paid by those who committed, planned, and supported this attack. No distance, no protection, will shield them from justice.”
The ceremony brought together a large number of Indian-origin residents across the UK, who lit candles and observed a moment of silence for the victims. It served as both a tribute and a powerful reminder of the need to continue confronting terrorism with resolve and unity.
In a post on X, the High Commission stated: “@HCI_London held a solemn commemorative ceremony in memory of those killed in the #PahalgamTerroristAttack and in solidarity with the spirit of India. UK Minister @CatherineWest1, MoS @Murugan_MoS, MPs @BobBlackman & @KanishkaNarayan, Members of @UKHouseofLords, @Baroness_Verma, Lord Raval, Maharashtra’s Minister of Social Justice Mr. Sanjay Shirsat, and members of the Indian diaspora joined in large numbers to pay their tributes.”
The tribute also showcased the strong ties between the Indian community in the UK and their homeland, reinforced by the support and presence of British leaders in moments of national mourning.
The April 22 attack in Pahalgam, where terrorists targeted tourists at the scenic Baisaran meadow, resulted in the deaths of 25 Indian citizens and one Nepali national, marking one of the worst terror incidents since the 2019 Pulwama strike.
In response, India has undertaken strong diplomatic measures against Pakistan, citing its ongoing support for cross-border terrorism. During a Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) meeting chaired by Prime Minister Modi, India announced the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960, closure of the Attari Integrated Check Post, and expulsion of Pakistani diplomats. These actions reflect India’s firm stance on holding the perpetrators and their sponsors accountable.
