A day after the Pahalgam attack in which 26 people were killed, Pakistan, China and Bangladesh on Wednesday condoled the deaths of tourists.
“We are concerned at the loss of tourists’ lives in an attack in Anantnag district. We extend our condolences to the near ones of the deceased and wish the injured a speedy recovery,” Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson said in Islamabad responding to media queries about the attack.
Terrorists opened fire in Pahalgam on Tuesday afternoon, killing 26 people, mostly tourists, in what is the deadliest attack in the Valley since the Pulwama strike in 2019.
On Tuesday, The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy of the banned Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), claimed responsibility for the attack. Officials said it was possible the terror group members had crossed over from Kishtwar in Jammu and reached Baisaran through Kokernag in south Kashmir.
Days earlier, Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir described Kashmir as Pakistan’s “jugular vein,” triggering a sharp response from New Delhi. “Our stance is very clear, it was our jugular vein, it will be our jugular vein, and we will not forget it. We will not leave our Kashmiri brothers in their heroic struggle,” General Munir said while addressing the first Overseas Pakistanis Convention in Islamabad on April 15. The event was also attended by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, senior ministers and Pakistanis living abroad. India had slammed Munir’s remarks.
“How can anything foreign be in a jugular vein? This is a Union territory of India. Its only relationship with Pakistan is the vacation of illegally occupied territories by that country,” External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.
Meanwhile, Beijing “strongly condemned” the terror attack and said “China has noted the reports,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun told a media briefing here while responding to a query on the attack.
“We strongly condemn the attack. China firmly opposes all forms of terrorism. We mourn for the lives lost and express sincere sympathies to the bereaved families and the injured,” he said.
Separately, Chinese Ambassador to India Xu Feihong also condemned the attack. “Shocked by the attack in Pahalgam and condemn,” he posted on social media.
“Deep condolences for the victims and sincere sympathies to the injured and the bereaved families. Oppose terrorism of all forms,” he added.
Bangladesh’s interim government led by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus strongly condemned the terrorist attack and reaffirmed its unwavering stance against terrorism.
In a social media post, Yunus said, “Excellency: Please accept my deepest condolences over the loss of life resulting from the terrorist attack that took place in Kashmir’s Pahalgam.”
“We strongly condemn this heinous act. Let me reaffirm Bangladesh’s resolute stand against terrorism,” the Chief Adviser added. The attack has drawn widespread international condemnation.