Pahalgam anniversary: Rajnath Singh signals strength as nation remembers victims
As the nation paid homage to the 26 victims on the first anniversary of the Pahalgam terror carnage on Wednesday, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh issued a stern warning to Pakistan, saying “dot, dot, dot,” if it tried to foment trouble.
Sounding this note of caution while addressing the Indian diaspora in Germany during his three-day visit, he also said “If you look at the history of India, to date, India has not attacked any country in the world from its own side. But the one who is powerful does not attack anyone. But if a neighbour tries to create trouble, then dot, dot, dot... All neighbours are fine, only one is troublesome,” he said. Asserting that India’s military power has become “stronger than before”, Singh said, “There is no need to tell you what our Army has done in Operation Sindoor”.
The defence minister, meanwhile, earlier in the day, paid tribute to the victims. “Remembering and paying my heartfelt tributes to the innocent people who lost their lives in the cowardly terror attack at Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir on 22 April 2025. We share the enduring pain of their loved ones and families. We will never forget those wounds inflicted on our nation,” he wrote in a social media post.
The minister added, “India has endured decades of cross-border terror, but today our response is firm, decisive and unwavering. Through determined action, we have demonstrated that any attempt to harm our people or disrupt our unity will be met with strength and clarity.” While paying tribute to the victims, President Droupadi Murmu said the country remains resolute in its determination to defeat terrorism everywhere in all its forms. “The tragic loss of innocent lives in that heinous act remains etched in our collective memory. I express my deepest condolences to the bereaved families. The entire nation stands with them. Such acts of terror cannot deter our unwavering commitment to peace and unity,” she said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, too, in a post, paid his tributes. “Remembering the innocent lives lost in the gruesome Pahalgam terror attack on this day last year. They will never be forgotten. My thoughts are also with the bereaved families as they cope with this loss. As a nation, we stand united in grief and resolve. India will never bow to any form of terror. The heinous designs of terrorists will never succeed,” he said.
Several Union ministers and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge also paid tributes to those killed in the Pahalgam incident, reaffirming India’s resolve to combat terrorism with a firm and zero-tolerance policy.
Home minister Amit Shah said the country continues to grieve the loss while remaining steadfast in its fight against terror.
“On this day, we solemnly remember the innocent lives we lost in the horrific Pahalgam terror attack last year. The grief and pain of losing our people still remain in the heart of every Indian.
“Terrorism is the greatest enemy of humanity, against which we must stand united to fight and defeat.
India will continue its zero-tolerance policy against terrorism and those who harbour it,” he said in a post.
BJP national president Nitin Nabin also paid homage to the victims, asserting that the nation remains resolute against terrorism and “will never bow before any form of terrorism.”
Union minister Nitin Gadkari said the country stands united in remembrance and solidarity with the victims’ families.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar reiterated India’s firm resolve against terrorism.
Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan remembered the attack as a “painful reminder of the human cost of terrorism” and said it “marked a turning point” in India’s resolve against terrorism.
Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Virendra Kumar said, “The people of the country will never forget this cowardly murder of killing their loved ones in Pahalgam.”
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday said the spirit of India stands unbroken and united against every act of terrorism.
