"Won't ask for statehood now," says Omar Abdullah over Pahalgam attack

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday expressed deep sorrow and condemned the brutal terror attack in Pahalgam’s Baisaran Valley that claimed the lives of 26 individuals, many of them tourists. Speaking at the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, Abdullah said he was struggling to find the words to apologise to the grieving families and felt personally responsible for the tragedy.

Addressing the Assembly, Omar Abdullah said, "This incident has impacted not just the victim families but the entire country. I don't know how to apologise. Being the host, it was my duty to ensure the safe return of the tourists, and I failed." His emotional admission reflected the widespread anguish that has swept across the region following the April 22 attack.

At the beginning of the session, the House observed a two-minute silence in memory of those who lost their lives. Abdullah’s speech reflected the collective grief, calling the attack a dark reminder of the horrors of terrorism and a test of the region’s resilience. He made it clear that there was no justification for such a heinous act and called for unity in facing the threat.

While political discussions around Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood have often dominated Assembly sessions, Abdullah refrained from linking the terror attack to political demands. He stated firmly that it would be inappropriate and shameful to use such a tragedy as a platform to push for the restoration of statehood. Discussions on that subject, he said, would continue at a more suitable time.

The Chief Minister also noted that this was the first terror attack of such a magnitude in Baisaran after 21 years, underscoring the shocking nature of the violence. He emphasized that despite the devastation, the people of Jammu and Kashmir must stand together and not allow such acts to divide them or overshadow their spirit.

The Pahalgam terror attack has not only reopened old wounds but also strengthened calls for firmer action against terrorism, even as leaders across political lines join voices in offering condolences and standing in solidarity with the victims’ families.