By Matters India Reporter
Jammu, April 23, 2025: Bishop Ivan Pereira of Jammu-Srinagar on April 23 expressed deep anguish and unequivocal condemnation of what he called horrific terrorist attack on innocent tourists in Kashmir state.
Suspected rebels on April 22 killed 27 people in the picturesque tourist resort of Pahalgam.
The attack in Kashmir’s southern district of Anantnag came amid the peak tourist season as thousands of tourists were holidaying in the region.
Bishop Pereira said the “act of senseless violence” has “cast a dark shadow over our collective conscience.”
The prelate also said the “brutal and cowardly act is an affront to the sanctity of human life and a betrayal of the values we hold dear as a nation—peace, harmony, and the dignity of every person.”
Meanwhile the Syro-Malabar Church has called for an end to terrorist attacks that threaten national security.
In a statement on April 23, the Church’s spokesperson Vincentian Father Antony Vadakkekara termed terrorism and terrorist attacks as major challenges to human society.
“They question the basic values of humanity and destroy the atmosphere of peace and harmony,” he added.
The Church while condemning the terrorist attack in Pahalgam urged the governments to take exemplary legal action against the terrorists. “
We pray for the peace of the souls of those who lost their lives in the terrorist attack in Pahalgam.
The statement also said terrorism not only spreads fear, but divides society and destroys its unity.
“Terrorists often target innocent people and destroy their lives. Such incidents hinder the progress of humanity.
The Church wants the public, political leaders and organizations to work together to denounce, isolate and bring such subversive activists and terrorists who are trying to divide the country.
“There should be an organized effort and strong measures to completely eradicate terrorists and terrorist organizations who endanger the good of the country, the peaceful life of the people and the security of the country itself,” it added.
Soon after the attack, police and paramilitary troops evacuated the wounded tourists and launched a manhunt for the attackers.
Federal Home Minister Amit Shah rushed to Kashmir, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi cut short a visit to Saudi Arabia to return to New Delhi, where he held a meeting on April 23 morning to decide on future action.
Pahalgam, which means “valley of shepherds” in Kashmiri, is one of the most visited tourist destinations in the region, located about 50 km from Srinagar.
The Union government’s failure is the main reason for the inhuman killings of the innocent tourists. Hence, the ruling BJP must resign on moral grounds.
Was the title meant to be a click bait. The body of the article rightly says tourists. Why did the title scream pilgrims???