Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday condemned the Pahalgam terror attack, saying it was a desperate attempt by the enemies of Kashmir and the nation to derail the region's remarkable progress.
Speaking during the 121st episode of his radio programme 'Mann Ki Baat', Modi said Kashmir had witnessed unprecedented growth in recent years, with booming tourism, vibrant schools and colleges and a surge in opportunities for the youth.
Saying that the attack in Pahalgam reflects the frustration of those who "patronise terrorism", PM Modi said, "At a time when peace was returning to Kashmir, there was vibrancy in schools and colleges, the democracy was getting strengthened, there was a rise in tourism and new opportunities were getting generated for the youth, but the enemies of Jammu and Kashmir and the country did not like this. Terrorists want to destroy Kashmir once again."enemies
The Prime Minister mentioned how global leaders called and wrote to him, condemning the act and vowed to stand behind India in its fight against terrorism.
"Global leaders have called me, written letters, sent messages. Everyone has strongly condemned this heinous terrorist attack...The entire world stands with the 1.4 billion Indians in our fight against terrorism," he said.
PM Modi reaffirmed that the families of those killed in the attack would receive justice, and stressed that the masterminds and perpetrators behind the incident would be met with the toughest possible action.
In his first reaction after the attack in which 26 people lost their lives, PM Modi said that the terrorists and conspirators behind the attack would get a punishment beyond their imagination.
"Today, on the soil of Bihar, I say to the whole world, India will identify, trace and punish every terrorist and their backers. We will pursue them to the ends of the Earth. India's spirit will never be broken by terrorism," PM Modi said.
PM Modi assured that terrorism will not go unpunished and India will make every effort to ensure justice to the innocent lives lost in the massacre. He added that punishment would be so stern that the terrorists would not have imagined this.