SOURCE ; NEW18
Last Updated:April 23, 2025, 10:43 IST
Pahalgam Terror Attack: Lashkar-linked terrorists opened fire on tourists in J&K’s Pahalgam, killing 28 people. Many world leaders including Trump and Putin condemned the act.
Security personnel keep vigil amid high alert after terrorists attacked a group of tourists at Pahalgam. (PTI)
Pahalgam Terror Attack: While US President Donald Trump, Italian PM Giorgia Meloni and Russian President Vladimir Putin have expressed condolences after the devastating Pahalgam terror attack on Tuesday, there has been no word from Pakistan, China and Canada, nearly 18 hours after the tragic incident.
Terrorists linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba opened fire indiscriminately on tourists in J&K’s Pahalgam, killing 28 and injuring several others. The Resistance Front, a Lashkar offshoot, claimed responsibility for the attack via a social media post, sharing an image of an injured tourist. At least two foreign nationals were also killed in the terrorist attack.
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Representatives of several countries, including Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, European Commission Chief Ursula von der Leyen and ambassadors of other nations like Japan, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Estonia and France have condemned the incident and said there was no justification for such an inhumane act.
Trump even spoke to Prime Minister Modi on Tuesday to express his condolences over the Pahalgam terror attack. Condemning the attack, Trump assured India of full support in its fight against terrorism. Russia’s Putin also condemned the incident as a “brutal crime” with “no justification whatsoever”.
However, there has been no reaction from Pakistan, China, or Canada on the terror attack. The silence comes amid already strained diplomatic ties – India and Canada have faced tensions over allegations over the death of a Khalistani extremist, while New Delhi is also navigating a fragile relationship with Pakistan’s all-weather friend China following border standoffs.
Pakistan
Pakistan is a long-known perpetrator of cross-border terrorism and the hub of terrorist groups like Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), which was responsible for the 26/11 attacks. The Resistance Front (TRF) is a Lashkar-related group.
In a statement, Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said, “Pakistan has no link with the Pagalgam terror attack.”
He continued, “The Central government in India is facing protests in many states, including Nagaland, Manipur, Kashmir, and Chhattisgarh. This is home-grown as the government is exploiting many. We do not support terrorism in any form, and locals should not be a target for terrorists, and we have no doubt about it.”
Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson said, “We extend our condolences to the near ones of the deceased and wish the injured a speedy recovery.”
Recently, Pakistan’s Army Chief Asim Munir made a chest-thumping speech in Islamabad, peddling the two-nation theory and stressed that India and Pakistan are two different nations. He said Pakistanis are different from Hindus in their culture, ambition, ideologies, and more. He also referred to Kashmir as Pakistan’s “jugular vein”.
China
Relations between India and China have been tense, particularly after the military standoff in eastern Ladakh and Beijing’s close ties to Pakistan. However, India-China ties had shown signs of improvement after both countries agreed on military disengagement in eastern Ladakh, and PM Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping held their first bilateral meeting in Kazan in years.
China expressed shock over the attack in Pahalgam and condemned it. Beijing said, “Shocked by the attack in Pahalgam and condemn. Deep condolences for the victims and sincere sympathies to the injured and the bereaved families. Oppose terrorism of all forms.”
Canada
Relations between India and Canada nosedived after former Canadian PM Justin Trudeau accused Indian agents of orchestrating the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. India responded to these allegations as “absurd” and “politically motivated”, as it expelled six Canadian diplomats in a tit-for-tat move.
India also called on Canada to take action against threats against Indian diplomats and anti-India messages promoted by Khalistani extremists. Despite the change of leadership from Trudeau to Mark Carney, much of the diplomatic tension between India and Canada remains unresolved.
