Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday said the Pahalgam terror attack is evidence.
that terrorism is breathing its last, asserting that those behind the attack will be dealt with firmly, and the “poisonous fangs of terror” will be crushed with full force. The Chief Minister reached the residence of Shubham Dwivedi, one of the 26 victims of the Pahalgam terror attack, to pay tributes before the final rites in Kanpur. During his visit, Adityanath spoke with Dwivedi’s father and wife.
Addressing the media afterwards, the Chief Minister condemned the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, describing it as cruel, gruesome, and cowardly.
“Our government is working with a zero-tolerance policy against terrorism and extremism. The poisonous fangs of terror will be crushed with full force,” he said.
He highlighted that the attack, which targeted tourists based on their religion, has been condemned globally. Adityanath reaffirmed the government’s stance on terrorism, indicating that the process of eradicating it is well underway.
“The barbarism inflicted on Hindu mothers and sisters, the desecration of their sindoor (vermilion) in front of them, will not go unpunished. The terrorists and their masters will be made to pay, and no one should have any doubt about that,” he added.
Adityanath noted that Shubham Dwivedi was the only son of his family and had married just two months ago. He expressed his condolences and prayers for Shubham’s soul, condemning the inhuman and barbaric act.
Shubham Dwivedi’s body arrived in Kanpur late on Wednesday. Arrangements were made for his last rites with state honours. The Chief Minister, accompanied by Assembly Speaker Satish Mahana, BJP State President Bhupendra Chaudhary, Cabinet Minister Rakesh Sachan, MP Ramesh Awasthi, minister Pratibha Shukla, MLAs, and other officials, offered support to the family.
On Tuesday afternoon, armed terrorists launched an attack in Baisaran, a location often referred to as ‘mini Switzerland’ near Pahalgam in J&K, approximately 6 km from the resort town. They targeted tourists who were enjoying pony rides, picnics, or dining at local eateries.
Footage from the scene showed lifeless bodies and distressed women. The sudden gunfire triggered widespread panic, leading tourists to desperately seek cover in the open area.
The entire district administration and police force responded rapidly, utilizing ambulances and a helicopter to evacuate the injured. Some of the wounded were also transported on ponies by local residents.
On Wednesday, the Union Government announced strict diplomatic measures against Pakistan, including the suspension of the Indus-Waters Treaty, which governs the sharing of the Indus River’s waters. This decision followed a Cabinet Committee on Security meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in response to a recent deadly attack. Additionally, the central government has scheduled an all-party meeting for Thursday.