Strongly denouncing the brutal terror attack in Pahalgam, Punjab’s Good Governance and IT Minister and Aam Aadmi Party’s State President, Mr. Aman Arora, on Thursday paid homage to the victims and expressed heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, acknowledging the immense and irreparable loss they have suffered.
He called on the Central Government to take decisive action against terrorism and ensure those behind the Pahalgam attack are eliminated at their roots. Labeling the attack as Pakistan-sponsored, Mr. Arora stressed the urgency of dismantling the malicious agenda of the hostile neighbor and punishing the culprits.
Mr. Arora, along with MP Dr. Raj Kumar Chabbewal, Deputy Speaker Jai Krishan Singh Rouri, and MLAs Jasbir Singh Raja Gill and Karambir Singh Ghuman, offered prayers at Bade Hanuman Ji Mandir and Kesho Mandir to honor the 26 lives lost in the attack. He said the entire nation is devastated by this horrific act and stands united with the grieving families, praying for their strength and seeking justice for the innocent victims. “We pay tribute to the victims of one of the most heinous terror attacks and pray for peace for the departed souls,” he added.
Calling the attack a cowardly and inhumane act, Mr. Arora said that it demands a strong and fitting response. He termed it one of the deadliest terror strikes, condemned globally, and highlighted that the whole nation mourns the loss of 26 innocent tourists.
In response to a media question, Mr. Arora voiced serious concern over the apparent intelligence failure and the inadequate deployment of security forces in such a sensitive area. He pointed out that around 1.8 lakh army posts remain vacant and stressed the urgent need to fill these positions to protect the country from internal and external threats. He insisted that accountability must be established for the security lapses and criticized the delayed response by security forces, as highlighted by victims’ families.
Mr. Arora also expressed concern over the absence of effective leadership at the central level, stating that the country needs a full-time Home Minister committed to the safety of 140 crore citizens, rather than someone preoccupied with political maneuvering.
Also present at the tribute event were Mayor Surinder Kumar, Senior Deputy Mayor Praveen Saini, Deputy Mayor Ranjeet Chaudhary, Vice Chairman H.S. Bakshi, District Planning Committee Chairperson Karmjit Kaur, Improvement Trust Chairman Gurvinder Singh Pabla, and several others.