"Kashmiris are ashamed": Mehbooba Mufti condemns Pahalgam terror attack, leads protest march
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Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday publicly condemned the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, which claimed the lives of 26 people, calling it a shameful act and extending an apology to the people of India.
She emphasised that the people of Kashmir shared the grief and pain of the victims and their families.
Leading a protest march along with PDP workers, Mufti gathered at the party headquarters near Sher-e-Kashmir Park in Srinagar before marching to Lal Chowk. Participants held placards with messages like "This is an attack on all of us," "Killing innocents is an act of terror," and "Stop innocent killings."
Addressing the media after the protest, Mufti described the attack as not only a tragedy for the victims but also a blow to Kashmiriyat — the region’s cultural ethos of peace and harmony.
“This attack wasn’t just on tourists, it was an attack on all of us. We strongly condemn it. It is one of the most cowardly acts imaginable,” she said. “The Home Minister is currently here and must ensure that those responsible are identified and brought to justice swiftly.”
Mufti called on the central government to act decisively and deliver exemplary punishment to the attackers. She further expressed that the pain of the nation was shared deeply by the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
“I want to tell the people of India — we are ashamed. Kashmiris are ashamed. This has broken our hearts,” she said. “We stand in solidarity with every family that has suffered because of this.”
When asked whether the incident was due to a lapse in security, Mufti declined to politicise the issue. “Now is not the time for blame games. Our entire focus should be on supporting the victims and ensuring such a tragedy never happens again,” she added.