“I Invited Them Here”: Omar Abdullah’s Emotional Address After Pahalgam Terror Attack

Srinagar: In a deeply emotional and powerful address to the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah condemned the brutal terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives, including 25 tourists and one local resident. His speech, delivered during a special session of the Assembly, resonated across party lines, prompting rare praise from the BJP and sparking a moment of unity in the wake of tragedy.
Reading aloud the names and home states of each victim, Abdullah said the entire nation — from Arunachal Pradesh to Gujarat, and from Jammu and Kashmir to Kerala — had been wounded by this senseless act of terror. “From north to south, east to west, the whole country has come in the throes of this attack,” he said, describing the nationwide grief and anger that followed the massacre.
Abdullah reflected on how the people of Jammu and Kashmir had begun to believe that such violence was a thing of the past. “Unfortunately, Baisaran has taken us back to the days of fear,” he said. He recounted standing beside the Leader of the Opposition in the police control room, unable to find the words to console the families of the victims.
With visible emotion, the Chief Minister acknowledged his personal sense of responsibility. “As Chief Minister, as tourism minister, I welcomed them here. As a host, it was my responsibility to ensure their safe return. I failed. What do I say to those children who saw their fathers covered in blood? To the young widow of a Navy officer married only days ago?” he asked, recounting the harrowing stories of survivors.
He lashed out at the perpetrators, stating that those who carried out the attack in the name of Kashmir did so without the people’s consent. “Did we ask for this? Did we say that 26 people should be sent back in coffins in our name? This attack has hollowed us out,” Abdullah declared.
Yet, amid the grief, he found a glimmer of hope in the spontaneous, widespread protests that erupted across the Union Territory. “From Kathua to Kupwara, there is no village or town that didn’t rise in protest. They said, ‘Not in my name.’ This is the first time in more than two decades that Kashmiris have come out in such numbers against terror,” he said, calling it a possible turning point in the long fight against militancy.
Abdullah emphasized that militancy cannot be ended by force alone. “Guns can control it, but only people’s support can end it. And today, it feels like the people are beginning to stand with us,” he said. He cautioned against any action that could alienate the population or dampen the spirit of unity witnessed after the attack.
Paying tribute to the bravery and humanity of locals, Abdullah shared the story of Syed Adil Hussain Shah, a pony ride operator who was killed while shielding tourists. “Everyone fears death. He could have fled — no one would have blamed him — but he ran towards danger,” he said. He also praised local residents who carried the injured, shikara operators who served free food, cab drivers who offered free rides, and hotel owners who opened their doors to stranded tourists.
Abdullah concluded by acknowledging reports of Kashmiri students facing backlash in other parts of India following the attack, but also thanked state governments for controlling the situation and ensuring their safety.
In a moment of national crisis, Omar Abdullah’s speech served as a call for unity, compassion, and a reaffirmation of Kashmir’s humanity in the face of terror.