 "Russian President Vladimir Putin attends the Orthodox Easter service at the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour in Moscow, Russia on Sunday. Reuters")
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday expressed his condolences to President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi after the tragic terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam, which claimed 28 lives.
In his message, Putin wrote:
“Esteemed Mrs President, Esteemed Mr Prime Minister,
Kindly accept the sincere condolences over the tragic consequences of the terrorist attack in Pahalgam whose victims were civilians — citizens of various countries. This brutal crime has no justification whatsoever. We expect that its organisers and perpetrators will face a deserved punishment.”
“I would like to reiterate our commitment to further increasing cooperation with Indian partners in fighting terrorism in all its forms and manifestations,” he added.
In his message, President Putin also requested President Murmu and PM Modi to convey his sincere sympathy and support to the families of the deceased, as well as his wishes for the speedy recovery of all those injured.
Terrorists opened fire at a famed meadow near Kashmir’s Pahalgam on Tuesday afternoon, killing at least 28 people, mostly tourists, in what is the deadliest attack in the valley since the 2019 Pulwama strike, reported PTI.
The dead included two foreigners and two locals, a high ranking official said without getting into details.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah described the terror attack as “much larger than anything we’ve seen directed at civilians in recent years”.
Baisaran, about six kilometres from the resort town of Pahalgam, is an expansive meadow ringed by dense pine forests and mountains and a favourite with visitors from across the country and the world.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsArmed terrorists came into the grassland, dubbed “mini Switzerland”, and started firing at tourists milling around eateries, taking pony rides or picnicking, officials and eyewitnesses said.
As news of the attack spread, The Resistance Front (TRF), a shadow group of the banned Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terror group, claimed responsibility.
The officials said it was possible members of the terror group crossed over from Kishtwar in Jammu and reached Baisaran through Kokernag in south Kashmir.
With inputs from agencies