PAHALGAM, India: India Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the country’s resolve to “fight terrorism is unshakable” as its security forces in Kashmir carried out a major manhunt on Wednesday (Apr 23), a day after gunmen opened fire on tourists killing 26 people in the region’s deadliest attack on civilians since 2000.
Modi, who cut short a state visit to Saudi Arabia, decried the “heinous act” and pledged that the attackers “will be brought to justice”, in a post on Facebook.
“Their evil agenda will never succeed.
“Our resolve to fight terrorism is unshakable and it will get even stronger.”
He condemned the attack in the area and sent his condolences to those who have lost their loved ones.
He said that possible assistance is being provided to those affected, adding that he is praying for the injured to recover at the earliest.
The prime minister returned to India on Wednesday morning and held a meeting with India’s national security adviser, foreign minister and other senior officials at the airport.
A special security Cabinet meeting was called for 12.30pm GMT, a defence ministry official said.
“We will not only reach those who have perpetrated this incident but also those who, sitting behind the scenes, have conspired to commit such acts on the soil of India,” Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said ahead of the meeting.
“There will be a loud and clear response soon,” he said at a memorial lecture for a former Indian Air Force chief.
