Pahalgam Attack Meant to Break Kashmir’s Spirit and Economy: Jaishankar Speaks from the Heart
In a powerful and deeply human conversation at One World Trade Center, India’s External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar shed light on the emotional and economic pain caused by the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, calling it “an act of economic warfare” designed to crush Kashmir’s growing stability and tourism.
Speaking alongside Newsweek CEO Dev Pragad, Jaishankar did not mince words. The April 22nd attack, which took the lives of 26 innocent civilians, was not only a terrorist act—it was a calculated move to derail the peace and progress that people in Kashmir had worked so hard to rebuild.
“This attack wasn’t random. It was meant to send a message. It targeted Kashmir’s tourism—the heartbeat of the local economy—and attempted to ignite religious violence by forcing victims to declare their faith before being killed,” Jaishankar shared, visibly moved.
The emotional gravity of his words echoed through the halls of the 9/11 Memorial, where the weight of terrorism is deeply felt. “It’s not just about borders or politics—it’s about human lives, about families, about dreams being shattered.”
In a firm but composed tone, he declared that India would not allow terrorism to go unanswered simply because the perpetrators hide behind a border. “Terrorism should not be allowed to enjoy impunity. Being based in another country cannot be a shield. That proposition must be challenged.”
The attack was claimed by The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy for the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), operating with ease from within Pakistan. Jaishankar pointed out that these groups function openly—some with headquarters in populated cities—operating like corporations. India responded through Operation Sindoor, targeting these very nerve centers in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
In his ongoing visit to the U.S., Jaishankar also opened an exhibit at the UN titled “The Human Cost of Terrorism”, a heartbreaking reminder of the lives lost globally to extremism. “Terrorism cannot be a tool of foreign policy. Eventually, it consumes everyone involved,” he said.
On nuclear threats often used to silence India’s right to self-defense, Jaishankar was clear and courageous: “We will not be blackmailed. If someone attacks us, they will face consequences—because defending our people is not a choice, it is our duty.”
He emphasized that India’s stand is not just political but deeply personal—rooted in decades of pain, resilience, and hope. From the tribal invasions in 1947 to the horrors of the 2008 Mumbai attacks, India has endured.
Closing his remarks with conviction, Jaishankar said: “The world must adopt zero tolerance for terrorism. No justification. No excuses. No double standards. It’s time to put humanity first.”
At that moment, it wasn’t just a minister speaking. It was a father, a citizen, a Kashmiri soul echoing the pain and the promise of a nation that refuses to bow to fear.