People of J&K Stand United Against Terror, It Is Our Own Blood That Has Been Spilled: NC MP Ruhullah Mehdi
Srinagar, April 23: National Conference (NC) Member of Parliament Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi delivered a powerful message of unity and grief in the aftermath of the heinous terrorist attack in Pahalgam, asserting that the people of Jammu and Kashmir stand unequivocally against such barbarism. Addressing the media in Budgam district, Mehdi condemned the attack in the strongest terms, stating that the rage and sorrow expressed across the Valley proves the perpetrators do not represent either the religion of Islam or the aspirations of the people of Kashmir.
“This is not just the blood of the victims—it is our blood that has been spilled. This attack is not an isolated tragedy for a few families; it is a collective loss for the entire region. The people of Jammu and Kashmir are united in grief and outrage,” Mehdi said.
Referring to the widespread condemnation and public mourning across the Valley, he said the heartfelt reactions show that Kashmiris reject violence in all its forms. “From every corner of J&K, voices have risen to denounce this savagery. It is clear that those who carried out this attack have no association with Islam or any legitimate cause. They are not our own, and they certainly are not doing this in our name,” Mehdi added.
The Srinagar Lok Sabha MP lamented that terrorism has taken a heavy toll on the region for over four decades, yet violence continues to claim innocent lives. “This is the same terror that we, the people of Kashmir, have been enduring and resisting for the last 40 years. We have sacrificed countless lives, shed our own blood, and still, this menace persists. Words fall short to truly condemn the horror of what unfolded yesterday,” he said.
On the question of preventing such attacks in the future, Mehdi took aim at the Central Government’s repeated claims of having dismantled terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir following the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019. “This is not the time to politicize, but let’s be clear—this latest attack exposes the hollowness of the narrative that terrorism has been eradicated from J&K. The government said Article 370’s abrogation ended violence—this incident has proven that claim false.”
He further added, “We had warned earlier that the removal of Article 370 wouldn’t end bloodshed, and innocent lives would continue to be lost. The Centre must now step out of its delusions and start addressing the ground realities. Security cannot be managed through slogans and propaganda—it requires genuine commitment and action, not political grandstanding.”
Mehdi urged the government to stop treating the issue of terrorism as a tool for political mileage, and instead to act with sincerity in safeguarding the lives of all citizens, including visiting tourists. “The fight against terrorism should be about protecting people, not pushing a party agenda. This country needs leadership that values human lives over headlines,” he remarked.
The deadly terror strike on Tuesday at a popular tourist destination in Pahalgam, South Kashmir, resulted in the deaths of at least 26 individuals, including two foreign nationals from the UAE and Nepal, and two locals. Dozens were injured in what is being described as the most brutal attack on civilians in the Valley since the 2019 Pulwama incident.
