Ex. Servicemen Condemned Pahalgam Terrorist Attack, Call for Stronger Action Against Pakistan from the Central Government.
Shimla:
In the wake of the brutal terrorist attack on innocent tourists in Pahalgam, Kashmir on April 22, the United Front of Ex-Servicemen (JCOs & OR) Himachal Pradesh has issued a strongly worded statement condemning the incident and demanding a tougher stance from the Indian government against Pakistan.
Chairman of the organisation, Capt Jagdish Verma (Retd), termed the attack by Pakistan-trained terrorists as “most condemnable and unfortunate,” stating that the response by the Indian government so far has been “too mild” to deter further provocations. “At the behest of every member of our organisation, we strongly denounce this cowardly act and appeal to the Central Government to take harder, more decisive steps to teach Pakistan a lesson,” he said.
The statement draws attention to the historical context of Pakistan-backed terrorism in India, recalling the 2019 Pulwama attack that claimed the lives of 40 CRPF personnel and citing frequent attacks on Indian soldiers and civilians. “It is heartbreaking that tricolor-draped coffins of brave soldiers continue to arrive in villages across the nation while Pakistan remains unaccountable,” said Verma.
While the ex-servicemen acknowledged the Indian government’s recent diplomatic measures—such as the closure of the Wagah Border, cancellation of visas, embassy staff reduction, and temporary suspension of the Indus Water Treaty—they believe these actions fall short. “These are symbolic gestures. For a nation that did not even accept the bodies of their fallen soldiers during the 1999 Kargil conflict, stronger measures are needed,” the statement emphasized.
The organisation also called for a re-evaluation of the 1960 Indus Water Treaty, under which India continues to allow over 80% of river waters to flow into Pakistan, despite repeated hostilities.
“There is a stark contrast—India is becoming a global power economically and diplomatically, yet continues to bleed from the wounds of terrorism. The situation demands bold, uncompromising decisions, including a fresh strategy to reclaim Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK), which remains under illegal occupation since 1948,” said Capt Verma.
To express their anguish and demand action, the United Front of Ex-Servicemen will be holding a state-wide rally tomorrow, Saturday, April 26, at 11 AM. The rally will take place across all 12 districts of Himachal Pradesh. Memorandums will be submitted through respective Tehsildars, Sub-Divisional Magistrates (SDMs), and Deputy Commissioners (DCs) to the President and Prime Minister of India.
The organisation reiterated that the sacrifices of Indian soldiers and citizens must not go in vain and called for national unity in the fight against terrorism.
