Blackman Speaks at Memorial in London
Blackman made these comments at a memorial in London. The event honored the 26 victims of the April 22 attack in Jammu and Kashmir. He said, “We come to share the grief. When terror strikes, it strikes the hearts of humanity... This act (the terrorist attack) demonstrates the hatred towards people because of their religion, and this cannot be tolerated.”
He also shared that he raised the issue in the UK Parliament. Blackman urged the UK government to support India in taking action
Tensions in South Asia Could Rise
Blackman warned that the attack could lead to more instability in South Asia. He offered his condolences, stating, “I offer my condolences to the victims, to their families and all Hindus... We are so sorry about it.
Blackman recalled visiting Kashmir nine years ago. He remembered its natural beauty and peaceful environment. He condemned the attack as an attempt to disrupt peace and harm tourism.
“I would strongly support whatever India does to pursue the terrorists and those who have backed the terrorists... If they can't be brought to justice, they must be eliminated,” Blackman stated. He also expressed hope that UK political parties would unite in support of India
Indian Community Pays Tribute in London
The Indian High Commission in London organized the memorial. Many members of the Indian community in Britain attended the ceremony. They came to mourn the victims and show their solidarity.
Labour MP Catherine West also spoke at the event. She condemned the Pahalgam attack and offered her condolences. “I wanted to express condolences for the horrific terrorist attack in Pahalgam... The UK stands shoulder to shoulder with India in the face of the cowardly attacks of terrorism against innocent civilians,” West said.
She also emphasized the need for unity. “We must pull together in dangerous times like this... We are with you,” she added.
Indian Leaders Join the Tribute
Union Minister L Murugan and Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Shirsat attended the memorial. British MPs and other dignitaries joined them to honor the victims and express support for India.
Vikram Doraiswami, India’s High Commissioner to the UK, explained the terrorists’ motives. He said the attack aimed to disrupt peace and halt progress in Jammu and Kashmir.
“This is the largest killing of civilians since the Mumbai terror attacks... People were pulled out, identified based on their religious identity, and shot dead,” Doraiswami stated. He called it a deliberate attempt to spread fear and destabilize the region.
Doraiswami revealed that the terrorists specifically targeted innocent tourists. Among the victims were a newlywed couple and a child.
“These were lives of people like you and I... It was these people for whom that very simple, basic opportunity to live was taken away,” he added.
India Vows to Take Action
Doraiswami echoed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s strong message. “We will never forget, we will never forgive, and we will exact a punishment... There will be a price to be paid by the people who committed this act,” he warned. He assured that India would continue its journey toward peace and development, and justice would be served.
Details of the Pahalgam Attack
On April 22, terrorists attacked tourists at Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam. They killed 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen. Several others were injured.
This was one of the deadliest attacks in the region since the 2019 Pulwama bombing, which killed 40 CRPF personnel. Following the attack, India blamed Pakistan for supporting cross-border terrorism and took immediate diplomatic and security measures.