All-Party Meeting in Delhi Condemns Pahalgam Terror Attack: Signals United Front Against Terrorism
New Delhi, April 24, 2025 – In the wake of the horrific Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives, mostly tourists, on April 22, 2025, the Union Government convened an all-party meeting at the Parliament Annexe building in New Delhi on Thursday evening to address the escalating crisis and chart a unified response. Chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, the meeting saw participation from key political leaders across the spectrum, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi.
The meeting, which began at 6 PM, was marked by a rare show of unity as leaders unequivocally condemned the attack, perpetrated by The Resistance Front (TRF), a Pakistan-linked militant group, in the Baisaran Valley near Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. The government admitted to security lapses, with sources quoting a ruling party leader stating, “If nothing had gone wrong, why would we be sitting here? There have been lapses somewhere that we have to find out.” The attack, described as the deadliest in India since the 2008 Mumbai attacks, targeted tourists in a popular meadow, with attackers reportedly identifying victims by religion before opening fire.
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, briefing reporters post-meeting, emphasized the collective resolve, saying, “All parties expressed solidarity with the government and stood united against terrorism. The Defence Minister informed leaders about the incident and the actions taken by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS).” The CCS, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 23, had earlier announced stringent measures against Pakistan, including suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, closing the Attari border, and expelling Pakistani military advisors from New Delhi.
Opposition leaders, while supportive, pressed for accountability. Rahul Gandhi, speaking after the meeting, said, “Everyone condemned the Pahalgam terrorist attack. The opposition has given full support to the government to take any action.”
Congress leaders also raised concerns about the failure of security protocols, noting that the Baisaran area, traditionally restricted until the Amarnath Yatra in June, was opened without adequate security clearance.
The delayed response to the attack, attributed to the site’s inaccessibility, was another point of contention.
The meeting saw participation from major parties, including BJP, Congress, NCP, AAP, TMC, DMK, SP, and TDP, among others. However, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi initially criticized the government for excluding smaller parties, calling it “undemocratic.” After raising the issue with Union Minister Kiren Rijiju and appealing to PM Modi, Owaisi received an invitation and attended, reinforcing the need for all voices to be heard on national security issues.
Prime Minister Modi, addressing a rally in Bihar earlier that day, vowed that the perpetrators and their conspirators would face punishment “beyond their imagination.” The government briefed the leaders on diplomatic measures, including briefing ambassadors from the US, UK, and China on the attack and its cross-border linkages. The Jammu and Kashmir government announced an ex-gratia payment of ₹10 lakh for the families of the deceased, while airlines like Air India and IndiGo operated additional flights to evacuate stranded tourists.
The all-party meeting highlights a unified national stance against terrorism, with leaders demanding tougher action to dismantle terror networks. As India navigates the diplomatic fallout with Pakistan, which termed the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty an “act of war,” the government faces the challenge of balancing retribution with maintaining peace in the volatile region.
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