Investigate Pahalgam terror attack, fix accountability, demands NAPM

By A Representative 

One month after the tragic terror attack on April 22, 2025, in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed the lives of 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen at Baisaran meadow, the National Alliance of People’s Movements (NAPM) has issued a detailed statement condemning the violence and calling for accountability and peace. The attack, executed by armed terrorists in a popular tourist destination, has left the nation grappling with unresolved questions about significant security lapses in one of the world’s most militarized regions.

In its statement, NAPM demanded a thorough investigation into the incident, emphasizing transparency and accountability. The group stated: “NAPM demands a thorough investigation be conducted and its findings be made public at the earliest. The Home Minister’s Office is directly accountable for the deaths of these 26 people. The Minister in charge must respect the responsibility that comes with the office and either commit to informing the Indian people at the earliest about the lapses that took place on his watch, or accept his incompetence and resign immediately.”

NAPM raised critical concerns about how heavily armed terrorists entered the area undetected, selected their victims, and escaped unapprehended despite Kashmir’s intense security measures, particularly following the abrogation of Article 370. The group questioned the absence of security personnel at the site and the failure to apprehend the identified terrorists, highlighting systemic failures in the region’s security framework.

Referring to India’s military response, Operation Sindoor, which involved strikes on nine alleged terrorist sites in Pakistan, the statement said, it escalated tensions between the two nuclear-armed nations. Official reports indicate 16 civilian and 5 military deaths in India, and 40 civilian and 11 military deaths in Pakistan, though actual figures may be higher. The conflict, halted by an American-mediated ceasefire on May 10, 2025, failed to achieve strategic deterrence, claimed NAPM.

NAPM called for a White Paper on Operation Sindoor to disclose details of the military actions and losses, criticizing the government’s lack of transparency. The group accused the ruling BJP of politicizing the conflict to deflect accountability for security failures and to mobilize domestic support, particularly in light of upcoming elections in Bihar.

The alliance linked the Pahalgam attack to the BJP’s repressive policies in Kashmir, including the abrogation of Article 370 and the curtailment of political agency, arguing these have failed to curb terrorism and have instead fueled geopolitical instability. NAPM condemned the communal violence that followed, noting 113 anti-Muslim hate incidents and attacks on Kashmiris across India, as well as the targeting of public figures like Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and his daughter for their roles or views on the ceasefire.

NAPM also slammed Indian media for spreading misinformation, citing the false labeling of Qari Mohammad Iqbal, a teacher killed in Poonch, as a terrorist by major news channels. The group demanded an independent tribunal to investigate media misconduct and cancel licenses of outlets found guilty of spreading fake news, arguing that such actions undermined India’s international credibility and fueled communal tensions.

The statement criticized India’s decision to hold the Indus Water Treaty in abeyance, calling it a morally indefensible act targeting Pakistani civilians, particularly farmers. NAPM warned that this could set a dangerous precedent in South Asia, given India’s reliance on rivers controlled by upper riparian states like Nepal and China.

On the diplomatic front, NAPM noted India’s limited international support for its military actions, with only Israel offering clear backing, and criticized the U.S.-mediated ceasefire for undermining India’s stance against internationalizing the Kashmir dispute. The group also questioned the government’s refusal to hold a joint parliamentary session to address these issues, accusing it of avoiding accountability.

NAPM urged the restoration of statehood and democratic rights in Kashmir, the reinstatement of the Indus Water Treaty, and diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation. The alliance called on progressive forces in India and Pakistan to build anti-war movements, emphasizing that the interests of ordinary citizens must prevail over militaristic agendas to foster peace, justice, and accountability.