Lord Ranger has called upon Pakistan to take a moral stand and offer cooperation in addressing the menace of terrorism.
Prominent British peer Lord Rami Ranger FRSA has strongly condemned the recent terrorist attack on civilians in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, describing it as a “shocking and cowardly act” that not only targeted innocent holidaymakers but also jeopardised the peace and prosperity of the region.
The attack, which occurred in the popular tourist district of Pahalgam, claimed the lives of several unarmed civilians who were vacationing in the scenic valley. The perpetrators, who claimed religious motives for their actions, have drawn widespread criticism from across the political and religious spectrum.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Lord Ranger expressed deep sorrow over the incident and warned against allowing such “barbaric individuals” to derail Kashmir’s hard-won progress.
“I am shocked and saddened by the attack on defenceless civilians on holiday in Kashmir by terrorists who claim to have killed innocent people purely in the name of their religion,” said Lord Ranger. “They have not only disgraced themselves but have also brought disappointment to billions of decent Muslims who want nothing to do with such ideology or cowardly acts in the name of their faith.”
He underscored that the attack was not just a crime against those killed or injured, but an assault on the livelihoods of local Kashmiris who have seen signs of economic recovery and stability since the revocation of Article 370 in 2019.
“The Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi Ji, has deployed immense resources to bring Kashmir in line with the development of the rest of India,” he said. “These terrorists have damaged their own cause, as every decent human being in the world is appalled by their actions.”
Lord Ranger also called upon Pakistan to take a moral stand and offer cooperation in addressing the menace of terrorism. He urged Pakistani leaders to reach out directly to the Indian government to aid in identifying and apprehending those responsible.
“If Pakistan has nothing to do with this attack, I urge Pakistani leaders to show statesmanship — pick up the phone and call Prime Minister Modi, offering full cooperation in hunting down these barbaric individuals and bringing them to justice,” he stated.
Warning against generalising blame onto entire communities, Lord Ranger appealed for discernment and unity in the face of terror. “We should not allow one community at large to suffer due to the acts of these four fanatics who believe that by killing innocent people, they will earn a place in heaven. If this is not backward and poisonous thinking, then what is?”
His message concluded with a global appeal: “The world must unite against terrorism in any form, as they could be next if terrorism is not completely defeated.”
