J&K Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary, while speaking at the Republic Day function in Srinagar on Monday (January 26, 2026), paid tributes to the victims of the Pahalgam attack and accused Pakistan of attempting to dent the tourism industry of the Union Territory (UT). He also expressed hope that the Centre will restore Statehood to J&K soon.
“I pay heartfelt tributes to the Pahalgam attack victims, who had come from different parts of the country. Pakistan has inflicted wounds on us. Pakistan’s actions resulted in loss of innocent lives and hit the economy of J&K. Pakistan also dented the tourism industry of J&K,” Mr. Choudhary said, while referring to the Pahalgam attack.
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Twenty-six civilians, including 25 tourists and a local, were killed by a group of terrorists on April 22, 2025 in Pahalgam’s Baisaran meadow.
Praising locals and security forces for standing together against the challenges posed by Pakistan, Mr. Choudhary said people and security forces “will not allow evil designs of Pakistan to succeed” in J&K.
