Quad foreign ministers condemn Pahalgam terror attack, call for swift justice

The foreign ministers of the Quad alliance - comprising the United States, India, Japan, and Australia - issued a strong joint statement on Wednesday condemning the Pahalgam terror attack.

The April 22 terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam claimed 26 lives.

They demanded that the perpetrators be swiftly brought to justice and renewed their commitment to global counterterrorism efforts.

"The Quad unequivocally condemns all acts of terrorism and violent extremism in all its forms and manifestations, including cross-border terrorism, and renews our commitment to counterterrorism cooperation," the statement read. "We condemn in the strongest terms the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir on April 22, 2025, which claimed the lives of 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen, while injuring several others."

The statement extended heartfelt condolences to the families of those killed and wished a speedy recovery to the injured.

The Quad ministers also called upon the international community to cooperate fully in holding the attackers accountable. "We call for the perpetrators, organisers, and financiers of this reprehensible act to be brought to justice without any delay and urge all UN Member States, in accordance with their obligations under international law and relevant UNSCRs, to cooperate actively with all relevant authorities in this regard," the ministers added.

The attack took place in the scenic Baisaran Valley, a popular tourist destination often referred to as "Mini Switzerland" for its lush green meadows. Eyewitnesses described the chaos and fear as gunfire erupted, sending tourists fleeing for cover in the open valley. Among the victims was one Nepali national.

Following investigations that linked the attackers to Pakistan-based terror groups, India responded with firm diplomatic action, including suspending the longstanding Indus Water Treaty.

This was followed by Operation Sindoor, a military campaign launched by India on the night of May 7-8 targeting terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir. The operation sparked a brief but intense period of military escalation, which concluded with an agreement between India and Pakistan to halt all armed exchanges on land, air, and sea.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar addressed the attack and India's response during the Quad Foreign Ministers' meeting held at the US State Department. He stated: “A word about terrorism in the light of our recent experience. The world must display zero tolerance. Victims and perpetrators must never be equated and India has every right to defend its people against terrorism and we will exercise that right. We expect our Quad partners to understand and appreciate that.”

Earlier this week, while inaugurating an exhibition titled “The Human Cost of Terrorism” at the UN headquarters, Jaishankar indirectly called out Pakistan for sponsoring terrorism. He emphasised that acts of terrorism backed by states and driven by extremist ideologies must be publicly condemned.

“Terrorism is one of the gravest threats to humanity. It is the antithesis of everything that the UN stands for – human rights, rules and norms and how nations should conduct their dealings with each other,” he stated, underlining the collective responsibility of the international community in confronting terror in all its forms.