Supreme Court observes two-minute silence for Pahalgam attack victims

New Delhi: On Wednesday, the Supreme Court and its registry observed two minutes of silence to honour the victims of the tragic terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir.

At precisely 2 p.m., judges, lawyers, court staff, and others present stood in solemn tribute. A siren signaled the start of the silence at 1:59 p.m., lasting until 2:00 p.m., after which an "all clear" siren was sounded for a minute to mark its conclusion.

"The Hon'ble Supreme Court of India and its Registry will observe two minutes' silence today, i.e., 23 April, 2025, at 2.00 p.m. to pay tribute to, and in the memory of, those who lost their lives on account of the act of terrorism in Pahalgam in the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir," said a circular issued by the top court earlier in the day.

In a related development, a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been submitted to the Supreme Court, addressing the safety and security of individuals visiting tourist destinations, particularly in hilly and remote areas, against potential terrorist attacks.

The petition highlights the absence of safety programmes and guidelines for tourists and the general public, detailing how to protect themselves during an attack, seek immediate assistance, and find shelter.

It emphasises the need for the Centre and state governments to implement robust security measures, especially in remote valleys and hilly regions during the summer season. The petition also pointed out that tourists in Pahalgam were particularly vulnerable, being unarmed and without any security.

The terror attack occurred on Tuesday in the Baisaran Valley, near Pahalgam. Eyewitnesses reported that heavily armed terrorists emerged from nearby forests around 2:30 p.m. and opened indiscriminate fire on civilians, primarily tourists. The attack resulted in at least 26 fatalities, including an intelligence officer, and left dozens injured.

(inputs from IANS)