Quad slams Pahalgam terror strike, demands swift justice for victims

In a powerful display of solidarity, foreign ministers of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue — comprising India, the United States, Japan, and Australia — on July 2 condemned in the “strongest terms” the April 22 terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam that left 26 people dead, including 25 Indian nationals and a Nepali citizen.

Meeting for the first time since India’s cross-border military response to the assault, the ministers issued a joint statement calling for the immediate prosecution of the “perpetrators, organizers, and financiers” behind the attack. The ministers reaffirmed their unified stance against terrorism in all forms, including cross-border terror operations.

“We call for the perpetrators, organizers, and financiers of this reprehensible act to be brought to justice without any delay,” the statement read, urging full cooperation from all UN member states in line with international law and United Nations Security Council resolutions.

The ministers also extended their condolences to the bereaved families and wished a swift recovery to those injured in the massacre, which occurred when terrorists opened fire on civilians at the scenic Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam — an attack later linked to Pakistan-based terror networks.

'Zero tolerance': Jaishankar sends strong message

India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, addressing the summit, emphasized that India will not tolerate terrorism in any form and will exercise its right to defend its citizens.

“The world must display zero tolerance for terrorism,” Jaishankar declared. “Victims and perpetrators must never be equated. India has every right to defend its people, and we expect our Quad partners to understand and support that.”

Following the deadly strike, India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7 — a targeted military operation against terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), underscoring New Delhi’s intent to act decisively in the face of cross-border threats.

The Quad’s united condemnation is seen as a significant diplomatic win for India, reinforcing global support for its counter-terrorism posture while pressuring Pakistan to rein in militant proxies operating from its soil.