"Maine dawat di thi...": Omar Abdullah blames himself for Pahalgam deaths

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah addressed a special assembly session on the recent Pahalgam terror attack. Expressing deep regret, he said, "As Chief Minister and Tourism Minister, we invited people to come here. As a host, it was my responsibility to ensure everyone returned safely. I couldn’t do that."

At the beginning of the session, House members observed a two-minute silence to pay homage to the 26 people killed in the tragedy last week.

"The Legislative Assembly of Jammu and Kashmir reaffirms its unwavering commitment to foster an environment of peace, development, and inclusive prosperity for all its citizens, and to resolutely defeat the nefarious designs of those who seek to disturb the communal harmony and progress of the nation and of Jammu and Kashmir," the resolution stated.

Concluding a discussion on the resolution, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who also holds the tourism portfolio, condemned the Pahalgam terror attack and admitted that he failed in his responsibility of ensuring a safe return for tourists.

"The security in Jammu and Kashmir is not the responsibility of the elected government, but I will not use this opportunity (terror attack) to seek statehood. How can I push for statehood using the Pahalgam terror attack?" Underlining the impact of the ghastly attack on the entire country, he said, "From north to south and from east to west... from Arunachal to Gujarat and Jammu and Kashmir to Kerala... the entire country has been affected by this attack."

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Abdullah said the Baisaran attack took place after a gap of 21 years. "We thought such attacks were a story of the past. Unfortunately, this (Pahalgam) attack has recreated a situation we hoped had been left behind. We never know when another such attack might take place. I do not have the words to seek forgiveness from the families who lost their dear ones," he said.

The chief minister, however, noted that even in the face of this inhuman and dastardly attack, a new ray of hope has emerged from Kashmir.

"For the first time in many years, I witnessed protests that were truly unified. No political party or leader orchestrated them, and no organised banners or candlelight marches were planned. The outrage and grief were spontaneous, coming straight from the hearts of the people. Every mosque observed silence" he said.

Abdullah emphasised that this change must be encouraged and strengthened. "We must boost and nurture this spirit of unity, compassion, and resilience that has emerged from among the people themselves," he added.

Addressing the Assembly earlier while moving the resolution, Deputy CM Choudhary said, "This House expresses its profound shock and anguish at the barbaric and inhumane attack on innocent civilians in Pahalgam on April 22, 2025." He reiterated the House's unequivocal condemnation of the heinous and cowardly act that resulted in the loss of innocent lives.