The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of India has expressed deep anguish over the brutal killing of 28 civilians by terrorists in Jammu & Kashmir’s Pahalgam region on April 22, 2025. The victims were reportedly targeted based on their religious identity.

In a strongly worded statement, the Commission condemned the horrific act, calling it a grave assault on defenseless civilians who were simply vacationing in the valley. The NHRC noted that the heinous nature of the crime has deeply affected the collective conscience of humanity and stands as a stark example of human rights violations against innocent people and their grieving families.

Highlighting the global impact of terrorism, the Commission reiterated that such acts remain among the most significant threats to human rights today. It warned that failure to act decisively against those who sponsor or support terrorism could result in the erosion of democratic freedoms, growing fear among communities, and serious violations of core human rights, including the rights to life, liberty, dignity, and livelihood.

The NHRC urged the state to take swift and effective action to ensure accountability, deliver justice by bringing the culprits to book, and offer comprehensive support to the families of those who lost their lives.