London [UK], April 25 (HBTV): UK MP Bob Blackman has expressed firm support for any measures India undertakes to pursue terrorists and those behind the Pahalgam attack.

Speaking at a commemorative ceremony held at India House in London, Blackman urged all UK political parties to support the Indian government in its response, including possible military action to eliminate terrorist bases across the Line of Control (LoC) in Pakistan.

He offered condolences to the victims, their families, and the Hindu community, recalling his past visit to Kashmir and expressing sorrow over attempts to disrupt tourism and peace in the region.

Blackman said, ‘We come to share the grief. When terror strikes, it strikes the hearts of humanity... This act demonstrates the hatred towards people because of their religion, and this cannot be tolerated. I asked for a statement from the government to make sure that we express not only our grief and our support for India, but also for the actions that India believes fit following this terrorist attack.’

He further added, ‘From my personal perspective, let me say, I would strongly support whatever India does to pursue the terrorists and those who have backed the terrorists, make sure they are brought to justice. If they can't be brought to justice, they must be eliminated.’

The event was organised by the High Commission of India in the UK to pay tribute to the victims of the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam. Labour MP and Foreign Office Minister for the Indo-Pacific, Catherine West, also expressed her condolences and reiterated the UK’s support for India.

In her remarks, West said, ‘I wanted to express condolences for the horrific terrorist attack in Pahalgam and my thoughts are with those affected, their loved ones and the people of India... The UK stands shoulder to shoulder with India in the face of the cowardly attacks of terrorism against innocent civilians.’

She also acknowledged the significant role of the Indian diaspora in strengthening UK-India ties and called for unity during such difficult times.

Several dignitaries, including Union Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs L Murugan, Maharashtra Minister of Social Justice Sanjay Shirsat, and various UK MPs, attended the event. Members of the Indian diaspora from across the UK gathered to show solidarity with the victims.

India's High Commissioner to the UK, Vikram Doraiswami, addressed the gathering, describing the attack as a calculated attempt to disrupt normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir and halt its socio-economic progress.

‘This is the largest killing of civilians since the Mumbai terror attacks... The purpose of this attack was purely to create terror and to undermine the ongoing normalisation of circumstances in Jammu and Kashmir,’ Doraiswami said.

He stressed that the attack targeted civilians on the basis of their religious identity and aimed to discourage tourism and business activity in the region. He emphasised the resilience of the Indian people and reiterated Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s stance on the attack.

Doraiswami said, ‘We will never forget, we will never forgive, and we will exact a punishment for this. There will be no commitments. There will be no forgiveness. There will be a price to be paid by the people who committed this act, by the people who planned it and the people who backed it.’

He concluded by affirming India’s unity and determination, stating, ‘No matter what language we speak, where we come from, how we pray, this is our country, and it is not for others to dictate how we will respond.’

On April 22, terrorists opened fire on tourists at Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam, killing 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen, and injuring several others. The attack has prompted strong countermeasures from the Indian government against Pakistan for its alleged support of cross-border terrorism. (ANI)