Pahalgam attack sparks protest outside Pak. High Commission

BJP supporters and members of Anti Terror Action Forum during a protest march towards the Pakistan High Commission on Thursday.
| Photo Credit: SUSHIL KUMAR VERMA

A huge protest broke out outside the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi on Thursday in response to the terror attack in south Kashmir’s famed tourist resort Pahalgam, which left 26 people dead.

Holding placards and raising slogans, members of the Delhi unit of the BharatiyaJanata Party (BJP) and a group of people under the banner of Anti-Terror Action Forum demanded decisive action against Pakistan, accusingthe neighbouringcountry of supporting terror activities in India.

The protesters observed one-minute silence in memory of those killed in Tuesday’s attackin Baisaranvalley. Despite heavy security, the protest intensified when BJP workers broke through police barricades.

Following this, Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva and hundreds of BJP workers were detained by the police and taken to the Chanakyapuri police station. They were released shortly thereafter.

Speaking at the protest site, Mr. Sachdeva said, “Every Indian who loves this country is angry today.”

‘Reply in their language’

“The Pakistan-backed terrorists responsible for the Pahalgam attack will soon face the consequences. Those who kill innocent people after enquiring abouttheir religion must be answered in their language,” Mr. Sachdeva said.

Delhi Police had deployed additionalsecurity outside the High Commission after receiving alerts that several groups hadplanned to stage a protestnear Tri Murti Chowk, an officer said.

In solidarity with the victims of the attack, several trade associations have also called for a Delhibandhon Friday. Wearing black armbands, traders from key markets such as Kashmere Gate, Chandni Chowk, Sadar Bazar, ChawriBazar, Bhagirath Place, Rajouri Garden and Sarojini Nagar, held a candlelight marchat Connaught Place on Thursday.

Chamber of Trade and Industry chairmanBrijesh Goyal said the business community was deeply disturbed by the incident and stands united in condemning the attack. Over 100 markets may remain shut in response to the call, said a statement.

Candlelight march

Doctors in the national capital also held a candlelight march. Students, staff and doctors from the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Medical Sciences and Ram Manohar Lohia Hospita gathered in solidarity with the victims at Jantar Mantar. The protesters marched peacefully and expressed grief over the loss of lives.

(With inputs from PTI)