A memorial event was held at the Thiruvalluvar Cultural Centre in Jaffna to honour the 26 civilians who were killed in a shooting incident in Pahalgam, in the Indian-administered Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, on 22 April.
The victims were part of a group of Hindu tourists targeted while visiting the Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam, in what has become one of the deadliest attacks in the region in recent years. The massacre has reignited regional tensions between India and Pakistan.
Organised by the Consulate General of India in Jaffna, the Jaffna commemoration opened with Northern Province Governor Nagalingam Vethanayagan lighting a ceremonial flame and offering floral tributes at a memorial plaque dedicated to the victims. Attendees also recorded their condolences in a memorial book.
The event was attended by interfaith religious leaders, Indian Consul Mr Sai Murali, the Vice-Chancellor of Vavuniya University, former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Jaffna Prof Balasundarampillai, university lecturers, students, Northern Province Chief Secretary Mr Ilangovan, Indian consular officials, trade association members and a range of civil society representatives.
The memorial took place at the Indian-funded Thiruvalluvar Cultural Centre, which has served as a growing symbol of cultural and diplomatic engagement between Tamil communities in the North-East and India.
In the wake of the attack, Indian officials have pointed to Pakistan-based militants as being responsible, while Islamabad has denied involvement. The incident has heightened tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbours.
The event in Jaffna stood as an expression of solidarity with the victims and a reminder of the cost of political violence across the region.
