BRICS leaders condemn Pahalgam massacre; seek terrorists, their backers brought to justice

Rio de Janeiro, July 7 (IANS) In what is being viewed as a major diplomatic success for India under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, leaders of the BRICS countries on Sunday strongly condemned the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack while reaffirming their commitment to combatting cross-border movement of terrorists, terror financing and terrorist safe havens and also taking concerted actions against all UN-designated terrorists and terrorist entities. As many as 26 innocent tourists were massacred in the Pakistansponsored terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, a heinous act condemned throughout the world.

The 'Rio de Janeiro Declaration' adopted after the first day's proceedings at the 17th BRICS Summit being held in the Brazilian city, expressed "strong condemnation of any acts of terrorism as criminal and unjustifiable," regardless of their motivation, whenever, wherever and by whomsoever committed.

"We condemn in the strongest terms the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir on 22 April 2025, during which at least 26 people were killed and many more injured. We reaffirm our commitment to combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including the cross-border movement of terrorists, terrorism financing and safe havens," read Paragraph 34 of the Rio Declaration.

Investigations into the Pahalgam terror attack brought out the communication nodes of terrorists in and to Pakistan. A group calling itself The Resistance Front (TRF) - a front for the UNproscribed Pakistani terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba - had claimed responsibility for the attack.

While committing the barbaric act in Pahalgam, the Pakistani terrorists killed Indian and Nepalese nationals and injured several others after segregating them on the basis of religion.

"We reiterate that terrorism should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilisation or ethnic group and that all those involved in terrorist activities and their support must be held accountable and brought to justice in accordance with relevant national and international law," the BRICS leaders jointly stated on Sunday.