BRICS Declaration Condemns Pahalgam Attack That Killed 26 in Jammu and Kashmir

BRICS Declaration Condemns Pahalgam Attack

BRICS nations issued a strong condemnation of the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir on 22 April 2025 that killed 26 people and injured many more. [1] The New Delhi Declaration stated that the grouping condemns in the strongest terms the terrorist attack in J&K on 22 April 2025 during which 26 people were killed and many more injured. [1] The declaration reaffirmed the commitment to combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations including the cross-border movement of terrorists terrorism financing and safe havens. [1] It called for zero tolerance for terrorism and rejection of double standards in countering terrorism while emphasising the primary responsibility of states in combating terrorism. [1] The statement stressed that global efforts to prevent and counter terrorist threats must fully comply with obligations under international law. [4] BRICS nations urged 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. [4]

India's Position on Pakistan-Sponsored Terrorism Reflected in Declaration

The BRICS declaration mirrored India's consistent stand on the threat from terrorist groups based in Pakistan which Pakistan has reared and funded as part of its proxy war against India. [1] It echoed concerns over selective international responses particularly by China in countering terrorism. [1] The declaration emphasised that terrorism should not be associated with any religion nationality civilisation or ethnic group. [1] It highlighted the primary responsibility of states in combating terrorism and the need for global efforts to comply with international law including the Charter of the UN and relevant conventions. [4] The formulation on cross-border movement of terrorists terrorism financing and safe havens reflected India's position on threats from groups based in Pakistan. [1] The unanimous declaration rejected double standards in countering terrorism and called for accountability for those supporting terror. [4]

Decomposed body of a suspected Jaish terrorist and an M4 rifle recovered in Doda, Jammu and Kashmir. — Source: timesofindia

Details of the Pahalgam Attack and Indian Response

The Pahalgam terror attack on 22 April 2025 was carried out by UN-designated terrorist Hafiz Saeed-led Lashkar-e-Taiba and its proxy The Resistance Front backed by the Pakistani state. [4] The attack killed 25 Hindu tourists and one local pony operator from the Kashmir Valley. [4] The National Investigation Agency filed two charge sheets in the terror attack including one against Saeed. [4] Three Pakistani terrorists who carried out the killings were killed in an encounter with security forces in July last year. [4] India is preparing to conduct a trial in absentia for Hafiz Saeed. [4] In response to the attack India launched Operation Sindoor bombing nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in pre-dawn strikes in which at least 100 terrorists were killed. [4] The operation sparked a series of attacks and counter-attacks across the western border involving fighter jets missiles armed drones and fierce artillery and rocket duels. [4] In one such attack on the night of May 9-10 the Indian Air Force struck targets at 13 Pakistani airbases and military installations. [4] After four days of fighting military hostilities were stopped on May 10 evening as the two nations reached an understanding. [4]

Ongoing Counter-Terror Operations in Jammu and Kashmir

Decomposed remains of a suspected Pakistani Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist were found along with an M4 rifle in Divshetar area of J&K’s Doda district. [2] Security forces suggested the corpse had been lying in the snow-capped hills since the man’s death in a past operation. [2] Locals noticed the body in Seoj Dhar zone and intimated authorities. [2] A J&K Police post stated that SOG Doda Rashtriya Rifles and CRPF retrieved the remains of a Pakistani Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist who had been neutralised earlier in a joint operation and a night vision-enabled M4 rifle was also recovered. [2] Searches to smoke out terrorists from the higher reaches of Doda Kishtwar Kathua Udhampur Rajouri and Poonch districts in Jammu zone have been common over the past two years resulting in nearly a dozen encounters. [2] Barely a month ago four suspected terrorists were spotted scaling the Ramtund peak in Doda’s Seoj Dhar area triggering intensive searches. [2] In Feb this year Doda cops pasted posters seeking information about Saifullah a self-styled Jaish commander from Pakistan suspected to be holed up in the Chatroo belt of adjoining Kishtwar district. [2] In Sept last year an Army jawan died from injuries suffered in an encounter after terrorists opened fire on a patrolling team in the forests of Doda’s Bhaderwah. [2]

BRICS nations condemn the Pahalgam terrorist attack that killed 26 people in Jammu and Kashmir. — Source: ukrainskapravda

German Investigation Links Russian Intelligence to Leipzig Airport Drone Attack

German security agencies identified with a high degree of probability two suspects following the drone attack on Leipzig/Halle Airport with one of them linked to Russian military intelligence. [3] The two main suspects are Belarusian citizen Andrei Ka. and Russian citizen Oleg Le. [3] Security services believe Le. was responsible for planning and logistics for the attack and he is believed to have links to Russian military intelligence. [3] Le. entered Germany via Türkiye through Berlin Brandenburg Airport and later left through the same airport for Serbia and is now in Russia. [3] Investigators already knew when he arrived that the Russian citizen is linked to Russia's military intelligence. [3] The attack occurred on the evening of 4 August with an explosive drone found near a Ukrainian transport aircraft and defused. [3] Investigators found the remains of two more drones near the airport. [3] Two of the three drones used in the attack were reportedly destroyed during take-off. [3] The third drone reached the Antonov aircraft but failed to explode because the detonator broke off. [3] The plan was to use a total of around 1.8 kg of Semtex explosive on the Antonov aircraft that was carrying about 25,000 litres of kerosene. [3] Investigators believe that had the explosive charge detonated it would have caused a powerful blast and destroyed part of the airport. [3] Forensic experts found fragments of a glove with traces of DNA on the structure of an antenna which law enforcement officials believe was used to control the drone. [3] These DNA traces had previously been registered in Finland and Lithuania where Ka. has convictions for ordinary criminal offences. [3] Polish authorities have also linked Ka. to a fire at a DIY store in the city of Łódź Poland in the summer of 2024 which prosecutors in Łódź are treating as sabotage. [3] The explosives used in the Leipzig attack probably entered Germany via Bulgaria and Serbia transported in hidden compartments in lorries and later concealed in underground caches. [3] Police found several potential hiding places near Leipzig airport after analysing data from a rented car used by the suspects. [3] Russia has denied any involvement. [3]

Broader Implications for International Counter-Terrorism Cooperation

BRICS member states welcomed the activities of the BRICS Counter-Terrorism Working Group and its five subgroups based upon the BRICS counter-terrorism strategy the Brics counter-terrorism action plan and the CTWG Position Paper. [4] The grouping called for an expeditious finalization and adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism in the UN framework. [4] It called for concerted actions against all UN designated terrorists and terrorist entities. [4] The BRICS nations emphasised the importance of countering extremism and radicalization specially among the younger generations. [4] German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt is planning a package of measures covering protection against drones and sabotage targeting critical infrastructure and cyberattacks as well as the detection of spies and potential terrorists. [3] On 1 September Germany directly accused Russia of a hybrid attack at Leipzig airport in early August and announced countermeasures. [3] Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul and Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt accused Russia of carrying out the attack at a joint press conference. [3]

What to watch next: German authorities plan further measures against hybrid threats including drones and sabotage while BRICS nations look forward to deepening counter-terrorism cooperation through the CTWG and advancing the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism.