Srinagar, April 22: The political parties cutting across party lines on Wednesday paid tributes to the 26 people killed by terrorists in Pahalgam last year.

"The tragic incident not only saddened our hearts, but brought tears to our eyes. It brought grief to every Kashmiri," ruling National Conference (NC) state spokesperson Imran Nabi Dar said on the first anniversary of the attack.
He, however, said Kashmiris stood united and condemned the attack.
"A united message came from the people that the entire Kashmir was in grief. People came out everywhere, candlelight marches happened, and this gruesome attack was unanimously condemned by everyone," Imran said.
The NC spokesperson expressed hope that such an attack should not happen again and that security agencies augment their defences across the valley, especially at the tourist spots.
J&K Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) president Tariiq Hameed Karra, while paying tribute to the victims, said the remembrance of the attack is accompanied by a "continuing sense of anguish".
"The promise of democracy appears diminished when institutions lack meaningful authority, and when citizens continue to live under the shadow of recurring security concerns. There is a growing perception that governance is becoming reactive rather than anticipatory," he said.
"At such a juncture, statesmanship demands reflection, course correction, and above all, a willingness to listen, understand, and act in the larger national interest," he added.
Congress Legislature Party leader Ghulam Ahmed Mir said terrorism will not be able to break their spirit and reaffirmed "commitment to end violence and build a future where every life in J&K is safe and valued."
Meanwhile, J&K BJP took out a rally in Anantnag district to commemorate the day as a "black day".
"Today marks one year of the horrific carnage. We pay our tribute to the martyrs and stand with their families. Modi showed Pakistan that if it does anything, we will strike inside their homes," BJP leader and former MLC Sofi Yusuf told reporters.
In Jammu, BJP leaders and activists gathered at Maharaja Hari Singh Park and offered solemn tributes. Senior BJP leaders, led by party president and MP Sat Sharma, paid homage amid sloganeering in favour of the martyrs and the nation.
Speaking on the occasion, Sharma said that the entire nation was remembering those who laid down their lives. He asserted that India has conveyed to the world that while it does not strike first, it knows how to defend itself when required.
People's Conference chief and MLA Handwara Sajad Lone said the scars of the Pahalgam attack will remain.
"The scars will always remain. How innocent blood was spilt. Let us hope and strive for a peaceful J&K. Let us hope the scourge of terror is eradicated from our lands for all times to come. My humble homage to those who were martyred," he said.
Apni Party chief Altaf Bukhari posted on X, "Even today, the pain and sense of loss are felt strongly. On this day, as we mark its anniversary, I bow my head in deep respect and offer my heartfelt tribute to every soul we lost."
Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) workers held a protest in Jammu city under the leadership of its J&K unit president Munish Sinha and raised slogans condemning Pakistan.
The Dogra Front Shiv Sena organised a yagya to pay homage to the victims. Its president, Ashok Gupta, said prayers were offered for the departed souls and to express solidarity with their families.
Furthermore, the Traders Federation Warehouse organised a function in Jammu to pay floral tributes to the victims.
Several other organisations, including VHP, Bajrang Dal and local social groups, besides some educational institutions, also held tribute programmes in Jammu to honour the victims of the Pahalgam attack.