Petition seeks martyr status for 26 killed in Pahalgam attack

A petition has been filed before the Punjab and Haryana High Court seeking posthumous recognition as “martyrs/shaheed” for 26 persons killed in the Pahalgam terrorist attack on April 22.

Filed in public interest by Ayush Ahuja, an advocate of the High Court, the plea seeks a direction to the Union of India and the Prime Minister’s Office to officially confer the title “martyr/shaheed” as a lifetime tribute. Ahuja has also prayed for the erection of statues bearing the victims’ names inscribed in golden letters.

The petitioner further sought a declaration to rename the attack site as “Memorable Martyrs/Shaheed Hindu Valley Tourist Place” to honour the memory of the slain tourists and embed their sacrifice in national consciousness.

Referring to the incident, Ahuja submitted that the tourists were enjoying the natural beauty of Kashmir when unknown terrorists brutally gunned them down after identifying them based on religion. This recognition would not only comfort the bereaved families, but also serve as a collective tribute by the nation as their memory continued to live on in the hearts of 140 crore Indians, Ahuja stated.

He contended that the legal question for the court’s determination was: “Whether the official status of 'martyr/shaheed' can be conferred upon innocent civilian victims of terrorism in recognition of their sacrifice for the nation.”