Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Apr 24: Veteran public prosecutor Ujjwal?Nikam, famed for securing convictions in the 26/11 Mumbai attack trials, denounced the Pahalgam terror massacre as a calculated bid to stoke communal hatred. Drawing chilling parallels to the 2008 strikes on the Taj Hotel, Nikam recalled how militants there also screened victims by faith before executing them.

“This inhuman brutality—asking innocents their religion and then killing them—is a tactic straight out of 26/11,” he told IANS. “Back then, a guest lied about his faith to survive, but was nearly beaten to death once discovered. Only our NSG commandos saved him.”

Nikam warned that such sectarian violence aims to ignite riots, yet he expressed confidence in India’s resilience. “When Mumbai united in 2008, we defeated their divisive agenda. Today, the entire nation stands together again. Terrorists will never fracture us.”

Praising the government’s swift action—Prime Minister Modi’s abrupt return from Saudi Arabia, the Cabinet Committee on Security convening, and Home Minister Amit?Shah’s efforts to repatriate survivors—Nikam said, “This is just the start of India’s response.” He also noted broad international backing, citing U.S. President Donald Trump’s pledge of support.

Reaffirming Modi’s vow to pursue attackers “to the ends of the Earth,” Nikam cautioned that, while military or covert plans remain classified, “India will strike back decisively. We are not a soft state, and we will not tolerate the murder of our citizens.” He added that the Pahalgam assault by Pakistan backed outfits like Lashkar e Taiba “is a desperate attempt to derail Kashmir’s progress after Article?370’s abrogation—but they will fail.”