A Kingston-based Hindu association has released a statement following the killing of around two dozen people, including tourists, in an open fire shooting in Pahalgam in Kashmir last week.

A statement given by Sarvoday Hindu Association, Kingston said: "Members and friends of the Sarvoday Hindu Association, Kingston have been deeply affected by the heartbreaking news from Pahalgam, Kashmir.

"Our community is grieving the loss of so many innocent lives taken sway, simply because of believing in their faith.

"Such acts of terrorism are not merely attacks on individuals—they are cowardly attempts to shatter the peace of entire communities, to prey on the innocent, and to divide humanity. Let us be clear: we will not allow the darkness of hatred to extinguish the light of unity.

"In times like these, there may be a temptation to direct blame toward other communities.

"But we must remember—this is exactly what the perpetrators want. They seek to fracture the bonds that unite us here in Kingston. We must not let them succeed. Justice must be served, and the culprits must be held accountable.

"At the Sarvoday Hindu Association, we remain guided by the timeless Upanishadic mantra: Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam—"The world is one family." Now more than ever, we must live by that truth.

"Let us stand together—as a community, as a nation, and as a global family—and show these agents of terror that we will not, and cannot, be broken."

It continued: "We extend our full faith and support to the authorities and administration in India( who have taken a sankalp—a solemn commitment—to find those responsible and to prevent such atrocities from occurring again.

"Our heartfelt prayers go to the families who have lost loved ones. May the Almighty grant them strength and peace. And may the innocent souls lost in this heinous act find eternal rest in the embrace of the Divine.

"In the coming days, the Sarvoday Hindu Association will remember all those Souls who were taken from us and also pray for their loved ones who will now carry those painful memories forever for the rest of their lives.

"Over the next week we will hold prayers at our community hall inside the Tolworth recreational Centre, and we call upon all communities to join us in this spirit of solidarity.

"For over fifty years, we have enjoyed & maintained very strong relationships with all faith communities in Kingston and this for great community cohesion. We have worked with members of the Interfaith Forum, Kingston Council, and the Kingston Racial Equality Council, in times of crisis, and we will continue.

"As Gujarati Hindus living in the UK, we have cherished and shared both the British and Indian values of 'free speech,' 'religious freedom' and 'tolerance'. We are committed to defending those values—for our children and for generations to come.

"Let us stand united. Let us pray as one. Let us rise above fear and division and show the world that our spirit will not be broken."

The attack took place in Baisaran, a mountain-top meadow three miles (5km) from Pahalgam.

According to the BBC, "A tourist from Gujarat, who was part of a group that was fired upon, said that chaos broke out after the sudden attack, and everybody started running, crying and shouting."

The BBC writes: "Video footage shared by Indian media outlets appears to show Indian troops running towards the scene of the attack, while in other footage victims can be heard saying that the gunmen had singled out non-Muslims.

"Footage on social media, which has not been verified by the BBC, appears to show bodies lying on a meadow with people crying and pleading for help.

"Police said multiple tourists had been taken to hospital with gunshot wounds."

Kingston and Surbiton Green Party member, Dr Debojyoti Das, also commented on the event, saying: "The Kingston Green Party unequivocally condemns the horrific terrorist attack that took place on 22 April 2025 in Pahalgam, Kashmir, which resulted in the tragic loss of at least 28 innocent lives.

"This appalling act, which deliberately targeted civilians - many of them tourists -  is a grave violation of human dignity and an assault on peace.

"We stand in full solidarity with the victims, their families, and all of those affected by this atrocity. Acts of such violence have no justification, and we call for collective, unwavering resistance against all forms of terrorism and hate."