Tellapur residents hold candlelight rally in memory of Pahalgam terror attack victims
Hyderabad: The Tellapur Neighbourhood Association (TeNA) organized a candlelight peace rally on Tuesday night, April 23, 2025, to honor the 26 civilians killed in the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir.
More than 500 residents from various parts of Tellapur gathered at Aliens Circle at 8:00 p.m., holding candles and banners. The event began with a five-minute silence in memory of the victims. Participants raised slogans such as “Bharat Mata Ki Jai,” condemning terrorism and calling for peace.
TeNA, in a statement, expressed grief over the incident, “We are all deeply saddened by yesterday’s terror attack in Jammu & Kashmir, which claimed the lives of 26 innocent civilians. In this moment of national grief, TeNA stands in solidarity with the bereaved families.” The association thanked residents for joining and reaffirmed its commitment to communal harmony and national unity.
The April 22 attack in Pahalgam has drawn widespread condemnation. Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy called it a cowardly act and urged the central government to respond firmly. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu expressed sorrow over the deaths of Telugu citizens and pledged continued support for national counter-terrorism efforts.
Among the victims was J. Chandramouli, a retired bank employee from Pandurangapuram, Visakhapatnam. He was shot while visiting Baisaran, a meadow near Pahalgam. Witnesses said he attempted to flee but was chased and killed. Another victim, Somisetty Madhusudhan Rao, a software engineer from Kavali in Nellore district, was visiting with his wife and two children, who survived.
Manish Ranjan, an excise officer posted in Hyderabad and originally from Bihar, was also among those killed. He was shot in front of his family. Ranjan had been serving in the IB’s Hyderabad office for the past two years. Hyderabad resident Jaya Mishra sustained minor injuries in the attack.
The Telangana government has set up a helpline at Telangana Bhavan in New Delhi. Senior officials are in contact with Jammu and Kashmir authorities and central agencies. Citizens seeking assistance can contact Vandhana at 9871999044 or Hyder Ali Naqvi at 9971387500. No Telangana residents have been reported missing or deceased, officials confirmed.
Public figures have shared condolences. Actor Vijay Deverakonda, recalling his time filming in Pahalgam, posted on social media, “What happened yesterday is heartbreaking and infuriating. Shooting tourists is cowardly and shameful. We stand with the victims and their families. We stand with Kashmir.”
Actors Chiranjeevi Konidela, Allu Arjun, and NTR also expressed sympathy and called for peace and justice.
Over 500 Tellapur residents participated in a candlelight rally to honor the victims of the #PahalgamTerrorAttack. Organized by TeNA, the event included a 5-minute silence and a collective message against terrorism. The community united to remember the victims and advocate for… pic.twitter.com/bMH4kERa7d
— Hyderabad Mail (@Hyderabad_Mail) April 24, 2025
