The Vice President of Sierra Leone, Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh met with an Indian All-Party Parliamentary Delegation led by Dr. Shrikant Eknath Shinde, Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha), who visited Sierra Leone from May 28 to 30, 2025. The Vice President strongly condemned the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed the lives of 26 civilians, and extended heartfelt condolences to the victims’ families. He reaffirmed Sierra Leone’s solidarity with India in its fight against terrorism.
The Pahalgam attack, which occurred on April 22, 2025, involved five armed terrorists targeting tourists in Baisaran Valley, a popular destination in Indian-administered Kashmir. The assailants, affiliated with The Resistance Front—a group linked to the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba—reportedly singled out victims based on their religious identity before opening fire, resulting in the deaths of 26 individuals and injuries to over 20 others.
During their visit, the Indian delegation held extensive meetings with key Sierra Leonean officials, including the Speaker of Parliament, Members of Parliament and the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Deputy Minister of Defence, the National Security Coordinator, the Acting Foreign Minister, and the Vice President. The discussions centered on India’s zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism and the importance of global unity in combating this threat.
In a show of solidarity, the Parliament of Sierra Leone condemned the Pahalgam attack and observed a moment of silence to honor the victims. Deputy Defence Minister Col. (Retd.) Muana Brima Massaquoi emphasized the urgent need for African nations to unite against terrorism, warning that inaction could allow the threat to spread to the continent.
The Indian delegation also engaged with foreign diplomats in Sierra Leone to galvanize international action against terrorism and counter the tactics of those who perpetrate, support, and sponsor cross-border terror activities against India.
The delegation also interacted with local media and the Indian diaspora, reaffirming the enduring friendship between India and Sierra Leone. During a live interview with AYV News TV Channel, delegation member Dr. Sasmit Patra underscored the need for Pakistan to abandon state-sponsored terrorism, a message that resonated with local audiences.