United Against Terror: Honoring Kanishka Bombing Victims on 40th Anniversary

Hardeep Singh Puri, India's Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, commemorated the 40th anniversary of the Air India Kanishka bombing. He urged global unity against terrorism and called for enhanced collaboration with Canada, emphasizing the need for proactive measures to combat extremism and prevent such tragedies from reoccurring.

Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep Singh Puri, marked the 40th anniversary of the Air India Kanishka bombing with a solemn call for global unity against terrorism. Speaking in Ahakista, Cork, Ireland, he highlighted the need for collective efforts to prevent future tragedies.

Puri recalled the 1985 disaster when Air India Flight 182 was destroyed by a bomb, killing all 329 passengers, including over 80 children. The attack, orchestrated by Canada-based terrorists, underscored the ongoing threat of extremism, which remains a pressing issue worldwide. He noted that terrorism-related deaths have risen by 22 percent in recent years.

Addressing Canada, Puri emphasized the importance of collaboration through intelligence sharing, counter-radicalization, and disrupting terror financing. He praised the compassion of the people of Ahakista and the Irish government during the tragedy's aftermath, which strengthened ties between India and Ireland. The ceremony, attended by international dignitaries and families of victims, served as a stark reminder of the enduring fight against terrorism.

(With inputs from agencies.)