A year after the massacre in Pahalgam, families of 26 victims on Wednesday observed the death anniversary of their loved ones, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserted that India will never bow to any form of terror and the heinous designs of terrorists will never succeed.The Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba had carried out an attack at the Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam on this day last year, killing 26 persons, mostly tourists from across India.Although Pahalgam has begun picking up pieces a year after the attack, Baisaran remains closed.  A memorial has come up in Pahalgam where tourists pause to pay their respects before continuing their sightseeing.The terror attack, the deadliest in recent years, triggered a four-day military conflict with Pakistan after the Indian armed forces retaliated on May 7 by targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan-controlled territories in Operation Sindoor.On Wednesday, 26 families from across the country mourned their irreparable loss.”That day, I lost everything in my life. Even today, I cannot forget that incident. Whenever I close my eyes, the incident comes back to me,” said Priyadarshini Satpathy from Odisha’s Balasore district. Her husband Prashant Kumar Satpathy was among those killed.”I am managing to somehow survive, because after he left, everything is gone — the happiness of my home and all happiness in my life,” she said, adding that the government provided Rs 20 lakh as financial assistance, but other promises, including a government job, were yet to be fulfilled.In Kochi, Arathi R Menon, whose father N Ramachandran, was killed, addressed a memorial meeting to say that she was proud of India’s strong response to terrorism. “While standing here after one year, I feel that Bharat has given a stronger reply. The world is also aware of it,” she said.In Karnal, Rajesh Narwal, the father of 26-year-old naval officer Vinay Narwal whose bullet-riddled body became the abiding image of the tragedy, said the family was still grappling with the tragedy.In a post on X on Wednesday, the PM said, “Remembering the innocent lives lost in the gruesome Pahalgam terror attack on this day last year. They will never be forgotten… As a nation, we stand united in grief and resolve. India will never bow to any form of terror. The heinous designs of terrorists will never succeed.”The PM said his thoughts were also with the bereaved families as they cope with this loss.”Such acts of terror cannot deter our unwavering commitment to peace and unity,” said President Droupadi Murmu.Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi said, ”India will neither ever forget the sacrifice of the victims and the anguish of their families nor will it ever forgive the perpetrators of this cowardly act.”  (With PTI inputs)