A Tragedy, a Response, and the Resilient Spirit of Kashmiris
I Ahmed Wani
The idyllic meadows of Baisaran Valley, lovingly dubbed “Mini Switzerland” in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam, were transformed into a scene of unimaginable horror on April 22, 2025. A meticulously planned terror attack claimed 26 lives in a targeted attack – mostly tourists, including a Nepali national and two locals. The brutal assault reverberated across India and beyond.
Claimed by The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), the attack saw terrorists targeting Hindus, a chilling attempt to fracture India’s secular fabric. Yet, amidst the grief, the response of Kashmiris, coupled with India’s decisive countermeasures, paints a complex picture of resilience, unity, and the urgent need to distinguish between terrorism and the Kashmiri people.
The Pahalgam attack was not merely an assault on innocent lives but a calculated strike against Kashmir’s soul. As Jammu and Kashmir People’s Conference chief Sajad Lone poignantly noted, “Our identity is our hospitality. Yesterday’s terror attack is also an attack on our identity.” The scale of the tragedy—25 Indians and one Nepali killed—drew global condemnation.
US President Donald Trump, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who called it an “abomination,” joined a chorus of voices denouncing the violence. Timed ahead of the Amarnath Yatra and executed in a prime tourist destination, the attack aimed to cripple Kashmir’s tourism-driven economy, instil fear, and destabilize the region.
India’s swift and uncompromising response
India’s response was swift and uncompromising. Following a Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) meeting, the government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, suspended the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, declared Pakistani military advisors persona non grata, reduced Pakistan’s diplomatic presence in New Delhi, and closed the Attari-Wagah border. These measures signal a hardline stance against Pakistan, which India holds accountable for sponsoring the attack. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) took over the probe, identifying three terrorists—Pakistanis Hashim Musa (alias Suleman) and Ali Bhai (alias Talha Bhai), and local Adil Ahmed Thokar—as key perpetrators, with a Rs 20 lakh bounty on each. The operation reflects a broader resolve to choke terrorist networks, both domestically and across the border.
A startling revelation from the NIA linked the Pahalgam attack to a Rs 21,000 crore drug haul in Gujarat, exposing the narco-terror nexus that fuels such violence. Drug trafficking, often orchestrated through cross-border networks, provides the financial backbone for terrorist activities, from arms procurement to recruitment. J&K Police, under Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat, have intensified efforts to dismantle these networks, with DG Prabhat personally overseeing operations. A notable tactic has been the demolition of residential houses belonging to active terrorists in Shopian, Kulgam, and Pulwama districts, a symbolic and strategic move to signal zero tolerance.
However, the destruction of these houses—estimated to be worth up to Rs 100 crore collectively—raises critical questions. The Gujarat drug haul alone dwarfs the value of these properties, suggesting that financial pipelines remain largely intact. While demolitions may deter vulnerable youth from joining terrorist ranks by showcasing tangible consequences, a more effective strategy would prioritize disrupting the financial ecosystem—narco funds, hawala networks, and smuggling routes—while fostering community engagement to prevent radicalization. Rehabilitation programs for youth at risk of radicalization, coupled with economic opportunities, could complement security measures, addressing root causes rather than symptoms.
Stories of extraordinary courage
Amid the tragedy, stories of extraordinary courage emerged. Aidal, a local Kashmiri, attempted to snatch a weapon from a terrorist to protect tourists, sacrificing his life in the process. His heroism embodies the Kashmiri spirit, yet it also underscores a painful reality: Kashmiris are often caught in the crossfire, both physically and in public perception. Across India, some narratives unfairly paint Kashmiris as complicit in terrorism, overlooking heroes like Aidal and the widespread condemnation of the attack by Kashmiri leaders and citizens.
Kashmiris have responded with grief, defiance, and a reaffirmation of their values. Protests in Pahalgam, Srinagar, and even Kathmandu (for the Nepali victim) reflect a collective rejection of terrorism. Mushtaq Pahalgami, President of the Guest House Owner Association, spoke of the tears and numbness across Kashmir, emphasizing the region’s commitment to its guests. PDP MLA Waheed Para called the attack a “massacre of innocents,” while students in Srinagar marched, declaring, “Terrorism doesn’t have a religion, and we, as common Kashmiris, stand for peace.”
CPI(M) leader Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami added a vital perspective, warning that “terrorists tried to communalize the whole social fabric of secular India, and there are some people all around India who will utilize the situation for communal divide. But we, the Kashmiris, are united for secularism.” His words highlight a dual threat: terrorism’s divisive ideology and the risk of internal forces exploiting the tragedy to polarize communities. Kashmiris, Tarigami emphasized, stand firmly with India’s pluralistic ethos, rejecting attempts to fracture it. This unity is evident in the outpouring of support for victims, with locals organizing blood drives and vigils, reinforcing their commitment to peace and hospitality.
Security lapses
The question persists: why couldn’t such decisive actions—destroying terrorist hideouts, targeting narco funds, or suspending treaties—have prevented the Pahalgam attack? Security lapses, acknowledged during an all-party meeting, drew criticism from opposition leaders like Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge.
The attack exposed vulnerabilities in tourist-heavy areas, despite prior incidents like the May 2024 Pahalgam attack that injured two tourists. Intelligence failures and the challenge of securing porous borders allowed terrorists like Adil Thokar, trained in Pakistan, to infiltrate and execute the massacre.
Pre-empting such attacks is fraught with complexity. Over 1,000 Pakistani nationals were recently asked to leave states like Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh, reflecting heightened vigilance post-attack. However, broad measures risk escalating tensions without actionable intelligence. The narco-terror link, now evident, requires sustained international cooperation to dismantle, as drug cartels operate across borders.
The Indus Waters Treaty suspension, a bold diplomatic move, was likely triggered by the attack’s scale and Pakistan’s perceived intransigence, but its timing reflects strategic calculus rather than a preventive tool. Strengthening pre-emptive intelligence, particularly in tourist hubs, and fostering local cooperation could bridge these gaps, ensuring security without alienating communities.
Threat to local tourism industry
The Pahalgam attack has dealt a severe blow to Kashmir’s tourism industry, a lifeline for the region’s economy. Cancellations have surged, threatening livelihoods dependent on visitors. Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat has pledged to mitigate the impact, urging travel operators to waive cancellation fees. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s appeal—“If they leave Kashmir, it may make our enemies win”—is a plea to preserve the region’s economic and cultural identity. The upcoming Amarnath Yatra now faces heightened scrutiny, with security measures under review to reassure pilgrims and tourists.
The attack also tests India’s secular fabric. Reports of terrorists targeting Hindus have fueled communal narratives, with BJP leader Ravinder Raina framing it as a Pakistani plot. While Pakistan’s role is undeniable, conflating terrorism with Kashmiri identity risks deepening mistrust. Former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti noted Kashmir’s history of welcoming all faiths, calling the attack “deeply concerning.”
Tarigami’s warning about communal exploitation resonates here—India must guard against internal divisive forces as much as external threats. The Indian Army’s morale-boosting marches in Poonch and the FBI’s offer of support underscore a unified fight against terrorism, not against Kashmiris.
Multifaceted response required
The Pahalgam attack demands a multifaceted response. First, security in tourist areas must be enhanced without militarizing Kashmir’s allure. Advanced surveillance, community policing, and real-time intelligence can prevent repeats. Second, the narco-terror nexus requires global cooperation to choke financial networks, prioritizing this over symbolic demolitions. Third, India must amplify Kashmiri voices like Aidal’s and Tarigami’s, showcasing their solidarity to counter divisive narratives. Investing in education, employment, and deradicalization programs can further insulate youth from extremist ideologies.
Kashmiris are not the enemy; terrorism is. As a Srinagar student protester declared, “We stand for peace and will always stand for peace.” India’s fight must target terrorism’s ideology and sponsors, not the Kashmiri people who mourn alongside the nation. The Indus Waters Treaty suspension and diplomatic measures are necessary, but they must be paired with efforts to strengthen Kashmir’s economy and social fabric. Tourists are guests, not targets, and Kashmiris are partners in India’s pluralistic vision.
The bloodstained meadows of Pahalgam are a wound on India’s heart, but they also reveal the resilience of a people who refuse to let terrorism define them. Let us honour the fallen—tourists, locals, and heroes like Aidal—by building a Kashmir where peace, not fear, welcomes all.
————–
