At least 26 local tourists were killed and dozens more injured in a deadly attack in Pahalgam, a popular tourist destination in Kashmir, during the peak of the holiday season. The region, renowned for its breathtaking beauty, has unfortunately remained a site of violence for over three decades due to ongoing conflict. Pahalgam, meaning “Valley of Shepherds” in Kashmiri, is situated approximately 50 kilometers (31 miles) from Srinagar and attracts thousands of visitors each year. Among the victims were a diverse group of individuals, including an Indian Navy officer from Haryana on his honeymoon, a retired banker from Andhra Pradesh, a realtor from Karnataka, an accountant from Odisha, a cement dealer from Uttar Pradesh, and a Gulf-returnee from Kerala. Additionally, a foreign national from Nepal was also among those killed in the attack.
A Provocative Statement Amidst Tensions: General Asim Munir’s Remarks
The incident occurred shortly after Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, General Asim Munir, delivered a controversial speech in which he reaffirmed the ideological basis of the two-nation theory, asserting that religion was a central factor in the partition of India in 1947. He notably remarked, “Those who claimed that they buried the two-nation theory in the Bay of Bengal, where are they now? The Kashmir issue is an unfinished agenda of the partition of India and Pakistan.”
This statement reignited tensions and has been viewed by many as a provocative commentary on the ongoing dispute over Kashmir, a region that continues to bear the scars of its partitioned history.
India’s Reaction: Grief, Anger, and Calls for Accountability
“This is an act of war. That’s how we are seeing it. It has come just days after that speech by Pakistan’s army chief,” Tara Kartha, director at the Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS), a New Delhi-based think tank, said. Kartha, who was formerly an official at India’s National Security Council Secretariat, was referring to last week’s address by Pakistani Chief of Army Staff Asim Munir, where he reiterated his support for the two-nation theory that led to India’s partition in 1947, and affirmed the “difference from Hindus.”
While that statement is unlikely to calm passions in India, where the government will face pressure to act tough against Pakistan, some experts cautioned against an impulsive reaction. India’s relative stability compared with its “highly volatile neighbor” should inform its response, said Saba Naqvi, a veteran political commentator based in New Delhi.
“As for India, most people here think the BJP regime will simply drop bombs there and everything will be avenged,” she said, referring to Modi’s Hindu-majoritarian Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). “But it is not as simple as that.”
Modi, who was earlier supposed to meet Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for a state dinner in Jeddah, cut short his trip and rushed back to India.
“I strongly condemn the terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. I pray that the injured recover at the earliest. All possible assistance is being provided to those affected,” PM Modi said in a tweet. “Those behind this heinous act will be brought to justice … they will not be spared!”
Home Minister Amit Shah also rushed to Srinagar and met top security officials in the region. Rahul Gandhi, the top opposition leader from the Indian National Congress, slammed the government, urging it to move beyond the “hollow claims” of normalcy in Kashmir since the revocation of the special status in 2019.
Pakistan Responds: Rejecting Blame and Calling for Accountability
Following the tragic attack in Pahalgam, Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif dismissed allegations of Pakistani involvement, stating that the situation in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) is the result of indigenous resistance against India’s oppressive policies and its pursuit of a Hindutva-driven agenda. He urged New Delhi not to shift blame without evidence.
Additionally, Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a formal statement expressing deep concern over the loss of innocent lives, extending condolences to the families of the victims, and wishing a swift recovery for the injured. The statement reiterated Pakistan’s consistent position that peace in the region cannot be achieved without addressing the root causes of the conflict—particularly the denial of the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination as enshrined in UN resolutions.
The Impact on Kashmir’s Tourism Industry and Public Sentiment
The deadly attack has sent shockwaves through the tourism industry in Kashmir, a region that heavily relies on seasonal visitors for economic sustenance. With the incident occurring at the height of the holiday season, fear and uncertainty have gripped both local stakeholders and potential travelers. Tour operators have reported cancellations, and authorities have stepped up security across key tourist destinations. Meanwhile, public sentiment across India is marked by grief and anger, as the nation mourns the loss of innocent lives. The tragedy has reignited debates around the security of civilians in conflict-prone areas and further strained the already fragile peace in the region.