The terrorist attack in Pahalgam in which 26 innocent people were killed has been a shock to a common Kashmiri. As a Kashmiri myself, I had always believed the conflict was limited to confrontations between security forces and militants.

Having spent the last 12 years in Delhi, I’ve always encouraged friends and acquaintances to visit Kashmir, assuring them that tourists were never targeted and that the valley was safe. This is how most Kashmiris living outside the state encouraged people to visit Kashmir. But the Pahalgam attack has shattered that confidence. It has proven us wrong.

The rage and frustration among ordinary Kashmiris today stems not only from the economic impact on tourism but, more importantly, from the senseless killing of innocent lives. Every region and community is known for its core values, and Kashmir has always prided itself on its hospitality. This attack is an attack on the very spirit of Kashmir. When visitors arrive in the valley, they are often embraced like family by locals eager to share its beauty and warmth with the tourists. The attack struck at the heart of this deeply rooted cultural value. It was a desecration of what Kashmiris hold sacred: the safety and hospitality extended to guests.     

Condemnation is unanimous                     

In the past, terrorist incidents often generated mixed reactions. But this time, the condemnation is unanimous and intense. I cannot recall another instance where all of Kashmir shut down in protest against terrorists who were not only Muslims but also backed by Pakistan, a country that once enjoyed sympathy among a significant section of the population. The difference today lies in clarity. There is no confusion, no justification, no passive acceptance. This shift suggests a profound change in public consciousness. Kashmiris are no longer willing to rationalise or tolerate violence in any form, no matter the actor or the motive.

This time, Social media platforms also became a powerful outlet for Kashmiris to express collective grief and anger in the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack. Unlike in earlier times, when reactions were limited to vague statements or silence, this time ordinary citizens, artists, students, and others took to Instagram, X and Facebook to condemn the killings unequivocally. Hashtags calling for peace and justice trended locally, and video messages circulated condemning both the violence and those backing it. This organic wave of public sentiment, without any state orchestration, marked a unique moment of solidarity and civic awakening.

Historically, Kashmir has endured countless tragedies. From the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits to the Pulwama attack, from the Chattisinghpora massacre to the Uri attack,the valley and its people have witnessed many grave incidents. The response of the common folks, though, have typically been muted and divided. But today, the response is neither. For the first time, Kashmiris stand united - mourning, condemning and holding Pakistan solely responsible, while demanding justice for the lives lost.

Watershed moment in Kashmir

Kashmiri politicians, too, have historically remained cautious in their statements, wary of losing voter support among populations where militants had some level of sympathy. Their responses were often limited to lukewarm condemnations. This time, however, things are different. Political leaders have not only spoken out unequivocally but also led protest marches through Lal Chowk, reflecting the anger and grief of ordinary Kashmiris.

Perhaps most significant is the response from the clergy. Religious leaders who had been long silent on Pakistan-backed terrorism strongly denounced the attack at the sermons after the Friday prayers. Notably, Owais Raza Qadri, a prominent religious figure with a large following among the youth, condemned the Pahalgam attack and publicly rejected the notion of the Kashmir conflict being an Islamic jihad. His bold stance, taken despite the real threats it could invite, marks a watershed moment in the decades-old conflict.

This tragedy, as heartbreaking as it is, presents a critical turning point in the national interest. It could significantly weaken local recruitment into terrorist groups and strengthen counter-terrorism efforts. The government must seize this rare moment of unity to lay the groundwork for lasting peace in the valley.

Don't play into terrorist hands

However, it is deeply concerning that even as Kashmir mourns with the rest of the nation, there are reports of threats and attacks against Kashmiri students in other parts of the country. This plays directly into the hands of the very terrorists who seek to alienate Kashmiris from the rest of India.

In the last few years, Kashmir has witnessed a sharp rise in the number of tourists, which is indeed an indicator of peace and normalcy. The attack was very much part of a plan to disturb the peace and normalcy in the valley. Post-Pahalgam, there is a narrative suggesting that Kashmir is not a safe place to visit, which was also the motive of the terrorists—to make it look like a conflict-ridden place. It is the collective responsibility of both the government and society to ensure that tourism does not get affected by this attack, which would be a befitting reply to those who want to deter the development of Kashmir.

The most meaningful tribute to the 26 lives lost in Pahalgam would be to bridge the gaps between communities: Kashmiri and non-Kashmiri, Muslim and Hindu, local and outsider. Otherwise, we risk serving the very purpose of the terrorists who orchestrated this horrific act.

(The writer is a PhD scholar at MMAJ Academy of International Studies, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi. Views are personal. He can be contacted at umerpeer12@gmail.com )