The recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Anantnag district of South Kashmir, which targeted a tourist in the Baisaran valley killing 26 innocent civilians mostly tourists and that too after knowing their religious identity has sent not only the shockwaves across the region and the nation but has proved the cowardness of the terrorists. The incident, orchestrated by Pakistan-backed terror outfits operating in the valley was not just an assault on innocent lives but an attempt to rekindle the dying embers of terrorism in a region that has been steadily progressing on the path of peace and prosperity and with a motive to gulf between the Hindus and Muslims in the country.
But this time, the narrative did not go the way the perpetrators had hoped. The people of Kashmir, especially the youth, rose with a resolute voice, condemning the attack, standing in solidarity with the victims and sending an unmistakable message to Pakistan: Kashmir has changed and terror has no place in our hearts anymore. And people from the mainland did not harm the local Muslims at the moment when the grief was afresh and wound was aching that is most appreciating. Though there were some disturbing incidents of beating the harassing the Kashmiri’s in other states but what the intensity may have been calculated or expecting from the attack was not of that much.
For decades, Pakistan has tried to exploit religious and political fault lines in Kashmir to further its nefarious designs. From sponsoring cross-border terrorism to pushing radical narratives through separatist elements, every tactic has aimed to disrupt peace and portray Kashmir as an "unresolved dispute." The Pahalgam attack seemed like another attempt to revive the ghost of the past - the dark era of the 1990s and early 2000s when Pakistan-backed terrorists operated with impunity, spreading fear among locals and targeting symbols of India's democratic and spiritual strength. However, unlike those times this attack was met with widespread condemnation from Kashmiri civil society, religious scholars, political parties, youth organizations, traders' bodies and common citizens.
Within hours of the attack, hundreds of Kashmiris took to the streets of Anantnag, Srinagar, Baramulla and even remote areas like Kupwara and Kulgam, holding candlelight vigils and peace marches. The message was loud and clear: “We stand with the tourists. We reject terrorism.” Social media platforms were flooded with hashtags like #NotInMyName, #KashmirRejectsTerror, #PeaceInPahalgam, many of them started by Kashmiri youth influencers, journalists and civil society members. Videos surfaced of locals helping stranded tourists, offering them water, food and reassurance. Even those who traditionally maintained a "neutral" stance came forward this time. Imams at most of the mosques condemned the attack during Friday sermons, calling it “un-Islamic” and against the ethos of Kashmiriyat. The religious tone set a powerful precedent, isolating the radicals who often misuse religion to justify violence.
Perhaps the most notable shift was visible among the youth. For a generation often portrayed as radicalized or directionless, their response was mature, empathetic and nation-oriented. Student bodies from Kashmir University, Islamic University of Science & Technology and other colleges issued strong statements and organized solidarity events. Many young Kashmiris volunteered to serve at hospitals where victims were being treated and offered to donate blood. Local youth clubs in South Kashmir launched campaigns titled "Terrorism is not our identity" and "Pakistan, Stop Meddling in Kashmir". In the Shopian area, once known for its vulnerability to radical propaganda, local youth protest against the attack and carry out procession having placards with slogans like “We want jobs, not jihad” and “Kashmir for peace, not proxy war.” A young boy from Tral was quoted saying to a national media outlet, “We are sick and tired of these attacks. We are not cannon fodder for Pakistan. Kashmir is rising and this attack will not derail our progress.”
In what can be described as a grassroots-level revolt against Pakistan's influence, Kashmir’s civil society groups - including educators, doctors, journalists, writers and entrepreneurs - came together in an unprecedented way. Several press clubs issued joint statements condemning the attack and the ideology behind it. Debates on local Television channels and podcasts were heavily critical of Pakistan's role with many pointing out how the country is itself grappling with internal collapse and yet continues to sponsor terrorism in Kashmir. In a powerful article, a well-known Kashmiri columnist wrote: “Pakistan should fix its own house before trying to burn ours.”
The timing of the attack was not random. It came at a time when Kashmir’s tourism sector was experiencing a historic boom. With record-breaking footfall at the Amarnath Yatra, and local spots like Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Sonmarg and Kokernag bustling with tourists, Pakistan’s move appeared calculated - to scare away visitors and tarnish Kashmir’s peaceful image. But traders and tourism players did not take this lightly. In a joint press conference in Srinagar, representatives of Kashmir Hotel & Restaurant Association, Houseboat Owners Union and Taxi Drivers Welfare Committee condemned the attack and vowed not to let such incidents affect tourism. “We will safeguard every guest like our family. Kashmir is safe and we won’t allow anyone to create fear.” said, a houseboat owner in Dal Lake. To further reinforce the message, many hotels offered free stays to affected tourists and shopkeepers in Pahalgam reopened their shops the very next day to show that normalcy prevails. The local population’s support to the security forces in identifying suspects and aiding investigations also symbolized a significant shift in ground realities. According to intelligence sources, leads were generated through civilian inputs, especially from remote villages where once silence and fear ruled. This is a major blow to Pakistan’s long-standing tactic of using local support as a shield for terrorist activities.
When Kashmiris poured onto the streets with candles in hand, condemning the heinous Pahalgam terror attack and standing shoulder to shoulder with the victims, they expected the national media to reflect their grief, solidarity and outright rejection of terrorism. Instead, what they received was another round of blanket vilification, sensationalism and misrepresentation. Rather than acknowledging the widespread condemnation of the attack by locals - including youth groups, civil society members, religious leaders and traders - large sections of the national media chose to focus on fringe voices, spinning a narrative that equated every Kashmiri with sympathy for terrorists. This sweeping generalization did not just ignore the reality on the ground, it insulted the collective conscience of an entire people who have, over the last few years, consistently chosen peace over violence. Yes, it would be naïve to suggest that such a large-scale attack could have taken place without some form of local logistical support. As in every society, there are black sheep - individuals or groups who, either due to indoctrination, coercion or greed, support disruptive agendas. But painting the entire population with the same brush, as if every Kashmiri is complicit is not just unethical - it is dangerous.
Instead of highlighting the positive shift - how common people defied fear, opened their doors to tourists, helped victims and publicly denounced Pakistan’s role - many media outlets stuck to outdated tropes of Kashmir being a terror hotbed. They ignored the images of students volunteering in hospitals the young men and women organizing peace rallies and the families offering food and shelter to stranded pilgrims. They failed to showcase the human side of Kashmir - the one that doesn't fit the hyper-nationalistic Television Rating Point model. This biased portrayal risks undoing years of hard-earned trust between Kashmiris and the rest of India. It feeds a false dichotomy - that one cannot be Kashmiri and patriotic at the same time. It alienates the youth who are striving to break stereotypes and plays right into the hands of those who want to keep the valley in perpetual unrest. The media had a chance to show the world a New Kashmir - resilient, empathetic and committed to peace. But many chose to look away, perhaps because a peaceful, united Kashmir doesn’t make for exciting prime-time drama. It’s time for a reality check. The media must rise above its biases, acknowledge the complexity of Kashmir and amplify the voices of peace rather than perpetuate narratives of mistrust. The people of Kashmir are changing. It’s time the media changed its lens too.
More than political statements, it was the emotional and moral stand of the people that delivered the most powerful message to Pakistan. For decades, Pakistan attempted to position itself as a “well-wisher” of Kashmiris. But post-Pahalgam, that hollow narrative stands exposed. From former militants now running sports academies to women leading peace marches, from parents warning their children against online radical content to villages collectively denying refuge to outsiders, the resistance against terror is now organic and irreversible. Even mainstream political parties, often accused of soft-pedaling on separatist issues, took a firm stance. Parties like the Apni Party, People's Conference and even the National Conference issued strongly worded statements not just against the attack but also against Pakistan’s continued meddling in Jammu and Kashmir affairs. The Bhartiya Janta Party, which has been working to expand its base in the Valley post-Article 370 abrogation, found support from unexpected corners as people hailed the Centre’s commitment to boosting tourism, providing security and integrating Kashmir with the national mainstream.
The attack on pilgrims in Pahalgam was meant to instill fear and revive chaos. But it ended up doing the opposite - galvanizing Kashmiris like never before. What Pakistan failed to realize is that the Kashmir of 2025 is not the Kashmir of 1995. The current generation has dreams - of entrepreneurship, education, global exposure and a stable future. They are not interested in the old narrative of hate and violence. This is a generation that celebrates Independence Day with pride, sings the national anthem in schools, organizes cricket leagues with players from all religions and tweets in support of the Indian Army when required. Pakistan has lost the plot. Its proxies in the Valley have lost their base. And Kashmiris have finally reclaimed their voice - a voice for peace, progress and patriotism. The Pahalgam attack, tragic as it was, has only strengthened the resolve of Kashmiris to never go back to the dark days. The people have spoken, not just in slogans, but in action - a befitting response indeed to the enemies of peace.