Every heart bleeds in Kashmir today, as the bodies of the slain tourists completed their final journey out of the Valley — a Valley once known for the fragrance of its flowers, its hospitality, and the soulful songs of peace and well-being. That same land now mourns, not just the loss of innocent lives, but a brutal assault on its soul.

The recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam has shaken the conscience of every peace-loving citizen of the nation. What unfolded was not merely an act of terror but a barbaric assault on humanity itself — a crime that has no connection, justification, or sanction in the teachings of Islam. A religion that upholds the sanctity of human life, that commands mercy, and that holds hospitality as a virtue cannot be evoked to legitimize such savagery. No divine cause can be advanced by the spilling of innocent blood, especially that of guests who came seeking the warmth of our culture and the serenity of our land.
This incident also reflects a sinister and desperate shift in the strategy of terror organizations. No longer able to strike military or strategic installations due to strong counterinsurgency responses and increasing isolation, these groups have turned their guns towards soft targets. It is not strength that guides these new tactics, but sheer desperation. This shift — from ideology to indiscriminate brutality — is a loud confession of failure. It mirrors their growing irrelevance in a Kashmir that is moving on and turning its back on violence. This desperation was echoed in the recent rhetoric of the Pakistani Army Chief, who once again referred to Kashmir as Pakistan’s "jugular vein" — a tired, provocative metaphor that betrays Pakistan’s unchanged mindset of bleeding the Valley to maintain its relevance on the global stage.
But the timing of this particular attack offers deeper context. It coincides with the interrogation of Tahawwur Rana, a key accused in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, presently in NIA custody. With his deportation, the global gaze is once again being cast on Pakistan’s deep involvement in nurturing and sheltering terrorists. The ISI’s role in the Mumbai attacks, long buried under layers of denial and deceit, is now dangerously close to being officially exposed in an Indian court. In this backdrop, the Pahalgam attack appears not only as a disruption of peace in the Valley but also as a calculated distraction — a smokescreen to dilute international attention from the truth about the ISI’s blood-soaked past. But this too will fail. The world now sees through such smokescreens. Pakistan’s image as a terror-sponsoring state is etched in global memory, and it will not be washed away by orchestrated violence or diversionary tactics.
While the psychological and emotional scars of this massacre are deep, the economic consequences are equally alarming. In recent years, Kashmir’s tourism sector — a vital artery of the region’s economy — had been witnessing a resurgence. Record-breaking footfalls of domestic and international tourists were breathing new life into local livelihoods: hoteliers, shikara owners, guides, artisans, transporters, and small traders alike. The Valley’s famed hospitality, warmth, and picturesque beauty had begun to replace the headlines of conflict.
The Pahalgam attack threatens to derail this delicate recovery. Travel advisories are being reissued. Cancellations are surging. Fear is returning — not just to those who might visit, but to those whose lives depend on that very influx. Each attack like this strikes not only at the body of the nation but at the economic heart of the Valley. It disrupts livelihoods, breaks trust, and erodes years of painstaking effort to rebuild Kashmir’s image.
Kashmir’s hospitality — once legendary, where a guest was treated as divine — now finds itself under threat from forces that do not represent its people. The attackers may have aimed to disrupt peace, but they have also injured the soul of a place known for its open doors and open hearts. This must not be allowed to become the new normal.
If Pakistan's long game was to destabilize Kashmir through proxy warfare, then it must now confront the fact that it has lost that game. The people of Kashmir have grown wiser, more resilient, and more vocal. In response to the Pahalgam massacre, what emerged was not fear or silence, but overwhelming condemnation from every corner of the Valley. Local traders called for a shutdown to express solidarity with the victims. Religious leaders, civil society members, and ordinary citizens stood up, not just to mourn the dead, but to indirectly tell the terrorists: enough is enough. This is not our war. You are not our warriors. And this is not our way.
Such an outpouring of collective grief and moral clarity is unprecedented. It marks a decisive departure from a past when fear often silenced dissent against the gun. The bandh is not just a gesture — it is a collective referendum against terrorism. The Kashmiri people, through their spontaneous actions, have sent a strong message not just to the militants and their foreign handlers, but also to the Indian nation: we are not the problem; we are the victims, and now we are becoming part of the solution.
Yet this moment of awakening also brings with it a word of caution. While the calm in Kashmir today is promising, it is not absolute. Tourist influx is at a record high. Businesses are thriving. Schools are open. But the illusion of complete normalcy can be dangerous if it blinds us to the lurking threats. The enemy is not absent; it is only recalibrating. It is vital that we remain alert, adaptive, and aware. We must not be swayed by cosmetic calm or misled by short-term quiet. The attack in Pahalgam proves that while the nature of the threat may evolve, its intent remains unchanged.
In this moment of crisis, the courage and compassion shown by ordinary Kashmiris must be acknowledged and applauded. It was local citizens who rushed to help the victims, who provided first aid, arranged for transportation, and extended emotional support before official responders arrived. Their actions speak of a deeper transformation within society — a shift from silent suffering to active empathy. This is the Kashmir that deserves to be seen, heard, and celebrated.
Unfortunately, even as Kashmiris stood tall in the face of terror, certain voices within the national media and self-styled "experts" wasted no time in peddling outdated stereotypes and painting the entire Valley with a brush of suspicion. Their narrative — vague, recycled, and irresponsible — does nothing to support the national interest. Instead, it plays directly into the hands of Pakistan's propaganda machinery. By demonizing the very people who are now resisting terror with courage, these fringe voices weaken India’s moral high ground and damage the very fabric of national unity. It is time to call out and shut down these purveyors of prejudice. Let us not allow them to hijack the narrative. Let us ensure that facts, not fear, drive our discourse.
Pahalgam, whose name means “village of shepherds,” now stands as both a site of mourning and a symbol of moral awakening. The attack that aimed to silence Kashmir has, paradoxically, amplified its voice. A voice that is calling not for revenge, but for justice. Not for more guns, but for lasting peace. Not for more slogans, but for real change.
Let the memory of the slain be honored not with mere tears, but with transformative action. Let this tragedy be not just a moment of grief, but a defining milestone in the journey towards reclaiming Kashmir’s soul. A journey in which the fragrance of its flowers and the warmth of its people once again become the identity of the Valley — not blood on its earth.
Kashmir is speaking, although shocked and stunned, it is speaking with clarity, with compassion, and with conviction. It is now upon all of us to listen — and to act.