In the wake of the deadly terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam, Kashmiris across political, social and religious lines have come out in strong condemnation, voicing their collective grief and outrage. A united front has emerged in the Valley as political parties, civil society and local residents extend support to a Kashmir Bandh (shutdown) on Wednesday, calling it a moral and social duty to stand with the victims and their families.
From Baramulla to Srinagar and Kupwara to Poonch, candlelight vigils and marches have lit up the streets, reflecting the region’s pain and solidarity. Residents of Khod village in the Akhoor area also took to the streets with candles, mourning the loss of innocent lives and rejecting the violence that shook their land once again.
Major political parties like the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have amplified the people’s voice. “We appeal to the people of J&K to ensure the hartal is a complete success,” said JKNC in a post on X, urging citizens to join in a peaceful rejection of violence. PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti echoed this sentiment, stating the attack was not just on tourists but “an attack on all of us.”
Youth and religious groups stand united
The Jammu-Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) added its voice, calling the attack an “assault on the very soul of Jammu & Kashmir,” and expressing full support for the shutdown. The All Parties Hurriyat Conference, through Chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, urged a peaceful protest and reminded people that such acts go against the core values of Islam. “Such gruesomeness is abhorred in Islam,” he said, calling on Kashmiris to reflect their anguish through unity and peace.
A grassroots call for peace over politics
Locals say this spontaneous coming together across districts—candlelight vigils, marches, social media appeals—signals not just grief, but a powerful rebuke of terror. “It’s not about politics. It’s about humanity. We are all hurting,” said a young participant at the Srinagar march.
Meanwhile, Democratic Progressive Azad Party leader Abdul Majid Wani urged the central and state governments to act swiftly and compassionately. “One who kills anyone does not belong to any religion,” he said, pressing for justice and assistance to the bereaved.
The attack, which claimed the lives of five tourists from Maharashtra, has drawn condemnation from across India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah assured that justice will be delivered and such violence will not go unanswered. Shah held a high-level security meeting in Srinagar while operations to track down the perpetrators are underway in the Pahalgam region.
A collective message: Terror has no place here
Even as security is being tightened and central agencies remain on alert, it is the collective civilian response that has emerged as a striking feature. The bandh may last a day, but the message from Kashmiris is resounding: terror has no place here.
With inputs from ANI