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On April 23, 2025, the tranquil meadows of Baisaran in Pahalgam — often hailed as the “Mini Switzerland” of Kashmir — bore witness to an unspeakable tragedy. A place celebrated for its pristine beauty and a symbol of peace was desecrated by a barbaric act of terrorism. At approximately 2:30 PM on April 22, militants affiliated with The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy of Lashkar-e-Taiba, launched a ruthless attack, indiscriminately firing upon tourists and locals alike.
The brutality of the assault claimed 28 precious lives, including 24 tourists, one Kashmiri resident, and two foreign nationals, while injuring more than 20 others — many of whom remain in critical condition.This cowardly and calculated act is condemned not only for its sheer violence but also for its assault on the soul of Kashmir, the spirit of Kashmiriyat, a centuries-old ethos of inclusivity, warmth, and communal harmony. It was not merely an attack on individuals but an affront to the collective conscience of a land that has always extended hospitality and humanity to those who walk its valleys.
Eyewitness accounts detail a scene of terror and deception. Five to six militants, clad in military-style uniforms to mimic security personnel, emerged from the woods and began their heinous assault. They stopped tourists and asked for identities, a clear indication that the victims were targeted and executed in cold blood.
Among the brave was Syed Adil Hussain Shah, a local horseman known to many in the region, who died shielding tourists from the hail of bullets. His selfless sacrifice stands in stark contrast to the depravity of the assailants. Another victim, Bharat Bhushan, a Naval officer on leave, and Ananya Reddy, a software engineer from Bengaluru, were among those who had come to embrace the serenity of Kashmir only to become martyrs of a terror they never anticipated.
This attack was not a skirmish between militants and security forces, nor was it a strike on infrastructure or military assets. It was a massacre – deliberate, targeted, and aimed at inflicting maximum psychological trauma. It sought to disrupt the revival of tourism and instill fear in the hearts of those who see Kashmir as a land of peace and beauty.
The TRF’s baseless claims that the attack was in response to alleged “demographic changes” in the Valley are nothing more than grotesque attempts to rationalise murder. What demographic change is addressed by the killing of honeymooners, hikers, and local guides? None. Only death and division.
Kashmiriyat, the timeless ideal that defines the cultural soul of the Valley, is built on the pillars of tolerance, mutual respect, and harmony among diverse communities. For generations, Kashmir has welcomed people from all walks of life, pilgrims, poets, wanderers, and seekers, into its fold with open arms and warm hearts. This heinous crime strikes at the very core of that identity.
It not only endangers the lives of innocent civilians but also threatens the livelihoods of thousands of Kashmiris who depend on tourism as their economic backbone. As Chief Minister Omar Abdullah rightly observed, the grief that has swept through Kashmir following the attack is profound and widespread, marketplaces shut in protest, and spontaneous vigils sprung up across towns and villages. These are not mere political gestures.
They are the voice of a people in mourning, of a Valley united in its rejection of violence.In 2024, more than 3.5 million tourists visited Kashmir, injecting hope, opportunity, and dignity into communities still healing from past conflicts.
Local artisans, hotel owners, pony riders, shopkeepers, and countless others found purpose in welcoming guests and showcasing the Valley’s natural and cultural richness. This attack threatens to undo that fragile progress, replacing joy with fear and jeopardising the region’s economic lifeline.Yet even in this hour of darkness, the light of solidarity shines.
Candlelight vigils in Srinagar, Anantnag, and Baramulla and the outpouring of support from across India bear testament to Kashmir’s enduring resilience. The people of Kashmir have spoken loudly and clearly that they reject this path of destruction. They stand not with violence but with peace, progress, and pluralism.
Let there be no doubt the perpetrators of this crime and those who shelter or glorify them have no place in a society rooted in compassion. This was not a fight for freedom or justice. It was a murder of innocence, a betrayal of tradition, and a wound inflicted upon a place that has endured far too many such scars.
We must honour the 28 souls we lost not only with words of sorrow but with actions of courage. We must reaffirm our commitment to peaceful coexistence, to the principles of Kashmiriyat, and to building a future where terror has no foothold. Let this tragedy be the last, let it awaken us to the urgent need for unity against forces of hatred.
To all Kashmiris, to every Indian, and to global citizens who cherish humanity, this is a moment to rise together. Reject violence in all its forms. Embrace the power of unity.
Reclaim Kashmir not through vengeance but through a vision that upholds dignity, justice, and love.In the meadows of Baisaran, where flowers once bloomed and laughter once echoed, let us now plant seeds of hope. For the sake of those we lost.
For the future of Kashmir. For the soul of our nation. Together, with collective strength and unwavering resolve, Kashmir will prevail.
Maj Gen Amin Naik, SM and Arjuna Awardee, a veteran and former Additional Director General at the Army Headquarters, was born and raised in Kashmir. His deep connection to the region gives him an intimate understanding of Kashmir, its people, and its aspirations. His extensive experience and unique perspective offer invaluable insights into the region’s complexities.
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