2 weeks Ago By Daily Excelsior
The serene meadows of Baisaran, near Pahalgam in South Kashmir – affectionately dubbed “mini Switzerland” by travellers – turned into a scene of carnage as terrorists opened fire on unsuspecting tourists enjoying a spring afternoon. This attack, the worst on civilians in Kashmir, left multiple dead and at least 20 injured. The full toll remains uncertain as rescue and identification efforts continue amid chaos and mourning.
This brutal act marks a grim chapter in Kashmir’s long struggle with insurgency and militancy. What sets this incident apart is its target: civilians, specifically tourists. By attacking a location known globally for its beauty and growing popularity among domestic and foreign visitors, the perpetrators have aimed not just at lives, but at the very essence of peace-building in Kashmir – its fragile return to normalcy, economic revival, and public confidence.
The attack’s location was not incidental. Pahalgam is one of Kashmir’s safest and most visited tourist destinations. Baisaran, accessible only on foot or by pony, is an idyllic escape frequented by families, honeymooners, and trekkers.
By targeting this meadow, militants struck at the heart of Kashmir’s tourism economy, which has been showing signs of resurgence in recent years. Since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, the Government has emphasised tourism as a cornerstone of Kashmir’s economic integration and normalisation. Hotel bookings have surged, film crews have returned, and local businesses have slowly rebuilt.
Tuesday’s attack seeks to shatter that momentum. It is a brutal reminder that militancy in Kashmir may be diminished, but it is far from eradicated.Terrorism thrives on fear and spectacle.
The choice of a soft, civilian target amid international attention – with U.S. Vice President J.
D. Vance visiting India – was likely timed to ensure maximum visibility and emotional impact. The purpose is to send a chilling message to both domestic audiences and the international community: that peace in Kashmir is precarious and that militancy still lurks in the valley’s most tranquil corners.
The timing of the attack during the U.S. Vice President’s visit adds a geopolitical dimension.
India has long sought international recognition for its fight against terrorism, particularly emanating from across the border. This attack, like Pulwama in 2019, may trigger diplomatic repercussions and renewed calls for global accountability for terrorism funding and training. It is also a test of India’s internal security doctrine in Jammu and Kashmir.
While military operations have been successful in eliminating many insurgent leaders, this incident suggests that sleeper cells or newly radicalised factions are capable of striking hapless civilian targets. Counter insurgency efforts must evolve accordingly.The immediate political reactions were swift and appropriately strong.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the attack as a “heinous act”, vowing that those responsible “will not be spared”. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, cutting short his engagements, rushed to Srinagar to oversee a security review and assure the nation of decisive action. Yet, the terror attack raises important questions.
Armed militants have reached such a remote yet popular tourist location undetected, which speaks a lot about security preparedness.The gruesome terror attack in Pahalgam highlights a glaring security lapse and a complete failure of the intelligence network, which failed to detect even the faintest signs of such a large-scale terror operation. This is not an isolated incident-recent developments across all ten districts of the Jammu division have repeatedly shown that our borders remain dangerously porous, allowing terrorists to infiltrate at will.
The sustained local support enabling these infiltrators to find shelter and move across Jammu and Kashmir with ease only compounds the threat. The frequent sightings of armed terrorists in different areas were clear indicators that they were on the move, yet no preemptive action was taken. Just as terrorists struck Chattisinghpura during U.
S. President Bill Clinton’s visit decades ago, history has repeated itself with a failure to prevent an attack during another high-profile visit. This is not just a terror strike but an open challenge to establishment.
Accountability must be fixed at every level-some heads must roll. The time for reactive responses is over; a proactive, dynamic, and zero-complacency approach is imperative. As Pakistan-sponsored terrorists continue to adapt their tactics, our security forces must stay one step ahead to effectively counter this evolving threat.
No number can measure the trauma that has been inflicted. Videos from the scene show families in shock, women screaming, lifeless bodies strewn on the grass, and injured tourists pleading for help. Survivors spoke of bullets raining down while people enjoyed pony rides and picnics – moments that should be among life’s most peaceful memories, now transformed into nightmares.
Such events have a long tail of consequences. Trust, once shattered, is hard to rebuild. It is just the start of the tourist season and may affect it.
For a region whose economy is already brittle, this attack could have devastating ripple effects.In the aftermath of such horror, the nation must grieve – but it must also reflect. Tourists must feel safe not just by the presence of guns but by the assurance of preparedness, local trust, and quick response.
At the same time, this is a moment for the country to unite against the ideology of hate and violence. No religion, no movement, and no cause can justify shooting civilians in cold blood. Political leaders across the spectrum must come together to denounce this act in one voice – not just for symbolic unity, but for practical coordination.
Healing will take time. But it begins with truth, justice, and sustained peace efforts. Those who lost loved ones deserve more than condolences – they deserve a system that ensures this never happens again.
The Baisaran meadow attack is an assault on hope, peace, and the possibility of a new chapter for Kashmir. The response must be comprehensive and strategic. Kashmir cannot afford to become a place where beauty is overshadowed by bloodshed.
The nation must not let terror succeed in turning paradise into purgatory once again.The post Terror Strikes Kashmir’s Normalcy appeared first on Daily Excelsior..
