Pahalgam attack: A wound on Kashmir’s soul, a test of India’s resolve

Heramba Nath

(herambanath2222@gmail.com)

On 22 April 2025, the se-rene meadows of Baisaran Valley near Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, witnessed an unspeakable tragedy. Five heavily armed militants ambushed a group of Hindu tourists, leaving 26 dead — including one Nepali national — and over 20 grievously injured. The Resistance Front (TRF) initially claimed responsibility, but later disowned the attack, reflecting the murky, opportunistic world of terror group propaganda. Beyond the immediate horror, this incident lays bare deeper structural issues: a troubling gap in security preparedness, fragile economic optimism, and the complex socio-political contradictions of a region still struggling to emerge from decades of conflict.

The timing of the attack could not have been more devastating. Kashmir, after years of insurgency and pandemic lockdowns, had begun to reclaim its status as a top tourist destination. Valleys were bustling again, hotels were fully booked, and young Kashmiris — many of them first-time entrepreneurs — were finding livelihoods as guides, hoteliers, and craftspeople. Tourism had come to symbolize a return to normalcy and a path toward sustainable economic prosperity, contributing around 7–8% of the Union Territory’s GDP. In a single stroke, the attackers targeted not just lives, but dreams — sowing fear among prospective visitors and setting back painstaking progress.

Amidst the carnage, the response of Kashmiri civilians was a poignant reminder of the resilience and humanity that continues to define the region. Pony-handlers, small shopkeepers, and villagers abandoned personal safety to assist the injured, carrying them to safety, offering water and first aid, and guiding security forces. Several Gurudwaras and local mosques opened their premises to provide refuge. These spontaneous acts of courage reflect the living spirit of Kashmiriyat — the centuries-old tradition of communal harmony, compassion, and hospitality. Despite countless provocations over the years, these values endure, suggesting that while terror can kill bodies, it cannot conquer spirit.

The Indian government’s response was rapid and firm. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, cutting short a crucial diplomatic tour, chaired an emergency national security meeting. A series of strong retaliatory measures followed: suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty — a decades-old symbol of Indo-Pakistani engagement — expulsion of Pakistani diplomats, tightening of cross-border movements, and intensification of counter-terror operations. Within Kashmir, an immediate security review was ordered across all tourist zones, and the National Investigation Agency (NIA) took charge of the investigation. Intelligence-sharing protocols were revamped, and elite counter-insurgency units, including specialized CRPF and Army formations, were deployed to suspected militant hideouts.

Yet these responses, however necessary, cannot erase the unsettling fact that serious security lapses preceded the attack. The decision to open Baisaran Valley for tourists months ahead of the usual schedule was reportedly driven by political and economic pressures rather than security assessments. Basic safety protocols — such as regular patrols, communication jammers, or even adequate CCTV coverage — were missing. There was also a reported delay in the response once the attack commenced, pointing to a breakdown in coordination between local police, paramilitary forces, and intelligence units. These vulnerabilities must be treated not as isolated failures, but as systemic weaknesses that urgently require comprehensive reforms.

At the international level, the Pahalgam attack deepens already fraught relations between India and Pakistan. India has provided evidence pointing to cross-border involvement, including recovered weapons with Pakistani markings and intercepted communications. Pakistan’s predictable denial, coupled with a call for an international investigation, follows a familiar script of evasion. However, India’s unprecedented decision to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty — a pact that survived wars and political crises since 1960 — mark a turning point. Water-sharing has been a sensitive and stabilizing element of bilateral ties, and its disruption could have far-reaching implications not just for India and Pakistan, but for the wider South Asian region’s water security and agricultural stability.

Global reactions were swift but largely rhetorical. Nations, including the United States, France, Germany, Russia, and Saudi Arabia condemned the attack, expressed solidarity with India, and called for action against terrorism. However, the lack of concrete punitive steps against state-sponsored terrorism highlights a persistent gap between global counter-terrorism rhetoric and realpolitik interests. This underlines the necessity for India to strengthen its self-reliance in counter-terrorism operations, while also working toward building stronger international legal mechanisms to hold state sponsors accountable.

Beyond immediate security concerns, the Pahalgam tragedy brings into sharper focus the broader socio-economic and psychological challenges confronting Kashmir. Despite high-profile investments and developmental programmes, large sections of Kashmiri youth remain trapped in a cycle of unemployment, alienation, and political disenchantment. Terrorist recruiters exploit this vulnerability, weaving narratives of injustice and martyrdom to radicalize susceptible minds. Breaking this chain requires not just counter-propaganda but meaningful engagement: providing quality education, nurturing skills relevant to the global economy, promoting cultural pride, and ensuring political representation.

Deradicalization efforts must go beyond punitive measures. They must include community-based approaches where families, local religious leaders, teachers, and NGOs work together to identify at-risk youth and offer pathways back into mainstream society. Successful models from Southeast Asia and Africa show that it is possible — but it demands patience, investment, and political will.

Meanwhile, civil society continues to offer the most powerful counter-narrative to terrorism. In the days following the Pahalgam attack, spontaneous peace rallies, joint interfaith prayers, candlelight vigils, and solidarity messages poured in from across Kashmir and mainland India. These gestures, though often underreported, are crucial — they demonstrate that the overwhelming majority of Kashmiris reject violence and yearn for normalcy. Encouraging and amplifying such grassroots voices is as important as any military victory.

Equally important is guarding against reactionary communalism. In the aftermath of terror attacks, there is often a dangerous temptation to paint entire communities with a broad brush. Doing so is playing directly into the terrorists’ hands, fulfilling their goal of deepening societal fault lines. India’s constitutional democracy, rooted in pluralism and rule of law, must stand resilient. Justice must be pursued with rigour but without prejudice, ensuring that while perpetrators are punished, innocents are protected.

Environmental sustainability also looms as a critical but often overlooked issue. Kashmir’s natural beauty — its rivers, forests, glaciers, and meadows — is not just a tourist attraction but a lifeline. Unregulated construction, waste mismanagement, and environmental degradation are eroding this asset rapidly. As tourism grows, it must be reimagined through the lens of eco-tourism, involving stricter regulations, waste management systems, and caps on tourist influx during fragile seasons. Only a careful balancing act can ensure that economic revival does not come at the cost of ecological collapse.

The Pahalgam attack must not be remembered solely for its horror, but for the lessons it offers. It underlines that peace in Kashmir remains fragile, susceptible to both external manipulation and internal mismanagement. It shows that economic development, while critical, is not a panacea unless accompanied by social healing, political inclusion, and environmental responsibility. And it reminds us that the ultimate battle against terrorism is not merely fought on borders or in police stations — but in the hearts and minds of ordinary citizens.

Kashmir stands at a crossroads. Down the one path lies renewed fear, division, and a relapse into old cycles of violence. Down the other lies resilience, reform, and the possibility of a lasting peace built on justice, dignity, and mutual respect. The choice, though difficult, is clear. It is upon the nation — its leaders, its institutions, and above all its people — to ensure that the sacrifices of the victims at Pahalgam are not in vain, but instead serve as a foundation for a stronger, fairer, and more hopeful tomorrow.