Kashmir: Terror Attack Strikes at Tourism’s Heart; Dastardly Killings Condemned Widely

New Delhi: Security has been beefed up across Kashmir after the dastardly terror attack on tourists, killing at least 26 persons in picturesque Pahalgam on Tuesday, April 22. The heinous incident has shaken the Union territory, its people, the economy and the country to the core.

Top security sources told the media that the final figure of those killed was currently being compiled as rescue and identification efforts were still continuing.

This is the first major terror attack on civilians after the abrogation of Article 370 (giving special status to Jammu & Kashmir and bifurcating the state into two UTs) in August 2019 by the Narendra Modi government.

The terror attack comes amid the high-profile visit to India by US Vice-President J D Vance, the absence of Prime Minister Modi, who had to cut short his visit to Saudi Arabia, and in the peak spring season of tourism in Kashmir.

By targeting tourists in Pahalgam’s Baisaran Valley in Anantnag district, often referred to a “mini-Switzerland”, the terror attack seems aimed at striking at the heart of Kashmir’s economy -- the tourism sector, which was seeing a peak in tourist arrivals.

The attack has raised serious concerns across India and the world, as tourists have reportedly so far been rarely targeted on this scale in the troubled region.

Kashmir is now a heavily militarised Centrally-ruled UT with a government in place after five-phase elections were held in 2024, bringing the National Conference-Congress alliance to power, with Omar Abdullah as Chief Minister.

There are conflicting reports of which terrorist group is behind the attack. However, The Resistance Group, said to be a shadow outfit of the Pakistan-backed banned Lashkar-E-Taiba, has reportedly claimed responsibility, as per media reports citing social media posts.

The group reportedly claimed its discontent over "outsiders" being settled in the region, spurring a "demographic change".

The attack also comes in the backdrop of Pakistan Army chief Gen. Asim Munir describing Kashmir as Islamabad's "jugular vein". At an Overseas Pakistanis Convention on April 16, he also cited the ‘two-nation theory’, as does the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh or RSS, stating, "Our religion is different, our customs are different, our traditions are different, our thoughts are different, our ambitions are different — that’s where the foundation of the two-nation theory was laid. We are two nations, we are not one nation.”

 Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Peoples Democratic Party leader Mehbooba Mufti unequivocally expressed deep anguish and anger at the incident aimed at ruining peace in Kashmir.

In a statement to the media, Mufti said, “This was an attack not just by the terrorists on the people but also on our Kashmiriyat and us. I request the Union Home Minister to find out who the perpetrators were so that they can be punished. We are ashamed that this incident happened in Kashmir, and we stand with those affected.”

Condemning the attack and its adverse impact on the livelihoods of Kashmiris, senior CPI(M) leader and MLA Mohd Yusuf Tarigami told the media that already hailstorms had affected crops and now this terror attack would hurt the economy badly.

“Deeply pained by the #attack on tourists in #Pahalgam. In recent years, #Kashmir seemed to be treading the path of peace after decades of #bloodshed, but some vested interests appear determined to derail its economic progress,” he told the media.

He said people of “Kashmir want peace, they have seen enough deaths. Tourism was picking up. Jobs are already less here, more so after the recent hailstorm. We have always welcomed tourists with open arms – the drivers, guides, hotels, shikaras, houseboats, shopkeepers will all face a bad time. Whoever has done this is not a friend of Kashmir, not a friend of humanity,” he told Rising Kashmir.

Meanwhile, the J&K government has established a Clock Emergency Help Desk for tourists in Srinagar and Anantnag and provided several helpline numbers.

Several Opposition parties as well as the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party at the Centre have condemned the terror attack on tourists in one voice. However, Opposition leaders have called for a deep probe on the possible intelligence failure and called upon Union Home Minister Amit Shah to fix responsibility and find out who the perpetrators are.

Kashmir has been facing insurgency and has faced too many deaths and killings since the late 1980s.

After taking over in 2014, the Modi government took away its special status by abrogating Article 370 in 2019. It claimed that the security situation had improved and “normalcy” had returned, which was reflected in the rise in tourists to the region. Around 3.5 million tourists visited Kashmir in 2024, according to official figures.  

Meanwhile, Kashmir Industry Chamber and other industry bodies have condemned the “barbaric” attack on tourists.

“Let it be stated in the strongest terms that neither any true Kashmiri nor any follower of Islam can ever support or justify such a cowardly act. Islam is a religion rooted in peace, mercy, and the sanctity of life. The killing of innocent people is strictly forbidden and stands in stark contradiction to both the teachings of Islam and the values of Kashmiri society,” a statement by Federation of Chambers of Industries Kashmir said.

The KCCI in a statement said the “targeted attack is clearly designed to harm Kashmir’s reputation and undermine the flourishing tourism industry. Such acts of violence go against the hospitable nature of Kashmiri people who have always welcomed visitors with open arms,” the statement said.

Reports said frisking operations in Srinagar and other tourist places have been intensified, as well as enhanced around small, medium, and large hotels where tourists are staying.