Pahalgam attack shatters peace in Kashmir, dampens hopes of tourism revival

The killing of 25 tourists at Baisaran meadow in the scenic town of Pahalgam on Tuesday afternoon has deeply shocked Kashmir and the rest of India. It is the deadliest militant attack in the region since February 14, 2019, when a suicide bomber targeted a CRPF convoy in Pulwama, killing 50 personnel. That attack led to an Indian Air Force strike on a Jaish-e-Mohammed hideout in Balakot, Pakistan, and an aerial clash between Indian and Pakistani jets over Rajouri in Jammu and Kashmir.

 

With Home Minister Amit Shah rushing to Srinagar for an emergency security meeting, the targeting of tourists has raised tensions in the region. Shah has vowed a strong response against the perpetrators of the attack.

 

Baisaran is known as the crown jewel of Pahalgam, often compared to Switzerland. The high-altitude meadow, located about 4 kilometres from Pahalgam, is a popular spot where tourists usually ride ponies. While visitors were enjoying the views of mountains and pine forests, a group of militants—believed to be three to four—opened fire after reportedly asking tourists about their identities. Disturbing images of the victims and grieving families spread quickly on social media. The attackers escaped into the nearby forest.

 

Many militants, including foreign nationals, have moved their bases to the hills of Kashmir. This strategy has also been seen in Jammu’s Rajouri, Poonch, Kathua, Doda, and Udhampur. Over the past four years, more than 50 security personnel have been killed in hill-based attacks. Militants often vanish into the forests. The Pir Panjal range, separating Rajouri and Poonch from south Kashmir, is now a key route for militant movement between Pahalgam and other districts.

 

This is not the first time tourists have been targeted in Pahalgam. On July 4, 1995, six foreign tourists and their two guides were kidnapped by Harkat-ul-Ansar, operating under the name Al-Faran. When demands to release jailed militants were not met, Norwegian Hans Christian Ostrø was beheaded on August 13. American John Childs escaped, but the others were never found. The government declared them dead in 2003.

 

In 2002, militants attacked the Amarnath Yatra twice. On July 30, two pilgrims died in a grenade attack in Srinagar. On August 6, nine people were shot dead at the Nunwan base camp in Pahalgam. These attacks were allegedly carried out by Lashkar-e-Taiba’s front group, al-Mansuriyan.

 

Another major tragedy occurred on March 20, 2000, when 35 Sikh villagers were killed in Chittisinghpura during US President Bill Clinton’s visit to India. Survivors said the attackers wore Army uniforms and shot the men after gathering them.

 

The latest attack has worsened the security situation in Kashmir. It is likely to damage tourism, which supports thousands of local jobs. It may also increase pressure on ordinary people due to tighter security and could delay any progress towards restoring statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.

India