Locals, leaders, and activists condemn the killings; questions mount over security failure in one of Kashmir’s busiest tourist spots
SRINAGAR — The Kashmir Valley on Wednesday observed a complete shutdown in protest against the deadly attack on tourists at a prime tourist location in the Pahalgam area of Anantnag district a day earlier.
Unidentified gunmen killed 27 tourists and a local in the attack. Several others were also injured.
Condemning the attack, several political parties, socio-religious organisations, trade bodies, and civil society groups called for the shutdown. They all expressed solidarity with the victims.
Most shops, other business establishments, and educational institutions remained closed, while public transport stayed off the roads across the Valley.
Kashmir’s trade and tourism bodies, including the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) and the Kashmir Traders and Manufacturers Federation (KTMF), also joined in calling for the shutdown.
Srinagar’s Lal Chowk, the commercial hub, also remained shut with all shops closed and streets deserted.
While the security has been beefed up across the valley, peaceful protests by locals were also held at several locations across the Valley, where they unequivocally condemned the attack.
Expressing solidarity with the victims and condemning the attack, students and scholars of the University of Kashmir also held a peaceful protest on the campus under the supervision of the Chief Proctor of the university.
People’s Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti also condemned the killings, terming them a direct assault on Kashmiriyat — the essence of Kashmiri hospitality, unity, and communal harmony.
Speaking to the media during a protest at Srinagar’s Ghanta Ghar, Mufti expressed deep sorrow over the incident and extended an apology to the nation on behalf of the people of Kashmir.
“This barbaric attack on innocent tourists is not just a loss of lives, it’s a strike against everything Kashmir stands for. We condemn this cowardly act in the strongest possible terms,” she said.
While urging Union Home Minister Amit Shah to ensure the perpetrators are swiftly brought to justice, Mufti added, “The Home Minister is here, and he must act without delay to hold those behind this heinous act accountable.”
Posting on X, the head of Muttahida Majlis Ulema (MMU), Mirwaiz Umar Farooq also expressed deep sorrow over the incident. “Another day of carnage in the blood-soaked history of Kashmir, when visiting tourists in a most gruesome manner are mercilessly killed. Hapless people of Kashmir know the pain and grief of such tragedies for those who have lost their loved ones today. Such gruesomeness is abhorred in Islam, which is essentially a religion of peace and goodwill, and against all human ethics,” he wrote.
While supporting the shutdown against killings, the Mirwaiz further wrote, “The Islamic fraternity of Jammu and Kashmir through Muttahida Majlis Ulema in support and solidarity with the bereaved families of those killed, appeal to people of Jammu Kashmir to peacefully protest this heinous crime tomorrow by a shutdown.”
Whoever kills an innocent soul…it is as if he had slain mankind entirely”
— Mirwaiz Umar Farooq (@MirwaizKashmir) April 22, 2025
﴿مَنْ قَتَلَ نَفْسًا بِغَيْرِ نَفْسٍ…فَكَأَنَّمَا قَتَلَ النَّاسَ جَمِيعًا﴾ (Al Quran)
Another day of carnage in the blood soaked history of Kashmir when visiting tourists in a most gruesome manner…
Deeply disturbing news from Pahalgam of a cowardly attack on tourists that has resulted in tragic loss of life . Such violence is unacceptable and against the ethos of Kashmir which welcomes visitors with love and warmth. Condemn it strongly. Thoughts and prayers with the…
— Mirwaiz Umar Farooq (@MirwaizKashmir) April 22, 2025
Questions Raised over Intelligence Failure
While the location of the attack — which is usually thronged by thousands of tourists — raises serious security questions, many users on social media questioned the government over the security lapse in the world’s most militarised zone.
The users demanded that the government respond to these lapses without brushing them under the carpet.
Prominent writer and activist Prof Nitasha Kaul said: “The sensible thing is to ask the right questions now — what were the lapses, who is responsible for security, what policies are failing, who in the government is accountable, what are the lessons? Hyper rhetoric between one tragedy & the next is not an answer.”
The sensible thing is to ask the right questions now – what were the lapses, who is responsible for security, what policies are failing, who in govt is accountable, what are the lessons? Hyper rhetoric between one tragedy & next is not an answer. #India #Kashmir #PahalgamAttack https://t.co/t9y00k1HNU
— Professor Nitasha Kaul, PhD (@NitashaKaul) April 22, 2025
One user wrote, “Terror attacks in Kashmir and everyone immediately starts playing the religious blame game. No one is holding the government accountable, no mention of lapses in security, no asking questions from the people in power, no resignations. This religious fanaticism is what’s killing us.”
Terror attacks in Kashmir and everyone immediately starts playing the religious blame game. No one is holding the government accountable, no mention of lapses in security, no asking question from the people in power, no resignations. This religious fanaticism is what’s killing us
— Shobhit (@Shobhit3103) April 23, 2025
“No media is questioning the govt on #Pahalgam terror attack. At least now questions about intelligence failure and lapse in security. No value for human lives or accountability in India,” another user wrote.
No media is questioning the govt on #Pahalgam terror attack. At least now question about intelligence failure and lapse in security.
— The Cancer Doctor (@DoctorHussain96) April 22, 2025
No value for human lives or accountability in India. pic.twitter.com/vgz1tSumlR
“This is a serious case of lapse in security of 2,000 tourists. Does anyone have the courage to question the continuous incompetence of the Modi government? And demand resignation of Amit Shah and Rajnath Singh,” another social media user wrote.
💔 This is a serious case of lapse in security of 2000 tourists.
— Shruti Dhore (@ShrutiDhore) April 22, 2025
Does anyone have the courage to question the continuous incompetence of Modi government? And demand resignation of Amit Shah and Rajnath Singh.#Pahalgam #पहलगाम #LSGvsDC pic.twitter.com/Dy61rKggxC
Amit Shah, who arrived in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday, visited the injured victims in Pahalgam.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was on an official visit to Saudi Arabia at the time of the attack, cut his trip short and returned to the country to oversee the situation on the ground.
