Pahalgam attack: A heartbreaking reminder that Kashmir issue is far from over

Yesterday morning as I checked my phone the heartbreaking news of the killing of 27 innocent, unwitting tourists at the hands of three gunned terrorists struck me. My heart sank a little thinking of their family who could not do anything but witness their loved ones being slain in the name of sheer madness. Images of a newly married couple with the husband lying dead on a green pasture and his new bride sitting next to him are doing the rounds on social media. One would think the image is just newlyweds enjoying their holiday in the midst of nature until you look closely to realize the grim reality behind it. This incident is reminiscent of the 2008 Mumbai attacks, where armed gunmen roamed the city, targeting innocent people going about their daily lives. It’s a grim display of so-called heroism—attacking the unarmed and unsuspecting, akin to the proverbial ‘Peeth pe khanjar,’ or stabbing someone in the back.

I won’t blame you if you say your blood curdles at this news. Pakistan is again emerging as the prime suspect as the perpetrator of this heinous attack. The fact that the incident followed closely after Pakistani Chief Asim Munir’s Anti- Hindu rant raises eyebrows. The Pakistani army: recently beaten down after attacks from the Balochistan Liberation Army, may have been seeking to reclaim their lost machismo. Their strategy of choice has been it seems; state sponsored covert terrorist strikes on ordinary Indian citizens. Including religion in the midst of it is a desperate attempt to seem righteous. Maybe it works as a guise to hide the power-hungry money generating politics behind it all.

How it will affect the growing normalcy and tourism in Kashmir remains to be seen. The ordinary people, business operators, tour operators of the area could be seen protesting against these attacks. It is fair to assume that improvement in the peace, education and economy of the valley is a real threat for anybody who wishes to profit from its segregation from the rest of India. As tourists will turn their backs on Kashmir the ordinary people will suffer but surely there are some influential entities such as the Pakistani army who can heave a sigh of relief as they can keep the Kashmir issue alive. If it works as a Cash Cow for the Pakistani army I do not know but I do think it is a fairly straight forward assumption to make.

Although it is unfortunate, I sincerely hope that ordinary people do not have to sacrifice their lives and peace due to fanaticism, politics, or both. The Indian government will undoubtedly take a firm position as a nation of over 1 billion watches closely. I hope their response goes beyond diplomacy and that those responsible face true justice. In the meantime, all we can do is remain hopeful.