FairPoint: After Pahalgam attack, Amarnath Yatra emerges as a march of faith & resistance

As thousands of pilgrims undertake the arduous journey to the sacred ice Shivalinga nestled 3,880 metres high in the majestic Himalayan cave, each step forward is more than a spiritual act it is a tribute. A tribute to the 26 innocent lives lost in the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, and a strong message of solidarity with the Indian Armed Forces safeguarding the sacred path.

- DEEPIKA BHAN

The emotion is overwhelming as pilgrims express heartfelt gratitude to the Army and security forces who work tirelessly to ensure their safety. This is no small task. Backed by their Pakistani sponsors, terrorist groups continue to make desperate attempts to destabilise Jammu and Kashmir. Yet, India's security forces have been relentless, foiling every such plan with precision. India's response has been unambiguous.

The destruction of nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) sent a clear message restraint is no longer India's stance; Pakistan will be hit where it hurts.

However, the Pakistani military establishment, which wields power unchecked and treats its Prime Ministers and Presidents as mere puppets, continues to pursue its delusional policy of proxy war.

The Pakistan Army and its intelligence wing, the ISI, driven by psychotic perceptions, refuse to accept peace in Kashmir. Instead, they persist with violence and chaos.

Even as Operation Sindoor is underway, Pakistan-trained terrorists are once again trying to create unrest in Jammu and Kashmir. Since the April 22 attack, there have been at least seven major encounters between terrorists and the security forces.

On April 25, a gunfight broke out in the Bandipora district. Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) commander Altaf Lalli was neutralised, while two policemen were injured.