How Kashmir Reacted to the Pahalgam Terror Attack

THE ATTACK ON BAISARAN VALLEY WAS MEANT TO BREAK SPIRITS AND CREATE DIVISIONS. INSTEAD, IT BROUGHT PEOPLE CLOSER TOGETHER. IT SHOWED THAT EVEN AFTER YEARS OF SUFFERING, THE PEOPLE OF KASHMIR STILL HOLD ON TO HUMANITY AND HOPE. IT REMINDED THE WORLD THAT KASHMIRIS ARE NOT JUST VICTIMS, THEY ARE STRONG, CARING, AND DETERMINED TO BUILD PEACE.

- DARAKSHAN HASSAN BHAT

What happened in Baisaran Valley that day wasn't just an attack on tourists—it was an attack on the very soul of Kashmir. People had gone up there for peace, for beauty, to breathe in the fresh mountain air and enjoy the nature. Instead, they were met with terror. But what followed was something even more powerful than the violence—Kashmir stood united. From every town and every street, the people responded not with fear, but with compassion, courage, and an unshakable message: that violence has no place in this land of hospitality and heart.

For the people of Kashmir, the pain was instant and deep. It feel like the attack was against the heart of Kashmir itself. But instead of panic and chaos, people responded with sadness, love, and unity. On the evening of the attack, the streets of the valley were flooded with the people holding candle from Srinagar to Pulwama, Anantnag to Baramulla, where thousands came out to mourn the victims and show their stand against terrorism. People of all ages, faiths, and backgrounds joined together in silence, their quiet support louder than any words. The very next day, April 23, the entire Kashmir Valley observed a voluntary shutdown. Shops, schools, and public transport all stopped. This was not forced by any group or party, it was a shared action of sorrow and protest. It was the people of Kashmir saying: we reject violence and will not let it define us.