ONE YEAR OF PAHALGAM : HAVE WE FORGOTTEN OR ARE STILL VIGILANT ?
Full one year of one of the most inhuman and unthinkable episodes at Baisaran valley, Pahalgam has been completed. However, we still appear to be somewhat casual, if not in dormant state of mind after displaying “worthwhile action” through Operation Sindoor. It was understood to be in the name of those ‘Viranganas’ who lost their husbands and close relatives in a fraction of minutes.
Subsequently, in the Old Delhi blast of November 10, 2025, sixteen persons were brutally killed and over 25 were severely burnt/ injured, including a Doctor Suicide Bomber (In India for first time).This gory happening led to discovery of involvement of a large group of doctors, including women, for the first time.
Why Secrecy ?
Highlights of investigations and follow up actions in regard to Pahalgam and Old Delhi incidents are yet to divulged. Even the list of injured has not been made public. This level of secrecy is not called for. No way, it should be desirable in a democratic set up.Where do we stand vis-a-vis claims of normalcy and mind boggling public expenditure ?
Terrorists More Dare Devil
Brutal murder of 26 tourists and one Ponyman at point blank range at Pahalgam and fatal injuries to 17 persons shows that terrorists are trained so meticulously nowadays that they can ‘finish off’ their ‘operation’ in just twenty minutes and disappear into their hideouts. Not only their level of “motivation to die” is so high but technically too they have the “requisite acumen to perform”. In a nutshell, they are more dare devil than perpetrators of 1993 Bombay Blasts, serial train blasts or 26/11 blasts of 2008, yet again in the financial hub of ‘Mumbai’.
Innocent Bread Earners
It goes without saying that several innocent sole bread earners were compelled to sacrifice their lives by attackers clad in camouflage outfits, simply because they failed in reciting a line of Kalma. They were asked names prior to pumping of bullets. Twelve victims had head injuries whereas three cousins were shot in stomach, head and chest that too before their family members.
Forty year old house wife of Bengaluru, family members of a 65 year old brave and determined person from Thiruvananthapuram and many from Maharastra and other places only know how much grief they are feeling and how much has been already coped with. Latter was shot dead while riding a horse and was ‘watched so’ by his daughter. Incidentally, he would teach his children and grand children to speak boldly and calmly.
Ironically, such highly shattered and distressed family members were rescued and taken to safer places by the local Kashmiris only. It happens in incident after incident. They were rightly considered “brothers” by the survivors.
Religion Factor
It is said that terrorists have no religion but in the picturesque valley of Baisaran, 6 kms from Pahalgam, it was religion that dominated all through. It was the deciding factor.
The kith & kin of those massacred or the fortunate survivors must be feeling the pinch seriously even after a lapse of one year or whenever they are requested to share their extreme grief and desperation.They deserve all privacy, instead of constant questioning.
Re-opening Proposal of Tourist Places
It has been learnt that both the Central and the U.T. Governments are thinking now of re-opening tourist spots with maximum footfall, not the ones easiest to re open. Idea seems to be to remove fear from the minds of local people as also tourists intending to visit this paradise of earth. It has been learnt that authorities donot wish to present a picture of callousness, hence, all care and calibration has to be ensured especially with regard to tourists from Gujarat, Maharastra and West Bengal. Since apprehension lingers on, there may be plans to reopen places surrounding Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Doodhpatri etc., to begin with.
Tulip Garden, Srinagar
Re-launching of vast & highly impressive Tulip garden in Srinagar may boost the shattered morale. But when tourism took a reverse gear, the authorities felt that whoso ever ‘took the risk’, they did so with one and a half hands tied behind their backs. Time is the best healer and that should help in taking positive action.
Leftover effect of the sacrilege will be always there but fear regarding J & K state may be also due to never ending Iran- Israel-U.S.A. war factor or Hormuz syndrome.
Dwindling number of tourists in other countries at present too is an issue to be considered, to be taken note of. Not to be ignored is the actual shortage of LPG, CNG, P.O.L. etc much against official claims to the contrary, And lack of work force in a tourist facility.
Wounds Can Not Be Healed Easily
While wounds of family members of the unfortunate victims of Pahalgam and Old Delhi episodes are yet to heal, residents of Pahalgam and other tourist spots are openly blaming the terrorists who mingled rather well to strike a state of terror and intimidation on the fateful afternoon of 22nd April in the lush green landscape of Baisaran valley.
There are a large number of people still grappling with the after effects of the tragedy in this otherwise peak tourist season. Dreams of Pony riders, tea shop owners , taxi drivers, guides, travel agents, hoteliers etc, has been either shattered or showing a certain downward trend. During the peak tourist season, a Ponyman would earn an average of Rs.7000 to Rs.8000/ a day. It would be sufficient to take care of his family’s expenses for the next ten months or so. If micro players are looking this way, one can think of the other crucial drivers of the state economy, largely dependent on grants and grants of the Centre.
Lifeline Yet To Be Restored
Without any doubt, crucial lifeline of the valley has been cut off despite introduction of swanky trains and construction of one of the highest bridges in the world over the Chenab river.
Barely 10% occupancy recorded in the commercial or Government accommodations in and around Pahalgam may not push the low lying local economy. Such losses apart from impact on migrant workers and helpers can not be calculated. According to one guess, as against the 15,000 footfalls in the normal tourist season, barely, daily number of one hundred is being recorded at present. What a discouraging downfall !
Also those, who were aspiring to send their wards outside Kashmir to Delhi, Iran, Dubai, Abu Dhabi or U.S.A. are compelled to keep them under the fast deteriorating, if not suffocating surroundings of the state. Unfortunately, they are compelled or destined to trek the mountains throughout their life.
Amarnath Yatris Too May Face Difficulty
The service providers to annual Amarnath Yatra too are expected to meet a bit of similar fate. During the last one year, scores of Pony men, local people and tourist guides have been interrogated by the teams of National Investigation Agency and state Police. It certainly affects the morale. However, statement of a tourist family from Keralam about the beauty of Pahalgam area even under the present state of solitude gives a certain positive reassurance.
But can we give enough courage to Syed Haider Shah whose 29 year Ponywala son Adil was the only Kashmiri to be killed last year by the so called Pakistani terrorists. In view of some repairs and additions to his house out of compensation money received from J&k and Maharastra Governments, the reduced family of four had plans to occupy “new” house on 22nd April. But absence or memory of Adil will be always felt/ haunted.
Addition of Infrastructure
As far as infra structure around popular spots, such as, Pahalgam or Baisaran park is concerned, it is good that no improved foot path or jeepable road was built in the past one year. Otherwise exotic charm of the thick pine forest would have gone for ever. Same applies to spots, such as, Aru valley, Chandanwari and Betab valley. Tourists keen to visit Gulmarg and Sonmarg are going ahead with their long drawn itineraries.
TO CONCLUDE
What happened to Government ‘s decision of hitting very hard on the terrorists from across the border, after a fresh attempt was made to strike terror in the country ? Delhi blasts of November 10, 2025 have already taken place, killing 15 persons and injuring over 24. But did we wake up & went closer to the International border ?
Whosoever takes initiative, wishes and aspirations of a poor Kashmiri or similar distressed Indians deserve to be considered, on a TOP PRIORITY.
It was for the first time after Pahalgam incident that outrage of common man had been triggered on a huge scale. Same needs to be given due Credence & Significance in The National Interest.
(The author is former Chief Secretary, Sikkim. Views are strictly personal)
