Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir – In the wake of the chilling terror attack in Pahalgam that left nine civilians dead and several others wounded, External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar delivered a hard-hitting statement on Friday, condemning the incident as a calculated move to instill fear and provoke communal unrest.
“This was not just an act of violence—it was an attempt to fracture the harmony of our society,” Jaishankar said, addressing a packed press briefing in New Delhi. “The timing, the location, the choice of targets—nothing about this attack was random.”It was intended to create a fear psychosis, and more dangerously, to foment religious discord.”
A Designed Attack Against Peace
The terror strike occurred late Thursday evening in the Lidroo area near the iconic hill town of Pahalgam, a region known more for its stunning vistas and pilgrimage paths than killings. According to police sources, heavily armed militants ambushed a civilian minibus ferrying tourists from different parts of India.
“The assailants opened indiscriminate fire before setting the vehicle ablaze,” said a senior Jammu & Kashmir Police officer, speaking on condition of anonymity. “The level of brutality was staggering—it was meant to send a message.”
Investigators are still piecing together evidence, but early intelligence inputs point toward involvement of Pakistan-backed terror outfits, with some suggesting the hand of Lashkar-e-Taiba’s proxy groups. However, no group has officially claimed responsibility for the attack so far.
The Minister’s Strong Words and Strategic Implications.
Jaishankar’s words were not simple rhetoric. The experienced diplomat-turned-politician positioned the incident as part of a larger strategy of destabilizing India ahead of the upcoming Amarnath Yatra and improving communal relations in Kashmir.
“Let us be clear. This is not just an attack on innocent lives—it’s an attack on the very fabric of unity we’ve been rebuilding,” he stated, referring to the increased interfaith engagement in the valley in recent months. “Those who want to rewind the clock to an era of suspicion and hatred will not succeed.”
He also hinted at potential international ramifications. “We have communicated our concerns to global partners. This is not a local issue—it’s a global fight against extremism,” Jaishankar added, calling on the international community to hold “state sponsors of terror” accountable, in a not-so-veiled reference to Pakistan.
Locals Speak Out: “They Want to Divide Us”
On the ground in Pahalgam, emotions are raw. Amid tightened security and a wave of candlelight vigils, locals expressed a mix of sorrow, anger, and defiance.
“They want to scare us, but they won’t succeed,” said Bashir Ahmad, a shopkeeper whose cousin was among the injured. “Hindus, Muslims—we’ve all lived here together. These murderers want to break that, but we will not let them.”
Amid fear, however, there are stories of resilience. Eyewitnesses have said that when the gunfire began, locals tried to help the victims, carrying victims towards safety as shots rang out. “Religion did not matter in that moment,” said 22-year-old Najma Parveen. “Humanity did.”
Security Heightened, Politics Heightened
Following the attack, security forces have launched a multi-layered combing operation across South Kashmir. The Army, CRPF, and J&K Police are coordinating efforts to track down the assailants. Drones, thermal imaging devices, and intelligence assets have been mobilized.
Meanwhile, the political temperature has also risen. The opposition has criticized intelligence lapses, while the ruling BJP has pledged a “zero-tolerance” approach. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a late-night post on X (formerly Twitter), said: “Every drop of innocent blood spilled in Pahalgam will be avenged. We are united in grief and determination.”
Looking Forward: A Test of Working Together
As Kashmir prepares for the annual Amarnath Yatra, a pilgrimage that draws thousands of devotees to the region, the government is likely to enhance security and send several more paramilitary forces.
Yet it is just as important, beyond the immediate security issue, is a larger test, a test of collective unity and resilience.
“India is strong because of its diversity,” Jaishankar concluded. “Terrorists hope to capitalize on this diversity as a weakness in them. Our response should be a bigger response than their bullets, a response of empathy, calm engagement, and a commitment to create the conditions for peace.”
For now, Pahalgam weeps. But it also resists. As one survivor shared: “They tried to divide us. But now in our sadness, we are more united than we have ever been.”
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