We the undersigned are horrified and outraged by the heinous terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, India, that targeted innocent Indian and foreign tourists and claimed multiple precious lives is a barbaric act that shocks the conscience. Our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and wishes for a speedy recovery of the injured,

Even more appalling and disgusting is the targeted killing of Hindu tourists by terrorists who reportedly asked for the identity of the victims before killing them. The timing of this attack just ahead of the Amarnath Yatra is clearly aimed at creating fear among the Hindu pilgrims and with a larger heinous design for polarisation along communal lines

But it is reassuring to see that local Muslim residents provided help to the victims including shifting injured persons to hospitals on their ponies and a Strike Call by Traders’ Association and Civil Society of Jammu and Kashmir that are mostly Muslim. In fact, it is the start of the tourist season on which most Kashmiris depend for their survival- 2.2 million tourists visited Kashmir last year in 2024 – and with this dastardly attack that will greatly discourage tourists, the average innocent Kashmiri will suffer severe economic hardships in yet another year.

It is imperative that a handful of inhuman perpetrators should not be allowed to set the narrative, divide communities and hold societies to ransom. We demand that the government should take stringent actions possible to bring these barbarians to account for their unpardonable acts. Further, the government should take the local populations into confidence and partnership to craft solutions for peace that will be productive and lasting.   

Mazher Hussain          COVA Peace Network          Hyderabad   India