Valley Observes Complete Shutdown After Pahalgam Attack; Widespread Condemnation Across Kashmir

Following the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir on Tuesday, political parties and trade unions across the Valley jointly called for a complete shutdown on Wednesday to express solidarity with the victims’ families and to denounce the incident.

Bashir Ahmad Kongposh, General Secretary of the Kashmir Traders and Manufacturers Association, told ANI that the shutdown represents a firm stance against the attack.

“Following the heart-wrenching incident that happened yesterday, the Kashmir traders and manufacturers association will be in complete shutdown today. We have protested against it and condemn this act as strongly as possible. Islam doesn’t allow such things where people get killed. It is the death of humanity. We are really against these acts. Yesterday we had a meeting on the shutdown. We also want to keep these acts away from the region. In solidarity, we have called for a total shutdown in response to the attack,” Kongposh stated.

The business community in Poonch also held protests, echoing the call for a full shutdown.

Ankit Maheshwari, a tourist from Rajasthan, noted that such shutdowns in Kashmir are uncommon.

“This is a big incident, and it is very sad. This should not happen, as it is a very beautiful place, but it is very sad. It has never happened to tourists, and now it has happened for the first time. This should be condemned, and it is very rare that Kashmir has shut down. But the locals here are very supportive and are doing a lot despite the shutdown,” he asserted.

Ashiq Hussain, a Srinagar resident, described the attack as the ‘murder of humanity’ and questioned the motive behind such acts.

“The news of the tourists attacked in Pahalgam is not a good thing because this is the murder of humanity. It is unclear why such incidents are occurring now. Currently, tourism is at its peak, but you will soon see the impact it has. Our name is being tarnished by this situation, which is worsening all over the world. If someone is making a mistake, then our name is getting worse. We don’t want such things to happen. This is absolutely wrong. We Kashmiris are all with them (the victims) right now, with their pain,” he remarked.

Several political parties had earlier voiced support for the Kashmir Bandh scheduled for Wednesday.

They emphasised the need to stand united in the face of the violence in Pahalgam.

The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC), in a social media post, urged people to participate in the shutdown.

Taking to X, JKNC posted, “On the instruction of the Party President, JKNC joins the collective call for a bandh in strong condemnation of the Pahalgam terror attack. We appeal to the people of J&K to ensure the hartal called by religious and social leaders is a complete success.”

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader Mehbooba Mufti also backed the shutdown, calling the attack ‘an assault on all of us’.

The Jammu-Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) condemned the incident as an ‘assault on the very soul of Jammu and Kashmir’ and extended its full support to the bandh.

Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Chairman of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference, appealed to the public to support the shutdown and hold peaceful protests to denounce the ‘heinous crime’.

Meanwhile, the Indian Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police have launched a joint search operation in Baisran, Pahalgam in the Anantnag district to trace those behind the attack.

Also Read: PM Modi Returns To Delhi; Holds Emergency Briefing After Pahalgam Terror Attack