Srinagar: In a rare and symbolic move, leading newspapers in Jammu and Kashmir published black front pages to mourn and condemn the Pahalgam terror attack that left 26 innocent people dead, most of them tourists. The attack was carried out by The Resistance Front (TRF), a Lashkar-e-Taiba offshoot.
Newspapers such as Greater Kashmir, Rising Kashmir, Kashmir Uzma, Aftab, and Taimeel Irshad scrapped their usual designs, replacing them with black backgrounds and striking white or red headlines to deliver a chilling but united message of grief, protest, and resilience.
Bold Headlines, Bleeding Letters
- Rising Kashmir ran the headline “TERROR STRIKES PAHALGAM” in white, with a chilling detail: the letter “O” shaped like a bleeding bullet wound.
- Greater Kashmir’s headline read, “Gruesome: Kashmir Gutted, Kashmiris Grieving,” accompanied by a blood-red subheading, “26 killed in deadly terror attack in Pahalgam.”
These designs were not just editorial decisions, but a visual stand against terror, meant to reflect the sorrow and outrage felt across the region.
Editorial: “Protect Kashmir’s Soul”
Greater Kashmir also published a powerful editorial titled “The Massacre in the Meadow – Protect Kashmir’s Soul.”
The piece emphasized how the attack is not only a human tragedy, but a deliberate strike on Kashmir’s identity, tourism, and economy.
“This heinous act is a blow to Kashmir’s values — its hospitality, economy, and fragile peace… The region’s soul stands in unequivocal condemnation,” the editorial said.
A Wake-Up Call for Authorities
The newspapers highlighted how the terrorists managed to attack a foot-only or pony-accessible tourist site, raising questions about the effectiveness of intelligence and coordination among agencies.
They called for:
- Sharper intelligence
- Stronger community engagement
- Proactive anti-terror efforts
A Call for Unity
Despite the sorrow, the editorial struck a hopeful tone:
“Kashmir’s people have endured violence for too long. Let this tragedy not divide us but unite us in defiance of terror.”
This powerful media protest has resonated across the country, showing how journalism can lead the charge in expressing public sentiment and demanding accountability.
