Jammu and Kashmir is in chaos after a fatal terror attack, heightened army operations, and mass protests. Security forces are actively hunting down four terrorists, whose pictures and sketches have been made public. The attack, which left 26 people dead, primarily tourists, has resulted in rallies at Tangmarg, Ganderbal, Srinagar, Doda, and other locations, with residents calling for action.
#WATCH | J&K | Locals in Tangmarg stage a protest condemning the #PahalgamTerroristAttack on tourists. pic.twitter.com/ZEQPfbkyrN
— ANI (@ANI) April 23, 2025
#WATCH | J&K | Locals in Tangmarg stage a protest condemning the #PahalgamTerroristAttack on tourists. pic.twitter.com/ZEQPfbkyrN
— ANI (@ANI) April 23, 2025
Hindu groups too have participated in the protests. Dogra Front leader Ashok Gupta was outraged: “My Hindus are so weak now. They were murdered one by one. We are not going to accept this anymore… Pakistan is bankrupt, but still they are capable of attacking us. The time has arrived to crush Pakistan and embrace Balochistan.”
#WATCH | #PahalgamTerroristAttack | Jammu, J&K | Dogra Front chief Ashok Gupta says, “… My Hindus have become so weak… They were killed one by one… We are not going to tolerate this anymore… Pakistan is broke, yet they are able to attack us… The time has come to crush… https://t.co/9CqvWLyJ2T pic.twitter.com/LoWeOCxIT7
— ANI (@ANI) April 23, 2025
In reaction to the violence, Prime Minister Narendra Modi shortened his trip to Saudi Arabia and went back to Delhi for an unscheduled meeting with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri.
While the bodies of the 26 tourists who were killed in Pahalgam arrived in Srinagar. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who had visited Srinagar immediately after the attack, laid wreaths on the coffins of the victims at a PCR facility.
Kashmir was shut down on Wednesday, a rare phenomenon in the state in 35 years, as local groups endorsed the bandh call against the killings at Pahalgam. Most of the shops, petrol pumps, and other establishments in Srinagar were shut, with the exception of those selling essential items. Public transport was minimal, but private cars were still plying. Government schools were open, but private schools were closed. The shutdown was also witnessed in other district headquarters in the valley.
