Kashmir Shuts Down in Grief After Pahalgam Terror Attack

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India] April 23: The Kashmir Valley, often full of busy streets and tourist chatter, suddenly turned silent. Shops stayed shut, schools were closed, and not a single car moved on the roads. It wasn’t due to snow or strike by separatists this time. It was pain. People called for a shutdown to mourn the loss of 26 innocent tourists killed in Pahalgam. This silence was a way to show unity, sadness, and anger.

First Hartal Since Article 370

Since the Centre removed Article 370 in 2019, Kashmir had not seen such a complete hartal. Even old Srinagar areas, like Lal Chowk, had every shutter down. A trader held up a small sign that read, “Not in our name.” His eyes were wet. His stall was empty. Many say they had not witnessed this kind of shutdown for years, not out of fear, but out of heartbreak.

Pahalgam’s Changing Face

Pahalgam, once called the land of peace and pine trees, has changed. On Tuesday, tourists were shot in the Baisaran meadow. This place, known for its green valleys and honeymoon memories, now carries a scar. No rides, no tea stalls, no laughter. The silence in Pahalgam on Wednesday wasn’t just in shops — it was in every heart that had once found joy there.

Leaders Respond with Grief

Home Minister Amit Shah, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah visited the police control room. They stood before the coffins and folded their hands. The chief minister announced support money for the families — ₹10 lakh for the deceased, ₹2 lakh for the seriously injured. He said, “This act was inhuman, and our tears will turn into justice.” His voice carried both pain and promise.

Spiritual and Political Unity

All major parties, from National Conference to PDP, and even religious leaders, stood together. Mirwaiz Umar Farooq gave a strong message that Islam never supports killing innocents. He asked people to show peaceful protest through hartal. The people of the Valley listened. That day, Kashmir didn’t speak through slogans. It spoke through silence. The silence of the Valley became the loudest voice against terror.