New Delhi: New Delhi: On the first anniversary of the Pahalgam terror attack, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tributes to the victims and reiterated India’s firm resolve against terrorism. However, even as the nation remembered the lives lost, voices from Kashmir raised questions on accountability, security lapses, and the lack of clear answers a year after the tragedy.
Remembering those who lost their lives in the April 22, 2025 attack, the Prime Minister said the victims “will never be forgotten” and assured continued support to bereaved families. In a post on X, he said, “As a nation, we stand united in grief and resolve. India will never bow to any form of terror. The heinous designs of terrorists will never succeed.”
The attack, which shook the scenic tourist town of Pahalgam, had not only claimed innocent lives but also left a deep psychological scar on the region’s fragile peace and tourism-driven economy.
Echoing grief from the Valley, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, President of Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir, said the tragedy continues to haunt the collective memory of Kashmiris. “These dates reopen wounds of similar tragedies witnessed over the last three decades,” he said, recalling incidents like Gaw Kadal, Zakoora, Hawal, Sopore, Wandhama, and Chittisinghpura.
Highlighting the human cost of prolonged conflict, he noted that thousands of lives have been lost over the years. Yet, he emphasized that the people of Jammu and Kashmir continue to believe in non-violence and lasting peace through dialogue. “We hope and pray such gruesome events become a thing of the past,” he added.
On the ground in Pahalgam, the impact of the attack remains visible—not just in memories, but in livelihoods disrupted overnight. Locals described how years of rebuilding trust with tourists vanished in a single day.
Nadeem Dar, son of a Kashmiri shopkeeper and a student at University of Delhi, said “We built not just businesses, but relationships and hope. Tourists would often tell us that what they saw in the media was not the reality of Kashmir, “Some even visited our homes. We shared tea and conversations like family. But April 22 changed everything.”
The aftermath altered perceptions dramatically. “Even the name ‘Pahalgam’ began to feel like a stain – spoken with fear, not just outside Kashmir but within,” he said, underscoring how the attack reshaped both identity and economy.
The incident has also reignited questions around security and accountability in one of the most militarised regions in the country. Mohammad Naiyar Azam, a student at AJK MCRC, Jamia Millia Islamia, said that condemnation is necessary,but it is not sufficient.
“As Indians, no amount of condemnation feels enough. But we must also ask how such an attack occurred despite heavy security presence and intelligence mechanisms,” he said.
Azam questioned the lack of clarity regarding the perpetrators and the status of the investigation. “Do we know who carried out the attack, where they came from, or whether they have been apprehended? Can we assure such incidents will not happen again?” he asked.
Drawing parallels with the Pulwama attack, where over 40 CRPF personnel were killed, he pointed out that several questions from past incidents remain unresolved. “Unless we address root causes and investigate deeply, lasting solutions will remain elusive,” he added.
Ayaan Bhat, a 25-year-old tech professional from Pulwama, currently residing in Noida, said. “I have been to Pahalgam. I know how heavily secured it is. It is difficult to understand how two or three attackers could infiltrate and carry out such an attack in broad daylight,”
Pahalgam, a key base route for the annual Amarnath Yatra, remains under constant security surveillance with multiple checkpoints and regular army presence. The security camps are located not far from the attack site, raising concerns about possible lapses, Malik added.
While acknowledging the complexity of such situations, he referred to reports suggesting delays in response time by security forces. “Even if such situations are complicated, it raises concerns about preparedness,” he said.
Reflecting on his personal experiences of growing up amid persistent conflict, which eventually led him to move to Delhi, Bhat said, “There is always a sense of uncertainty. That was one of the reasons I chose to leave.”
The challenges faced by civilians living in conflict zones. “Ordinary people often feel caught between multiple forces. There is no real protection. Refusing one side or complying under pressure can both have consequences,” he said.
Addressing a common perception about locals sheltering militants, he dismissed the notion of voluntary support. “Many times, civilians have no choice. It is not always voluntary,” he said.
He further spoke about the everyday reality of frequent security checks. “Even in my own area, I have had to show my ID repeatedly since childhood. While understandable, it affects daily life,” he added.
For many in Kashmir, the answer is uncertain. “I am 25 years old and I have not seen any significant change so far,” Bhat said, reflecting a sentiment shared by many.
As the nation remembers the victims of the Pahalgam attack, the anniversary is not just a moment of tribute but also of introspection. While leaders reiterate resolve against terrorism, voices from the ground continue to demand accountability, transparency, and a deeper engagement with the realities of conflict.
For the families who lost their loved ones, however, the passage of time offers little solace. Their grief remains as raw as ever and a reminder that beyond politics and policy debates, the true cost of terror is borne by ordinary lives, forever altered.
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