The recent incident in Pahalgam has once again exposed the Modi government’s hollow claims of peace and flourishing tourism in occupied Kashmir, sources say. Defense analysts have strongly criticized New Delhi’s narrative, pointing out that the revocation of Article 370 and the slogan of a "new Kashmir" have only drenched the valley in blood rather than bringing any real change.
Expressing their anger and sorrow, residents of occupied Kashmir stated that Muslims are unjustly blamed for every incident in the region—a burden Kashmiris are no longer willing to bear. "We don't want tourism; we want genuine development," said a Kashmiri citizen. "You attack our call to prayer, and then you expect us to welcome your tourists?"
Locals further remarked that for some, Kashmir has become an industry, where Kashmiris are treated merely as raw material. "No one is willing to hear what truly lies in the heart of a Kashmiri," another resident lamented.
Commenting on the Pahalgam incident, citizens shared grief over the loss of life, mentioning individuals like Abid, a local victim whose name was never highlighted. They emphasized that those who carried out the attack were not Muslims. Quoting Islamic teachings, they reminded that the Quran strictly forbids the killing of innocent people and condemns attacks even during warfare against women, children, the elderly, and the defenseless.
Historically, Kashmiris pointed out, tourists have never been targeted in the region. "We were promised jobs, but nothing materialized," said another local voice. Criticizing the Indian government, they added, "India runs on God's mercy; there’s no real governance."
Highlighting the grim reality, Kashmiris questioned whether true democracy exists in Kashmir when the voices of the people are constantly suppressed. "There’s no footage clearly showing anyone carrying out the attack or asking tourists about their religion," they noted. "The attackers simply wore military uniforms."
Residents asked why, despite the presence of over a million Indian troops in the region, basic security for 2,000 tourists could not be ensured. "In Kashmir, even posting something online leads to arrests—what is the army doing here?" they questioned.
Defense experts concluded that the Muslims of occupied Kashmir now fully understand that as long as Kashmir remains under Indian rule, it will continue to suffer. "In Kashmir today, nothing—neither honor, language, faith, nor basic rights—is safe," they warned. They reaffirmed that the only true solution for Kashmir is complete freedom from Indian occupation.
