In the aftermath of the devastating terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, political parties across the region have come together in a rare show of unity, supporting a Kashmir Bandh (shutdown) on Wednesday as a mark of protest and solidarity with the victims.
The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC), led by its president, called upon citizens to ensure the bandh’s complete success. In a statement on X, the party said, “JKNC joins the collective call for a bandh in strong condemnation of the Pahalgam terror attack. We appeal to the people of J&K to ensure the hartal called by religious and social leaders is a complete success.”
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti strongly condemned the attack, describing it as “an attack on all of us.” She urged Kashmiris to stand united. “This isn’t just an attack on a select few—it is an attack on all of us. We stand together in grief and outrage & strongly support this shutdown to condemn the massacre of innocents,” she posted.
The Jammu-Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) also lent its voice to the protest. Describing the attack as “an assault on the very soul of Jammu & Kashmir,” the JKSA extended full support to the bandh, emphasizing the collective pain and condemnation across communities.
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Chairman of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference, made a heartfelt appeal to the people of Kashmir to observe the bandh peacefully. Quoting the Quran, he condemned the violence and stressed the teachings of peace in Islam. “Another day of carnage in the blood-soaked history of Kashmir… Such gruesomeness is abhorred in Islam, which is essentially a religion of peace and goodwill,” he said.
Democratic Progressive Azad Party leader Abdul Majid Wani called for accountability and action from the central and state governments. “No religion says to kill anyone… The government should extend all possible help to those families who have lost their loved ones,” he stated.
The attack on tourists in Pahalgam, located in the Anantnag district, triggered widespread outrage across the country. Candlelight vigils and protests were held in Baramulla, Srinagar, Poonch, Kupwara, and other parts of the region, as well as in Jammu, where Bajrang Dal workers also held demonstrations.
According to official reports, five tourists from Maharashtra were among those killed. Deputy CM Eknath Shinde has urged the Union Civil Aviation Ministry to arrange a special flight to evacuate stranded tourists. Minister Ram Mohan Naidu responded affirmatively, assuring that efforts are underway to assist the affected individuals.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah strongly condemned the attack. Modi emphasized that the perpetrators “will not be spared,” while Shah chaired a high-level security meeting in Srinagar, vowing justice for the victims.
Meanwhile, joint forces from the Indian Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police have launched a search operation in the Baisran area of Pahalgam to track down those responsible. Security has also been heightened across tourist locations and key areas, including in Delhi, as the nation continues to mourn and respond to this tragedy.
