Violence unacceptable: Opposition parties

Political parties in Jammu and Kashmir condemned the terror attack at Pahalgam which left at least multiple tourists dead and several others injured.

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The attack took place at Baisaran, a meadow at Pahalgam, which is always bustling with tourists, on Tuesday afternoon. Condemning the cowardly attack, former Chief Minister and PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti said such violence was “unacceptable and must be denounced”.

“Historically, Kashmir has welcomed tourists warmly, making this rare incident deeply concerning. A thorough investigation is needed to bring the perpetrators to justice and examine potential security lapses,” she posted on X.

“Ensuring visitors’ safety is paramount, and steps must be taken to prevent such attacks. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families,” she said. She later called for a Kashmir bandh in response to the attack. People’s Conference chief and Handwara MLA Sajad Lone said for decades Kashmiiris had been known as great hosts.

“We have a history of hospitality. And some cowardly terrorists want to destroy it all. The tourism industry has suffered. And people involved in tourism have after a long time begun to restart their lives. They had begun to dream. And here are the ugly villains to shatter it all. Make no mistake. These terror attacks are aimed at yet again disempowering us economically. Those who do this are the worst enemies of Kashmiris,” he said.

He said, “they defile our history of hospitality, smearing our glorious past. And they are a curse on our present.”

Hurriyat chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq described it as a deeply disturbing news.

“Such violence is unacceptable and against the ethos of Kashmir which welcomes visitors with love and warmth. Condemn it strongly. Thoughts and prayers with the families of victims and wishing a speedy recovery to the injured,” Mirwaiz said.

Senior BJP leader and UT party spokesperson Altaf Thakur also strongly condemned the incident. He said the attack was not just an act of terror against innocent visitors, but a deliberate attempt to cripple the Valley’s economy.

The Awami Ittehad Party termed it a “heinous assault on humanity, Kashmir’s centuries-old culture of hospitality, and the sanctity of civilian life”. CPM leader and MLA in Kashmir MY Tarigami said the inhuman act of violence deserved to be denounced in the strongest terms. “Such cowardly attacks on innocent civilians have no place in any civilised society,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Islamic fraternity of J&K through Mutahida Majlis Ulema appealed to people of J&K to peacefully protest against the attack on Wednesday in support and solidarity with the bereaved families.