Unite to defeat enemies of peace: Altaf Bukhari To People

Srinagar : Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari here on Friday appealed people to “preserve their spirit of kindness, empathy, and hospitality, despite the warmongering of certain communal elements.” He said that a large number of “tourists have given militants a befitting response by staying in the valley despite the gruesome massacre, which claimed 26 innocent lives in Pahalgam.” The Apni Party president said that “upholding unity, mutual trust, and resilience is the key to overcoming adversity and defeating the enemies of peace.”
In a statement issued on Friday Bukhari said, “I take immense pride in saying that the people of Kashmir embody extraordinary hospitality and compassion. During the winter, the residents of Gund village in Ganderbal opened their homes and mosques to provide shelter to hundreds of foreign and domestic tourists who were stranded in heavy snowfall. In freezing temperatures, the locals offered free food and tea to these guests.”
He further said, “Several accounts have now surfaced, revealing that during the recent gruesome militant attack on tourists in Pahalgam, locals—despite their own fear and panic—came forward to help the injured at Baisaran Meadow. Our hero, Syed Adil Hussain, gave his life while trying to disarm a militant. Local drivers gave many tourists free rides to Srinagar. Auto-rickshaw drivers ferried tourists—who chose to leave the valley after this horrific attack—to the airport free of charge. Locals were seen weeping, heartbroken by the tragedy that unfolded.”
Applauding the hospitable nature of the people of Kashmir Bukhari stressed on keeping this spit alive. He said, “The spirit of hospitality is woven into the very fabric of Kashmiri identity—and it must be preserved and kept alive, despite the warmongering of some communal elements.”
“I am pleased to know that, despite the gruesome attack and the loss of lives in Pahalgam, many tourists have chosen to stay. Thousands have visited Sonamarg, Doodhpathri, and Gulmarg over the past two days. Remarkably, over 9,600 tourists rode the Gulmarg Gondola in just two days following the heinous incident. This is a befitting response to the militants and their handlers—and it gives hope,” he added. Bukhari said that upholding unity, mutual trust, and resilience is the key to overcoming adversity and defeating the enemies of peace.