The recent terrorist attack on innocent tourists in Baisaran valley of Pahalgam has shaken the entire nation and cut the hearts of all Kashmiris. This heinous act of terrorists is not merely an assault on innocent lives but every Kashmiri who always wanted to support, help, and guide tourists for their peaceful and enjoyable journey. The Baisaran valley of Pahalgam attack was aimed to blow and stain deliberately to Kashmir’s unique identity and values particularly hospitality, its economy, and its fragile peace. The dreaded terrorists also wanted to create a gulf between our guests and Kashmiris and tarnish the hospitality that Kashmir valley is known for all over the world for a long time but their nefarious and ill designs failed instead enhanced the strong bond of love, respect, spirit of unity, peace, harmony and mutual trust between tourists and Kashmiri people. The guests who came to the Kashmir valley from various states were brutally killed by wild animals in Baisaran valley of Pahalgam. Kashmiri people understand the pain of loss, scars of violence, stands in unequivocal condemnation of this heinous, barbaric, inhumane and cowardly act of terrorism, and offers heartfelt condolences to the victims and families who came to enjoy mesmerising beauties of Baisaran valley of Pahalgam. The people of Kashmir valley united in one voice against the Pahalgam terror attack. People of all faiths in Kashmir stood together, united in grief, completely closed all their business establishments, schools, colleges, universities, protested on roads and held candlelight marches that slapped the terrorists at their face indicating that these cowardly attacks are unacceptable to all Kashmiris and we will not let you succeed in your evil intentions under any circumstances. The killing of tourists in Pahalgam has sent a shock wave across India. It has inflicted deep wounds, shattered lives, bleed hearts, trembled hands, and stolen peace and silenced laughter. Baisaran valley of Pahalgam commonly called “Paradise on the Earth” due to its mesmerizing landscapes particularly snow-capped mountains, gushing streams, carpet green turfs, lush green forests, blooming flowers, pleasant and invigorating climate. Tourists from all over the country have come with dreams of the future and to enjoy the mesmerizing landscapes but tragedy fell on them when terrorists disguised in military uniform showered volley of bullets on tourists indiscriminately tearing through the fabric of humanity itself. The heinous and inhuman act killed 26 innocent tourists including the brave Kashmiri youth Syed Adil Hussain Shah of district Anantnag. As soon as the news of the Baisaran tragedy reached the Kashmiri people, Local Muslim residents rushed to the tragedy spot and helped the wounded, injured, bleeding, screaming children, sisters and brothers and offered their horses and vehicles as ambulances. Syed Adil Hussain Shah one of the brave sons of the Kashmir valley resisted and fought with terrorists and saved the lives of many tourists from bullets but got himself volley of bullets and martyred for the sake of guests and nation. His act of heroism and bravery will not only remain history but will be remembered for all times to come. Many other Kashmiris youth ferried injured guests back on their shoulders from the tragedy spot of Baisaran valley to the hospital for treatment and saved their precious lives. Nazakat Ali, another brave son of the Kashmir valley saved dozens of tourists from terrorist attack and safely escorted them to Pahalgam and later to Srinagar. There are many other Kashmiri boys’ and girls who risked their lives but saved hundreds of tourists from terrorist attacks.
“The people of Kashmir welcome tourists with open arms, its spirit of hospitality is unbroken and are ready to support and help all times to come. The government must identify all the terrorists of Pahalgam heinous crime and brought them to justice as these terrorists’ snatched many innocent lives, brides from grooms, grooms from brides, children from parents and parents from children. The Pahalgam attack should not divide Indian citizens on basis of religion, race, caste, colour, region and sex but unite all us against barbaric and inhuman attacks of terrorists. This is a moment to rise together and embrace the power of unity. Let’s stand together against terrorism, hatred and division and pray for the Kashmir valley for its peace and prosperity where its citizens always feel safe, secure and valued.”
The unity, valour and compassion shown by kashmiris in Baisaran valley speaks their sincere sympathy and empathy towards tourists without any conflict of interest. It is worth mentioning here that all Kashmiri people protested vehemently against the heinous crime of terrorist attack and provided all kinds of support, help, guidance, food, water and accommodation to injured and frightened tourists. However, Kashmiri students who have chosen books over bullets, ambition over alienation and left their homes in pursuit of education to our states are being intimidated, harassed and even beaten by some ill and antisocial elements in various states particularly Uttrakhand, Punjab, Himachal etc. Kashmiri students also want to become doctors, engineers, teachers, bureaucrats, writers, architects etc. for the growth and prosperity of India. They do not want and support any kind of violence but want peace and prosperity across India. Unfortunately, many antisocial elements in a few states who are trying to give the barbaric incident a religious colour and have been considering Kashmiri students terrorists. However, all people of Kashmir valley are famous for their Kashmiriyat. They consider all tourists their near and dear ones. Peace loving kashmiri students and people do not deserve harassment, eviction and even physical harassment for their empathy, sympathy and compassion treatment to their guests instead they deserve genuine appreciation, support and love. Targeting Kashmiri people unconnected to any violence only deepens alienation, fear and perpetuates hatred and division. During the period of road closure amid harsh weather, Kashmiri people are offering their masjids and homes as accommodation and providing free food and water considering tourists as their own guests. They reject violence in all its forms and they have always extended hospitality, humanity, sympathy, empathy, warmth, unity, goodwill, communal harmony to those who come to its valleys. It is ironic that there are many media channels and youtubers sharing news and videos for TRPs. They are only sowing seeds of division, hatred and negativity in people instead promoting unity, brotherhood and peace. Such media channels and youtubers must be banned and given deterrent punishment under laws of the land. Wrong messages by some media channels and youtubers are bent upon spoiling communal harmony witnessed in democratic India for a long time. However, there are also media channels and youtubers, who never indulge in the TRP game, rather report factually and correctly for the communal harmony and prosperity of the nation. It is pertinent to mention that Kashmir valley is witnessing a drop in tourists’ aftermath of the Pahalgam attack that has affected lakhs of families associated with tourism. The tourists in out states need not fear in Kashmir valley instead they should come to enjoy the mesmerising beauties of the Kashmir valley known all across the world. The people of Kashmir welcome tourists with open arms, its spirit of hospitality is unbroken and are ready to support and help all times to come. The government must identify all the terrorists of Pahalgam heinous crime and brought them to justice as these terrorists’ snatched many innocent lives, brides from grooms, grooms from brides, children from parents and parents from children. The Pahalgam attack should not divide Indian citizens on basis of religion, race, caste, colour, region and sex but unite all us against barbaric and inhuman attacks of terrorists. This is a moment to rise together and embrace the power of unity. Let’s stand together against terrorism, hatred and division and pray for the Kashmir valley for its peace and prosperity where its citizens always feel safe, secure and valued.
(The author is a teacher at Govt Boys Higher Secondary School Beerwa Budgam. The views, opinions and conclusions expressed in this article are those of the author and aren’t necessarily in accord with the views of “Kashmir Horizon”)
Mushtaq Ahmad Wani
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