Kashmir Shuts Down in Unified Protest Over Pahalgam Terror Attack, Locals Call It a ‘Murder of Humanity’

Srinagar, April 23, 2025:  A complete shutdown was observed across the Kashmir Valley on Wednesday following the terrorist attack in Pahalgam that left the region in shock and mourning. Political parties, traders’ unions, and local communities united in a show of solidarity with the victims’ families and condemned the incident, which has been described by many as a “murder of humanity.”

Bashir Ahmad Kongposh, General Secretary of the Kashmir Traders and Manufacturers Association, emphasized that the shutdown was not just a symbolic gesture but a loud protest against the violence. “Following the heart-wrenching incident that happened yesterday, the Kashmir traders and manufacturers association will be in complete shutdown today. We have protested against it and condemn this act as strongly as possible. Islam doesn’t allow such things where people get killed… It is the death of humanity… We are really against these acts,” Kongposh told ANI. He added that the association had met a day earlier to make the collective decision, expressing hope that such acts would be driven out of the region permanently.

Business communities in Poonch echoed similar sentiments, holding protests and joining in the valley-wide shutdown to voice their condemnation of the attack.

Tourists in the region, while affected by the bandh, expressed understanding and empathy. Ankit Maheshwari, a tourist from Rajasthan, noted that although such shutdowns are rare in Kashmir, the locals remained supportive despite the somber circumstances. “This is a big incident, and it is very sad. This should not happen, as it is a very beautiful place, but it is very sad. It has never happened to tourists, and now it has happened for the first time. This should be condemned, and it is very rare that Kashmir has shut down… But the locals here are very supportive and are doing a lot despite the shutdown,” Maheshwari said.

Local residents voiced deep sorrow and concern. Ashiq Hussain, a resident of Srinagar, called the incident a blow to Kashmir’s image and humanity itself. “The news of the tourists who were attacked in Pahalgam is not a good thing because this is the murder of humanity… It is unclear why such incidents are occurring now. Currently, tourism is at its peak, but you will soon see the impact it has. Our name is being tarnished by this situation, which is worsening all over the world. If someone is making a mistake, then our name is getting worse. We don’t want such things to happen. This is absolutely wrong… We Kashmiris are all with them (the victims) right now, with their pain,” he said.

Political parties in Jammu and Kashmir stood in unanimous support of the bandh. The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) issued a statement on social media platform X, calling for public participation to ensure the shutdown’s success. “On the instruction of the Party President, 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,” the statement read.

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti also voiced her support for the bandh, describing the attack as “an attack on all of us.” The Jammu-Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) echoed this sentiment, labelling the attack an “assault on the very soul of Jammu and Kashmir.”

Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Chairman of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference, urged the people to support the shutdown and participate in peaceful protest against what he called a “heinous crime.”

Meanwhile, security forces have launched a joint search operation in the Baisran area of Pahalgam, Anantnag, to track down the attackers responsible for the ambush. The Indian Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police are currently scouring the region as part of the ongoing investigation.

The unified response to the attack reflects not only the pain of a community struck by tragedy but also the collective call for peace, accountability, and justice.