Peer Saqib
The idyllic Baisaran meadow near Pahalgam, once a haven of tourist delight echoing with laughter and the gentle rhythm of pony hooves, has become the scene of unimaginable horror. Yesterday’s brutal attack, in which at least 26 innocent tourists were gunned down and over three dozen others wounded by terrorists, has not only claimed precious lives but has also delivered a devastating blow to the fragile economic resurgence that Jammu and Kashmir had been painstakingly cultivating. This barbaric act marks the deadliest assault on civilians in the region since the horrific Pulwama bombing of 2019, casting a long, dark shadow over the narrative of peace and progress that Kashmir had strived so hard to build.
The timing of this atrocity could not have been more cruel. Just weeks prior, the Jammu and Kashmir’s 2024–25 Economic Survey painted an optimistic picture of a region on the mend. The report highlighted a robust real Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) growth of 7.06%, a figure that outpaced many other northern states and signaled a welcome return of investor confidence. Fueling this positive trajectory was a remarkable rebound in the tourism sector, a cornerstone of the Kashmiri economy contributing over 15% to the GSDP. In 2024 alone, the valley welcomed a record-breaking 2.36 crore visitors, including an encouraging 65,000 foreign tourists. This influx of visitors had breathed life back into countless livelihoods – from the pony guides who navigated the scenic trails and the hotel staff who offered warm hospitality, to the café owners serving local delicacies, the transport operators connecting the region, and the artisans crafting intricate souvenirs. For many, this resurgence offered a chance to rebuild after years of economic hardship and uncertainty.
However, the echoes of gunfire in Baisaran have instantly silenced the hopeful hum of economic activity. The immediate aftermath of the attack has witnessed a chilling wave of cancellations. Guesthouses that were once brimming with eager travelers now stand eerily empty. For the thousands of individuals whose daily sustenance depended directly on the steady stream of tourist footfall, the future now looms with a renewed sense of dread. The specter of fickle bookings, unpaid wages, and even the closure of businesses once again haunts the valley. What had been a delicate yet promising economic revival now precariously teeters on the brink of collapse, threatening to plunge countless families back into the depths of economic insecurity.
In the face of such senseless violence, the Kashmiri people have resoundingly affirmed a fundamental truth: terror knows no faith. The perpetrators of this heinous crime, cloaked in their agenda of fear and destruction, cannot claim allegiance to any religion. The sacred texts of diverse faiths unequivocally condemn the taking of innocent life. The Holy Qur’an, in its profound wisdom, states, “Because of that, We decreed upon the Children of Israel that whoever kills a soul—unless for a soul or for corruption in the land—it is as if he had slain all of humanity; and whoever saves one life, it is as if he had saved all of humanity” (Qur’an 5:32). Similarly, the Judeo-Christian tradition lays down the unambiguous commandment: “You shall not kill” (Exodus 20:13).
Buddhism, through the timeless teachings of the Dhammapada, advocates for universal compassion, reminding us that “All tremble at violence; all fear death. Putting oneself in the place of another, one should not kill nor cause another to kill” (Dhammapada 129). Hinduism, too, elevates the principle of non-violence above all other duties, proclaiming “Ahimsa paramo dharmaḥ”—Non-violence is the highest duty (Anushāsana Parva, Mahābhārata). Even Sikhism, in its daily prayer Ardas, culminates with “Sarbat da bhala”—a heartfelt plea for the welfare of all humankind, transcending the boundaries of faith and nation, with the powerful words, “God’s glory ever increases; in His Will, Nanak prays for the good of everyone” (Gurbani, Guru Granth Sahib; concept of Sarbat da Bhala).
As Kashmiris, our collective conscience recoils at this brutal act. We stand united in our rejection of violence in all its abhorrent forms, transcending religious and cultural divides in our shared grief for the innocent lives lost. Our hearts go out to the bereaved families and the injured, and we stand in solidarity with those whose livelihoods have been so abruptly jeopardized. The need of the hour is a decisive and multi-pronged response. Robust security measures must be implemented to ensure the safety and security of all residents and visitors. Simultaneously, it is imperative that the government and civil society organizations extend immediate and sustained economic support to those whose livelihoods now hang precariously in the balance. Only by resolutely upholding the timeless teaching that “to save one life is to save all humanity” can we begin to heal these deep wounds and restore hope to a land that has endured far too much suffering and deserves nothing less than lasting peace and prosperity.
The author can be reached at saakeb121@gmail.com
