By Fawzia Moodley
The Indian government has moved swiftly amidst the grief and outrage after a deadly terror attack at Pahalgam in scenic Jammu and Kashmir, bordering India and Pakistan. The attack on Tuesday ( April 22) by members linked to the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) left 26 tourists dead and 17 injured.
It has reignited tensions between India and Pakistan, both of which claim Kashmir as part of their territories, which has long been a flashpoint for skirmishes between the two countries. Over the past 70 years, domestic militant groups, demanding either independence for Kashmir or for the area to become part of Pakistan, have launched attacks and fought Indian security forces. But this was the first time that tourists were targeted.
The Resistance Front (TRF), to which the LeT is believed to be affiliated, is reported to have claimed responsibility for the latest attack in Pahalgam. It was formed after New Delhi downgraded Jammu and Kashmir’s status as a semi-autonomous state into two union territories, giving the Indian government greater direct control. The move, which allows non-Kashmiris to buy property and participate in government, increased tensions with Pakistan, but the Indian government has argued that it brought positive economic and security spinoffs.
Reacting to the attack, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who cut short his visit to Saudi Arabia, made it clear that there would be retribution. “I strongly condemn the terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. I pray that the injured recover at the earliest. All possible assistance is being provided to those affected,” he tweeted from Saudi Arabia.
Later, speaking at an event in Bihar, East India, Modi had a harsh message for the terrorists: “Today, from the soil of Bihar, I say to the whole world [that] India will identify, track and punish every terrorist and their backers.” He added, “We will pursue them to the ends of the earth. India’s spirit will never be broken by terrorism.”
Retribution was swift indeed. On Friday, the soldiers in Indian-administered Kashmir blew up the homes of two of the three police officers who were alleged to be among the terror attackers, and members of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). According to the police, who have launched a massive manhunt, two of the three suspects were Pakistani nationals. They have offered a 2 million-rupee ($23,400; £17,623) reward for information on each of the suspects, and gave an assurance of confidentiality to informants.
India’s Foreign Minister Vikram Misri said the attack had cross-border links with Pakistan and announced diplomatic moves against its neighbouring country, including the suspension of the crucial Indus Water Treaty. He said the suspension would stay until “Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism”. Misra revealed that several Pakistani diplomats were asked to leave and India’s diplomats had been recalled. In addition, the main border crossing between the two countries would be closed.
Pakistan denied involvement, saying it was unfortunate that India was using a “terrorism incident” to derail the treaty, which allows both countries to share water and is a lifeline for agriculture in both countries, especially Pakistan.
The attack is both a security and economic setback for the region, known as “Little Switzerland” for its scenic beauty and snow-capped mountains. Tourism is the backbone of the Kashmiri economy and the Indian government has successfully promoted Pahalgam as a safe tourist destination in recent years.
Earlier this year, an upbeat Modi had said: “Leaving behind the earlier difficult days, our Kashmir is now regaining its identity as a paradise on earth.” But this dream has been shattered by the attack. In the aftermath of the massacre in the Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam, there has been an exodus of tourists, with airlines running additional return flights from Kashmir’s main city of Srinagar. Tour operators reported massive cancellations and are worried it will be hard to attract fearful tourists back to the area.
There has been worldwide condemnation of the attack, which shattered the peace in Pahalgam, including from South Africa. The Department of International Relations and Co-operation (DIRCO) said in a statement: “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families and loved ones of those who have lost their lives and to all those who have been injured in this horrific incident. The South African government believes that acts of violence and extremism have no place in society and constitute a threat to peace, security and development.”
“The South African government reiterates its condemnation of terrorist attacks in any form and from whichever quarter. The South African government extends its condolences to the government and people of India,” the statement read.
The US Vice President, JD Vance, who was visiting India at the time and US President Donald Trump, also slammed the attack, while the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, who also condemned the massacre, appealed to both India and Pakistan to “exercise maximum restraint” to avoid a deterioration of the situation.
However, whether restraint will be possible amid the heightened emotions and anger triggered by the attack is a moot point.- @NewsSA_Online
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