Barbaric and
inhuman act
Endless shrieks must have pierced the skies of Baisaran meadows in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir last Tuesday, as tourists lay motionless in pools of blood following one of the deadliest terror attacks on civilians in recent years in the valley.
The barbaric and inhuman act by the terrorists, killing 26 people, including two foreign tourists, need to be condemned severely, and such incidents have no place in a civilised society. The incident marks a significant escalation in violence directed at civilians in J&K, a region that has been striving hard to recover from years of militancy.
The tragic event has not only claimed precious human lives but has also cast a shadow over the efforts to revive tourism in J&K, a region rich in natural beauty and cultural heritage. A multifaceted approach that includes military, political, and socio-economic strategies is necessary to address the complex challenges in the region. Policymakers, security forces, and the community must work together to ensure long-term peace and stability in the valley.
It is highly unfortunate that red-roses that parade the beautiful snow capped valley of J&K and offer visual delight to the locals and tourists seem to painfully often turn themselves into stains of blood, signifying madness of violence when they should actually embody their true nature of beauty, love and passion.
Ranganathan Sivakumar, Chennai
Tragic failure
of J&K policy
Terrorists killed 26 tourists in Pahalgam, Kashmir, including foreigners. J&K has been cleaved in two and the Centre has complete control over law and order. Recently, a meeting on the security situation in the valley was held, but Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was asked to leave before the confabulations.
The blame for the deaths of these innocent tourists squarely lies at the PM's and HM's door. Nobody else is responsible.
Their Kashmir policy has been a spectacular failure. The much tom-tommed abrogation of article 370 of the Constitution was supposed to herald the dawn of peace in the valley. But will the media which shrieks Hindu- Muslim 24×7 ask for accountability? No, the talking heads have started blaming Pakistan's ISI and some vague Lashkar outfit for the killings even as evidence is yet to come by. This is simply ring-fencing the top two from any blame. The murders happened in an area where there are army checkposts @ every 100 meters, yet the terrorists sneak in with heavy weapons and ammunition. Was this an intelligence failure? Sinister shades of Pulwama all over again, how many more people will be killed before the PM and HM shoulder responsibility and resign? Oh, by the way remember Manipur?
Vinay Dwivedi, Benaulim
Heinous act
Terrorists Killing tourists in Pahalgam (J&K) is a heinous cowardly inhuman act. Pope, Mahatma Gandhi always said peaceful negotiations is the only meaningful humane way out for humans. It is self defeating for J&K because it will lose on tourism earnings. Who will visit a unhappy sadistic killer place (or killer organisation)?
Top class expert scientists invent, construct, build, save humanity and lives. Terrorists nullify their achievements by killing, destruction, sadism and harm.
Sreelekha PS, Telangana
The government
must provide answers
Regarding the Pahalgam murders, the shocking fact is that LoC (Line of Control) is located approximately 150 to 200 km from Pahalgam. If the attacks on Tuesday were carried out by 3 FTs (foreign terrorists) and 1 Indian militant, then the big question that arises is how did these 3 FTs penetrate so deep inside the heavy guarded valley? Secondly if these terrorists are so efficient in breaking the counter-terrorism grid then what stops them from creating mayhem in Srinagar or the rest of India ?
After the incident, these men would obviously take refuge in the deep forests and mountains of Baltal and Tral. For how long can the terrorists sustain themselves? Do they have some kind of local ground support? If so, then how many groups have set up base and may strike in the future?
This mass murder points to an intelligence failure first and foremost, the Kashmir valley is a place where there is an army checkpost every 100 metres, the roads are constantly patrolled by soldiers and every tourist and local has to show a government issued identity document when asked.
It is obvious that the terrorists must have been waiting and watching inside the security grid before they attacked, it was a meticulously planned and executed operation.
The government must answer several questions before any unreasonable retaliatory “strike” takes place. 'Kadi ninda' and the usual 'zero tolerance for terrorism' statements won't do; it is time to use the hammer of Thor.
Misha, Varca
Crush terrorism
with an iron hand
Indian forces in the Kashmir valley have tasted a great deal of success over the years. Both homespun militancy and the external terrorism appeared to be on the wane. The much acclaimed "Operation Jackboot" conceptualised by National Security Advisor Ajit Doval had claimed its scalps in quick succession in the valley.
Elimination of dreaded terrorists like Burhan Wani, Abu Dujana, Abu Ismail and Riyaz Naikoo had dumbfounded the local terror groups and their Pakistani handlers. And, of course, abrogation of Article 370 and 35-A had infused comfort and confidence into peace--loving locals, and tourists who throng the valley all year.
The deadly terror strike that targeted tourists in the picturesque meadows of Baisaran near Pahalgam on Tuesday, therefore, has numbed the people of the state and the country. It is amply clear that the devilish and sick Pakistani based terror minds operating across the LoC were shocked by the peace that was prevalent across the valley.
Tourism footfall was at its peak and locals were reaping rich dividends through the profitable tourism and hospitality industry. How will the Centre react to the tense situation ?
Ganapathi Bhat, Akola