Kashmir valley observed a shutdown on Wednesday, as various organisations from all walks of life supported the call to protest the terror attack that took place in Pahalgam on Tuesday.
The attack, which targeted a popular tourist location, claimed the lives of at least 26 people, mostly tourists, and left several others injured.
The shutdown, observed across the valley, saw most shops, fuel stations, and business establishments closed in Srinagar. Only shops dealing in essential commodities remained open.
Public transport was scarce, although private vehicles continued to operate normally. Private schools were shut, while government schools remained open. The impact of the shutdown extended to other district headquarters in the valley as well.
Protests erupted in various parts of Kashmir, with demonstrators denouncing the attack and calling for an end to the killing of innocent people. Political parties, socio-religious organisations, trade bodies, and civil society groups backed the shutdown. The ruling National Conference (NC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Peoples' Conference, and Apni Party, among other political outfits, supported the shutdown as a means of protesting the attack in Baisaran meadows, located in the Pahalgam resort in Anantnag district.
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, the chairman of the Hurriyat Conference and head of the Mutahida Majlis Ulema (MMU), appealed to the people of Jammu and Kashmir to peacefully protest the heinous crime by observing a shutdown. “The Islamic fraternity of Jammu and Kashmir through Mutahida Majlis Ulema (MMU) in support and solidarity with the bereaved families of those killed appeal to people of Jammu Kashmir to peacefully protest this heinous crime tomorrow by a shutdown,” said Mirwaiz.
The shutdown was also supported by Kashmir’s trade and tourism bodies, including the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industries and the Kashmir Traders and Manufacturers Federation. In a show of solidarity with the victims and their families, the Private Schools’ Association of Jammu and Kashmir (PSAJK) announced the closure of all private schools across the region. Kashmir University also postponed all examinations scheduled for Wednesday.
To ensure security, a heavy police presence was established across the valley, particularly around key tourist spots, vital installations, and entry and exit points. Several checkpoints were set up in Srinagar and other districts, with security forces conducting vehicle checks and frisking at various locations. Special vigilance was maintained at famous tourist spots to ensure public safety.
A massive search operation was launched in Baisaran, Pahalgam, to track down the perpetrators of the attack. Additional forces were deployed at the tourist resort the day after the attack. The ongoing investigation aims to bring the terrorists to justice.
The Kashmir Traders and Manufacturers Association condemned the attack and declared a complete shutdown. Bashir Ahmad Kongposh, General Secretary of the association, emphasized, “Islam doesn’t allow such things where people get killed. It is the death of humanity... We are really against these acts... We want to keep these acts away from the region.” Similarly, business communities in Poonch held protests in response to the attack.
Tourists in the region, such as Ankit Maheshwari from Rajasthan, expressed their shock at witnessing such a shutdown. “It is very sad. This should not happen, as it is a very beautiful place,” he said, highlighting how rare such a shutdown is in Kashmir. Ashiq Hussain, a local resident of Srinagar, referred to the attack as the “murder of humanity” and questioned why such incidents continue to occur, damaging the region's reputation. “Our name is being tarnished by this situation,” Hussain added.
Political leaders from various parties, including the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the Jammu-Kashmir Students Association (JKSA), have expressed solidarity with the victims' families and supported the shutdown. The JKNC, in a social media post, urged the people of Jammu and Kashmir to ensure the success of the bandh and join in condemning the attack. PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti called the attack an “assault on all of us.”
The All Parties Hurriyat Conference, led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, also supported the shutdown and called on the people to peacefully protest the “heinous crime.” The Indian Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police are continuing their search operations in the Pahalgam area, focusing on the Baisran region, in hopes of capturing those responsible for the attack.
The terror attack in Pahalgam has left the region in mourning, with residents and visitors alike denouncing the violence and showing solidarity with the victims' families. Security forces remain on high alert, working diligently to ensure the safety of citizens and visitors in Kashmir.
