The brutal attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, on April 22, 2025, which claimed at least 28 lives and injured many others, was a calculated act of terrorism aimed at fracturing India’s communal harmony. This tragedy, striking at the heart of Kashmir’s tourism hub, demands that India’s youth reject divisive agendas and advocate for unity and substantive change. The assault not only shattered lives but also exposed the fragility of the government’s claims of normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir, revealing a persistent failure to address the region’s deep-seated issues.

Pahalgam’s bloodshed, following the June 2024 attack in Reasi that killed nine tourists, underscores the ongoing threat to Kashmir’s tourism-driven economy. The timing, coinciding with U.S. Vice-President J.D. Vance’s visit, amplifies global scrutiny, undermining New Delhi’s narrative of stability. The government’s response—marked by promises of justice and high-level visits—falls short of addressing the root causes.

Policies rooted in unilateral control and the marginalisation of Kashmir’s elected government have alienated locals and failed to extinguish terrorism. Restoring statehood and empowering elected representatives is critical, though immediate progress remains elusive.

Across the border, Pakistan’s military leadership, led by General Asim Munir, has been stoking anti-India sentiment. Munir’s recent invocation of Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s “Kashmir is our jugular vein” rhetoric, delivered alongside Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, reflects a desperate bid to distract from Pakistan’s spiralling domestic crises. These include political unrest tied to the incarceration of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, widespread disillusionment with leadership, and a growing exodus of talent, exemplified by figures like fashion designer Deepak Perwani, who openly critique Pakistan’s decline compared to India. The credibility of Pakistani passports and the flight of celebrities to foreign citizenship further highlight this discontent.

Pakistan’s military-intelligence complex, frustrated by the failure of its “thousand cuts” strategy, faces a transformed reality. India’s zero-tolerance stance on terrorism, coupled with a clear message to Kashmir’s secessionist groups, has diminished the “azadi” narrative since the revocation of Article 370 in 2019. Demands in the Valley now centre on statehood and governance, not independence or merger with Pakistan. Munir’s attempts to rally Islamic sentiment also ring hollow, given Pakistan’s history of internal violence against Muslims, from Balochistan to Waziristan.

India’s youth must rise above the provocation of terrorism and external rhetoric. The Pahalgam attack is a call to unite against division and demand a reevaluation of Kashmir’s governance. By championing inclusive policies and amplifying voices for peace, young Indians can help forge a future where Kashmir prospers as a beacon of harmony, not a battleground for violence.

  editorial, India, naked truth, pahalgam, pakistan