Aishwaria Sonavane
The tranquility of the meadows of Baisaran in Pahalgam, an exemplar of Kashmir’s touristic revival, was violently disrupted on April 22, when militants, in a targeted attack on tourists, killed at least 26 people, including foreign nationals, and wounded many others.
According to reports in the media, The Resistance Front (TRF), a shadow outfit of the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) headed by Hafiz Saeed, claimed responsibility for the attack. However, in a statement issued on April 25, TRF denied responsibility.
According to eyewitness accounts, at least four operatives, dressed in camouflage uniforms, targeted Hindu men and shot them dead. U.S.-made M4 carbines and AK-47 assault rifles were used in the attack.
In the days following the attack, business communities and religious organizations called for a Kashmir Bandh (shutdown), reflecting both despair and anger. The attack will have a devastating impact on Kashmir’s economy. Tourism is a crucial economic lifeline for the Kashmir valley, especially during summer. Reports suggest widespread cancellations of tourism bookings.
No comments:
Post a Comment