Our Leader in Indian Newslink May 1, 2025 Digital Edition
Venkat Raman
Auckland, May 1, 2025
The pristine valley of Pahalgam, long celebrated for its serenity and breathtaking vistas, witnessed a horror beyond imagination on 22 April 2025. What should have remained an idyllic haven for tourists turned into a massacre, as armed terrorists descended upon Baisaran Valley, ruthlessly ending 26 innocent lives and leaving many more injured.
The nature of the attack, victims chosen based on their religious identity, has plunged the world into outrage. It is yet another reminder that terrorism knows no boundaries and that hatred, unchecked, can poison even the most peaceful corners of the Earth.
In India, grief has turned to fury. The attack is not merely an assault on civilians; it is a direct strike against the values of pluralism and tolerance that India holds dear. The targeted nature of the violence has exacerbated wounds that, for decades, have shaped the geopolitical conflict surrounding Kashmir. Once again, the world watches as tensions flare, as emotions surge, and as voices call for decisive action.
A Land of Beauty and Strife
Few places have been as tragically emblematic of historical conflict as Kashmir. Nestled in the Himalayas, its snow-capped peaks and verdant valleys have long been the subject of dispute between India and Pakistan. Since the partition of British India in 1947, the region has remained a source of deep contention, resulting in multiple wars and ceaseless border skirmishes. Each nation claims Kashmir as its own, yet the land has, for much of its recent history, borne the scars of perpetual unrest.
The first war over Kashmir erupted immediately after partition, leading to the establishment of the Line of Control (LoC). This de facto border has remained a focal point of military engagements. The wars of 1947, 1965, and 1999 further entrenched animosities, with each conflict leaving behind tales of devastation and heartbreak. While diplomatic efforts have sporadically sought resolution, a lasting peace remains elusive.
Against this backdrop, terrorism has found fertile ground. The Pahalgam attack is not an isolated incident but part of a broader pattern of violence that has made India a victim of terrorism. Â Extremist groups, fuelled by ideological agendas and external influences, have repeatedly exploited the unrest, turning Kashmir into a theatre of bloodshed. The civilians caught in the crossfire regardless of nationality or creed, are the true casualties of this unending strife.
Measured Action
The fury that now grips India and much of the international community is understandable.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced that his Cabinet has left the decision to resort to military strikes to the Indian Defence Force. Meanwhile, some sections of the Indian media have been crying War (!) with some anchors openly suggesting that air strikes should begin immediately. The Indian government has meanwhile taken several measures, discussed in another Leader below.
Some observers have said that history warns us that military reaction, especially since both India and Pakistan are nuclear powers, could lead to disastrous results. “If one tragedy begets another, the cycle of violence will only deepen, leaving future generations trapped in its wake,” they said.
What is needed now is a renewed commitment to peace, not a fragile, diplomatic facade, but a substantive, long-term endeavour. Military responses may address immediate threats, but they do not eradicate extremism at its root. The real battle against terrorism is fought in schools, in economic reforms, and ideological clarity. The forces that breed radicalisation poverty, alienation, and misinformation—must be tackled with the same vigour as armed threats.
A Global Responsibility
The tragedy of Pahalgam is not merely India’s burden. The international community must recognise that terrorism is a universal affliction, demanding a collective response. Stronger intelligence cooperation, economic aid to destabilised regions, and unwavering condemnation of extremist ideologies are imperative. Nations must stand together not only in mourning but in action.
Let the memory of those lost in Pahalgam be honoured, not through further bloodshed but through unwavering resolve for peace. Let this tragedy galvanise the world to reject terrorism in all its forms, to rise above division, and to pursue a future where conflict is not a foregone conclusion.
