Srinagar, April 22: Senior BJP leader and Jammu & Kashmir party spokesperson Altaf Thakur on Monday issued a strong condemnation of the terror attack in Pahalgam, where five tourists were injured in a cowardly act of violence. Thakur said the attack was not just an act of terror against innocent visitors, but a deliberate attempt to cripple the economic backbone of the Valley.
“This is not merely an assault on tourists — it’s an assault on Kashmir’s economy,” Thakur said in a statement. “Terrorists, frustrated by the growing peace and normalcy in the region, want to send a message of fear and instability. But their real target is the livelihood of the common Kashmiri.”
He added that thousands of local families depend on tourism for survival — including pony-walas, cab drivers, hotel and guesthouse owners, shopkeepers, and guides. “Today’s attack is on the dreams of our youth, the earnings of hardworking families, and the future of our economy. It is an attack on every Kashmiri striving for peace and prosperity.”
Thakur also accused Pakistan of fuelling terrorism in the region out of frustration. “Pakistan and its proxies are unable to digest the return of peace and tourism in Jammu and Kashmir. They want to stifle growth and plunge the region back into fear. But we won’t allow that to happen.”
Calling for unity among all communities, Thakur urged the administration to act swiftly in bringing the perpetrators to justice. He also appealed to locals to remain vigilant and support security forces in maintaining peace, especially in tourist areas that symbolise Kashmir’s revival.
“The Valley is rising again — this attack is a desperate attempt to pull us back. But we will not be cowed. Kashmir belongs to its people, not to terrorists,” he concluded.
