
Video: After Pahalgam, young voices from Kashmir
Play
We were too upset to eat dinner after hearing about the Pahalgam terror attack, said Yasmin Khan, a journalist with Awaz the Voice.
All the political parties and religious organisations in Kashmir condemned the attacks but unfortunately, India's television channels did not bring this news to the attention of the public, said Nasir Khuehami is the National Convenor of the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association.
In this episode of Karwan e Mohabbat's Yeh Daag Daag Ujala series on the state of the republic., writer and peace activist Harsh Mander speaks with Khuehami and Khan about the impact of the attack on their lives and those of their community.
As news of the terrorist attack in Pahalgam spread, reports emerged from several parts of the country of Kashmiri students, traders, and workers facing threats, harassment, and, in some cases, physical assaults.
Khuehami and Khan describe an atmosphere of fear, suspicion and isolation that has deepened in the wake of the violence. They also reflect on the role of mainstream media in amplifying hostility and hate, which they argue contributes to their marginalisation and recent attacks.
They share personal accounts of how Kashmiris mourned the terror attack and extended support to those affected, even as they came under intense scrutiny. They describe the emotional toll of being targeted, despite their clear expressions of solidarity.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Hans India
43 minutes ago
- Hans India
Pahalgam an attack on both insaniyat & Kashmiriyat: PM
Katra: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday accused Pakistan of targeting "insaniyat and Kashmiriyat" through the terror attack in Pahalgam, saying the assault was "orchestrated with the sinister intent of inciting communal riots in India and robbing the impoverished, tourism-dependent Kashmiris of their livelihood". Addressing a huge rally here after inaugurating the first direct train service to the Kashmir Valley, a project featuring the world's highest arched railway bridge over the Chenab River and India's first cable-stayed Anji bridge, the Prime Minister said "our neighbouring country stands against humanity, social harmony, and economic prosperity". "Not only that, it is also the enemy of poor people's 'rozi-roti' (bread and butter)," Modi said, as he reiterated that the April 22 Pahalgam attack was a stark example through which Pakistan "intended to incite communal violence in India and cripple the earnings of hardworking Kashmiris". Tourism not only generates jobs but also fosters unity among people, Modi said. This was the Prime Minister's first visit to Jammu and Kashmir after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives, and India's cross-border military action under Operation Sindoor that followed. After inaugurating the Chenab bridge, the Prime Minister walked on it holding the Tricolour high. He travelled in a rail engine coach to reach the spot. Modi said projects worth Rs 46,000 crore, which he launched, will accelerate development in Jammu and Kashmir, driving progress and prosperity. During the historic event in Katra, the base camp for pilgrims visiting the Vaishno Devi shrine, the Prime Minister condemned Pakistan's repeated attempts to disrupt progress in the region. "Our neighbouring country stands against humanity, social harmony, and economic prosperity. Not only that, it is also the enemy of poor's 'rozi-roti'. What happened on April 22 in Pahalgam was an example of that. Pakistan attacked 'Insaniyat and Kashmiriyat' in Pahalgam," he said. Modi pointed out that the deliberate attack on tourists was meant to sabotage the flourishing tourism industry in Jammu and Kashmir, which witnessed record visitor footfalls over the past few years. He said Pakistan's malicious intent directly impacted local workers, including pony rider operators, porters, guides, guest house owners and shopkeepers, aiming to destroy their livelihoods. The Prime Minister also praised the courage of young pony ride operator Adil Hussain Shah, who stood against terrorists but tragically lost his life in the Pahalgam terror attack while striving to support his family through honest labour. Recalling that exactly one month ago, on the intervening night of May 6-7, India executed Operation Sindoor to deliver a decisive blow to Pakistan-based terrorists, Modi said, "Whenever Pakistan hears the name Operation Sindoor, it will be reminded of its shameful defeat. "Pakistan's military and terror networks never anticipated India's bold move. Within minutes, terror infrastructure hundreds of kilometres inside their country that they had built over decades were reduced to ruins." Left in shock and frustration, Pakistan took out its anger on civilians in Poonch and other border districts where it bombed school going children, destroyed schools and hospitals, and attacked temples, mosques and gurdwaras with shelling, Modi said. But the countrymen stood with the victims of Pakistani shelling with full strength, he added.


Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
New rail link fulfils 50-year wait for people of Kashmir
The son of a former legislator who dreamed of connecting Kashmir to India's railway network five decades ago witnessed history unfold on Friday as Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) and flagged off the first Vande Bharat Express between Katra and Srinagar. Peer Jalaludin, a former Baramulla mayor and senior PDP leader, watched with emotion as the train that his father had envisioned more than 50 years ago finally became reality. 'My father was an assembly member from Baramulla from 1965 to 1971. He had raised this question in the then legislative assembly that Baramulla and Srinagar should get train connectivity with the rest of the country. That time it looked like an impossible thing,' said Jalaludin, now in his early 60s. The inauguration marks a watershed moment for the Kashmir Valley, providing all-weather connectivity that has eluded the region for decades. Political leaders across party lines, business communities, and residents have hailed the development as transformative. The 272-kilometre rail link, initiated in 1999 and declared a national project in 2002, features the world's highest railway arch bridge—the Chenab Bridge. The project encompasses 36 tunnels and 943 bridges, representing what the government described as 'India's boldest step yet in transforming connectivity in the Himalayas.' Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah termed Friday 'a landmark day' for the union territory. Former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti welcomed the launch, calling it 'a long-awaited step' that 'promises ease for commuters and boosts connectivity in our region.' The railway link is expected to significantly impact Kashmir's economy, particularly its fruit industry, which contributes 8% of the union territory's GDP. Bashir Ahmad Bashir of the Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers and Dealers Association described the connectivity as 'historic and transformative.' Indian Railways has already begun capitalising on the opportunity. The inaugural freight shipment—24 tonnes of fresh cherries—was dispatched from Kashmir via Katra to Mumbai on Saturday, reaching the destination in just 33 hours compared to the nearly one week it previously took by road. Dilip Kumar, executive director (Information & Publicity) of the Railway Board, said the railways aims to transport 'Kashmiri fruits, seasonal vegetables, handlooms, and handicrafts to boost the local economy.' Officials plan to reduce transportation costs by up to 75% and increase freight train frequencies. The ambitious project was completed in phases over nearly two decades. The first section, Jammu-Udhampur (55 km), was commissioned in April 2005. The Qazigund-Baramulla section (118 km) opened in three parts between 2008 and 2009. The technically challenging Banihal-Qazigund section, featuring the 11.215-km Pir Panjal tunnel, became operational in June 2013. Modi had previously inaugurated the Udhampur-Katra section on July 4, 2014, and the Banihal-Sangaldan section (48 km) in February last year. Two Vande Bharat trains will now operate between Katra and Srinagar from Saturday. Railway officials indicated plans to extend services to Jammu from one end and to Baramulla from the other, with frequency adjustments based on passenger response. Women entrepreneur Shazia Akthar called the railway connectivity 'the biggest gift from the Government of India,' predicting it could be 'a gamechanger' for tourism, handicrafts, and horticulture sectors. Shabir Ahmad, a senior government officer who boarded the inaugural train, said passengers 'couldn't hide their emotions' and 'all praised the country's leadership for accomplishing this great task despite many impediments.'


Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
Kashmiri man's death in Delhi: Parties seek probe
Amid allegations of foul play, the mysterious death of a Kashmir youth in Delhi earlier this week has triggered anger in the Valley with increasing demands from political parties for an impartial probe. Zubair Ahmad Bhat, 30, a resident of Ali Kadal in Srinagar, died in New Delhi under mysterious circumstances on Tuesday. His family has alleged that he had gone to Delhi for work and was assaulted in Delhi. People's Democratic Party leader Iltija Mufti alleged that Bhat was subjected to custodial torture by Delhi Police. 'Zubair Ahmed Bhat didn't die under mysterious circumstances. Let me bite the bullet & state the unpleasant truth. His family claims he was picked up by Delhi Police, questioned & thrashed with rods. This 30 year old man was the sole breadwinner for his mother & siblings. When will this pattern of snuffing out the lives of innocent Kashmiris purely on suspicion end? We demand answers & accountability. @DelhiPolice @JmuKmrPolice,' Mufti wrote on X. She also met the family and said that his family members showed her the texts he had sent before death. She said: 'They showed me his last message, which said the police caught him and took his Aadhaar card. He messaged his sister and wrote, 'The police caught me because I am Kashmiri. They took my Aadhaar card, and then they beat me with sticks. I am in a hotel. May God have mercy. His family says he left Jammu for Delhi. After reaching Delhi, the police at one of the stations, I think it was Lajpat Nagar, caught Zubair, took his Aadhaar card, and beat him. The next day, when he went back to collect his Aadhaar card, they beat him again. And when he returned home, he died' is what happened to Zubair.' Congress leader and AICC chairman of media and publicity, Pawan Khera sought response of Delhi Police regarding Bhat's death. 'In the capital city, a young Kashmiri dies under mysterious circumstances and not a word of it gets discussed in mainstream media? If you don't question the authorities, obviously the authorities won't give you answers. @DelhiPolice needs to respond to questions surrounding the death of Zubair Ahmad Bhat,' he said on X. National Conference spokesperson Imran Nabi Dar sought an impartial probe. 'In this age of technology & smart policing, I fail to understand how a death could be termed mysterious. Clear the air around the death of Zubair Ahmad in Delhi @DelhiPolice. We demand an impartial, time bound probe into the incident,' Dar said. Apni Party president Altaf Bukhari said that the J&K administration should take up the matter with Delhi authorities. 'It is now the responsibility of the J&K administration to take up this matter with the authorities in Delhi to ensure that the truth behind his tragic death is fully uncovered,' Bukhari said.