Kashmiri Muslim's Heroic Act Amid Pahalgam Terror Attack Sparks Debate on Kashmiriyat
April 23, 2025, Srinagar — A devastating terror attack in the serene Baisaran meadows of Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22, 2025, has left the nation reeling, with at least 28 tourists killed and several others injured. Amid the tragedy, a story of compassion has emerged, highlighting the enduring spirit of Kashmiriyat, even as the attack reignites debates over sectarian violence in the region.
The attack, claimed by The Resistance Front (TRF), an offshoot of the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba, targeted tourists in a brutal assault that saw militants checking victims' religious identities before opening fire. Official sources report that the majority of the deceased were Hindu tourists, with the TRF alleging the attack was in protest of "demographic changes" in Kashmir following the issuance of over 85,000 domiciles to non-locals since 2019, as per a statement circulating on social media. The Indian government has yet to confirm the exact casualty figures, but local reports suggest the death toll could rise due to the critical condition of some survivors.
In the aftermath, a Kashmiri Muslim man has been hailed for his bravery after he rushed to aid the injured, ferrying them to hospitals without regard for their religious identities. Md. Arman, a local activist, shared the story on X, stating, “A Kashmiri Muslim man helped all those people who were injured in the attack and took them to the hospital. While helping, he did not ask anyone's name and religion. This is Kashmiriyat, this is Islam!” The post included images of the chaotic scene at Baisaran meadow, showing victims lying on the grass, some covered in blankets, as the community grappled with the immediate aftermath.
The act of selflessness has sparked a broader conversation about Kashmiriyat, a centuries-old tradition of communal harmony in the Kashmir Valley where religious differences are often set aside during crises. Historically, this syncretic culture enabled peaceful coexistence between Kashmiri Pandits (Hindus) and Muslims, as noted in accounts of the region’s history, with figures like King Zain-ul-Abidin promoting a collective identity (EFSAS). However, the attack itself underscores the challenges to this ethos, as the militants’ targeting of Hindus echoes past waves of violence, such as the 1990 exodus of Kashmiri Pandits, when 90,000–100,000 Hindus fled the Valley amid rising insurgency (Wikipedia).
The incident has drawn sharp reactions. Indian authorities, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, have condemned the attack, with Shah arriving in Srinagar for an urgent security review. Modi cut short his visit to Saudi Arabia, while Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also returned early from the U.S. and Peru to address the crisis, according to The Hindu. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed grief over the loss of residents from their states among the victims, with Stalin calling the attack “barbaric.”
The TRF, banned under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in 2023, has been linked to a surge in attacks since the revocation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status in 2019. According to a 2022 Jammu and Kashmir Police report, 108 of 172 terrorists killed that year were affiliated with the TRF, which often targets minorities to destabilize the region’s secular fabric (Business Today). The group’s stated goal of resisting “local oppression” contrasts with its violent methods, which have disproportionately harmed civilians.
As the nation mourns, the Pahalgam attack has reignited calls for justice and a reevaluation of security measures in the Valley. Public figures, including cricketer Gautam Gambhir and U.S. Senator JD Vance, who recently visited India, expressed solidarity with the victims. Yet, the incident also lays bare the deep-seated tensions in Kashmir, where the ideals of Kashmiriyat are increasingly tested by the realities of militancy and religious extremism. For now, the Kashmiri man’s act of humanity stands as a poignant reminder of the region’s complex history—and its fragile hope for peace.
