SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has said the recent Pahalgam massacre has severely set back years of hard-earned progress, both economically and diplomatically, thrusting Kashmir once again into the global spotlight.
In an exclusive interview with NDTV, Abdullah expressed deep anguish over the April 22 attack, in which 26 people were killed in the Baisaran meadow near Pahalgam. According to reports, the victims were targeted based on religious profiling — a chilling reminder of the fragile peace in the region.
“We find ourselves in a situation we never anticipated,” Abdullah said. “There has been bloodshed, suffering, turmoil… Everything seems to have changed, and yet, somehow, it feels like nothing has.”
He lamented that the attack has disrupted what should have been a season of growth and normalcy. “This time of year, Kashmir should have been bustling with tourists. Our economy was beginning to thrive again. Schools should have been open, airports busy with 50 to 60 flights a day,” he said. “Instead, the Valley stands deserted. Schools are shut. Airspace and airports have been closed.”
The chief minister’s remarks reflect the gravity of the situation and the deep psychological and political wounds inflicted by the massacre. His statement also serves as a stark reminder of how quickly violence can unravel years of reconciliation and progress.
