New Delhi (India) : Former separatist leader Bilal Lone has strongly condemned the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, which took the lives of 26 people, and distanced the local Kashmiri Muslim community from the attackers. Speaking in the aftermath of the attack, Lone made it clear that terrorists do not represent the values or beliefs of the majority of Kashmiri Muslims and called for a decisive response to terrorism.
In an interview with ANI, Lone emphasized that the attackers are not representatives of the people of Kashmir, stating, “Terrorists are not our ambassadors, they are not our prophets. They don’t represent the psyche of the majority of Muslims. The ones who gave them shelter must face the consequences. If someone consumes poison, they will die.”
Lone condemned the role of foreign elements in the violence but also praised the local Kashmiri community for their actions during the crisis. He recounted the events of April 22, when local residents, like a young man named Nazeer, risked their lives to evacuate civilians from Baisaran meadow, a popular tourist destination in Pahalgam, during the attack. Despite the dangers, these local heroes acted without seeking recognition.
“For two and a half hours, the entire incident took place. But who brought them down? The local Kashmiri population. We don’t want medals. Every society does what we did,” Lone said. He further criticized the media’s narrative of religious divides, particularly the portrayal of the “Hindu-Muslim” divide, which he described as harmful and unfairly targeting Kashmiri Muslims.
Lone also addressed the ongoing struggles faced by Kashmiris, particularly in terms of misrepresentation and communal stereotyping. He spoke about the emotional toll of violence, sharing his own personal losses, including the death of his father. He stressed that “nobody celebrates death,” highlighting the pain that all Kashmiris feel, irrespective of their political or religious affiliations.
Reiterating his condemnation of the perpetrators, Lone stated, “The boys who did that are not among us.” He called for a firm response against those who support such violence but urged that not all Kashmiris should be blamed for the actions of a few. “If someone poisons themselves, they must face the consequences–but don’t blame the whole community.”
Lone further criticized the failure of Kashmir’s security and intelligence systems, which he said allowed violent elements to operate unchecked. “The system has become so weak that they’ve left the jungle area open. It’s unfortunate, and you can see it too. I agree that intel is a failure,” he said, stressing the need for better security measures.
He also spoke out against the rising tide of extremism, positioning himself as a moderate voice in the region. “Kashmir has fought a lot. Ultimately, it has come to the conclusion within the system that we have to live together. Let it live. The day Kashmir spreads extremism, I will die first,” Lone said, rejecting both extremist views and labeling from the political mainstream. “We are not extremists. We are very good Muslims. Whenever there is an issue of extremism, people like us are there.”
Lone’s remarks come in the wake of the Pahalgam attack and the ongoing national debate surrounding Kashmir’s security and its relationship with Pakistan. The Indian government has taken strong actions against Pakistan, condemning its role in cross-border terrorism, and has vowed to ensure the strict punishment of those involved in the Pahalgam attack.
As Kashmir faces continued uncertainty, Bilal Lone’s comments call for a balanced approach to the region’s challenges, advocating for peace, dialogue, and an end to the narrative of division.