As the nation grapples with the horror of the Pahalgam terror attack, the coffins of innocent tourists killed in the incident were brought to Srinagar airport under tight security on Wednesday. The pain of the tragedy was palpable as state representatives arrived to coordinate the return of the deceased and stranded tourists.
This has been described as one of the worst attacks in Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, though the official casualty count is still awaited from the central government.
States Mobilise: Mourning and Logistical Support
Ministers from various states have flown in to provide ground support. Karnataka Minister Santosh Lad was present in Srinagar on behalf of the Siddaramaiah government, coordinating the return of citizens and handling support logistics.
Among the dead was Manjunath from Shivamogga, Karnataka. His maternal uncle Madhav Murthy shared the family’s heartbreak:
“His son had just scored 98% in exams—this trip was a reward. They were eating panipuri when terrorists fired. They told his wife and son: ‘Go and tell this to Modiji.’ It’s unbearable.”
Preparations for Manjunath’s funeral are underway in Shivamogga, as the family awaits the return of his mortal remains.
Flights Increased, Fare Monitoring Begins
With rising concerns over safety and transportation, Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu acted swiftly. He confirmed that four new Air India flights—two each to Delhi and Mumbai—have been arranged from Srinagar.
Naidu has also directed airlines not to spike fares and is closely monitoring the demand for additional evacuations. Tourists continue to depart the valley, with movement increasing at Srinagar airport.
Local Outrage, Community Grief, and Shutdowns
The attack has sparked outrage across the region, not just among victims’ families but within the local tourism community, whose livelihoods have been devastated.
Gulzar Ahmad Wani, president of the Pahalgam Taxi Association, made a heartfelt appeal:
“We don’t consider tourists as outsiders—they are like family. This attack has broken us. Pahalgam has always been peaceful. We demand justice.”
Protests and bandhs have broken out in Poonch, Jammu, and other districts, with slogans like “Pakistan Haye Haye!” and “Dehshatgardi Band Karo!” echoing through locked markets and deserted streets.
High Alert and Search Ops Intensify
Security has been ramped up significantly. Concertina wires, aerial surveillance, and ground operations by the Indian Army and J&K Police are underway in the Baisran area near Pahalgam. Choppers have been deployed for aerial monitoring, and the Delhi Police has been alerted to secure tourist spots.
National Leadership Responds
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, immediately upon landing from Saudi Arabia, convened a top-level security briefing with EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar, NSA Ajit Doval, and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri. The government is expected to issue a formal response once the security situation is stabilized and investigations progress.
As the nation mourns, many are calling for resolute action and unity, urging that innocent lives must not be lost in vain. The grief in homes from Nagpur to Kanpur, Shivamogga to Haryana, is a grim reminder of the cost of terrorism—and the collective responsibility to defeat it.