Javeed Burza, President of the Pahalgam Hotels and Owners Association, strongly condemned the horrific terrorist attack on April 22 in which 26 people—25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen—were killed in Baisaran meadow, Pahalgam. Speaking to media, Burza described the incident as a heartbreaking and shameful act that deeply impacts Kashmir’s tourism and peace.
“I condemn this inhuman act. Innocent people were killed, and this is not justified in any way. We are ashamed of such an incident,” said Burza, voicing the collective sorrow of the region’s hospitality sector.
Calling it a “setback” for the Kashmir Valley, Burza emphasized that the victims had no political or militant connections and had simply come to experience the beauty of the region. “These were innocent people… It is heartbreaking,” he said.
The attack, one of the deadliest in the region since the 2019 Pulwama bombing, drew nationwide outrage and prompted swift and serious diplomatic action from the Indian government. In a high-level Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India responded with a range of retaliatory measures against Pakistan, which it holds responsible for sponsoring cross-border terrorism.
Among the decisions made were the suspension of the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, the immediate shutdown of the Attari integrated checkpost, and the cancellation of all SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) visas for Pakistani nationals. Pakistani diplomatic personnel designated as Defence, Military, Naval, and Air Advisors in New Delhi were declared persona non grata and ordered to leave within a week.
India will also withdraw its own Defence, Navy, and Air Advisors from Islamabad, and reduce the strength of both High Commissions to 30 officials by May 1, 2025.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri outlined these measures in a press briefing, stating that India will not tolerate terrorism and will hold perpetrators and their sponsors accountable.
Meanwhile, security across Jammu and Kashmir remains on high alert, and operations continue to root out terrorist elements believed to be responsible for the Pahalgam attack.