Srinagar: PDP leader Iltija Mufti on Sunday expressed deep concern over the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, which she said has “crippled” the local economy by halting tourism—considered the economic backbone of Jammu and Kashmir. Mufti urged the Central Government to arrest the masterminds behind the attack at the earliest and introduce confidence-building measures to reassure the region’s residents and tourists.
“Whatever happened in Pahalgam is completely condemnable, it was a dastardly attack… Tourism has stopped in Pahalgam, the economy of Jammu and Kashmir has crippled… Because tourism is the backbone of our economy, I appeal to the government to arrest those who carried out this attack as soon as possible, and do some confidence-building measures with the people here,” Mufti told reporters.
Her remarks came shortly after the National Investigation Agency (NIA) confirmed the arrest of two suspects—Parvaiz Ahmad Jothar and Bashir Ahmad Jothar— accused of harbouring terrorists responsible for the April 22 terror strike in Pahalgam.
Criticism of India’s Stand on West Asia Crisis
Separately, Mufti also slammed both the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Indian Government for their silence on the escalating tensions in West Asia, particularly following the US strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities and the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran.
“It’s very sad, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has been silent. But India has always taken a pro-Palestine stand. Iran also stands for the Palestinian people. America attacked Iran, and it’s highly unfortunate. But, the more saddening thing is that India is also not taking the stand that it should, after all, Iran stands for the Palestinian people,” she stated.
Mufti emphasised that India’s traditional diplomatic stance in support of Palestinian rights seems to be weakening at a crucial time when the region is witnessing unprecedented escalation.
Background on the West Asia Crisis
In the early hours of Sunday, the Israeli Air Force (IAF) launched fresh airstrikes on military targets in western Iran, in retaliation for recent Iranian missile attacks that injured civilians in Tel Aviv, Haifa, and other Israeli cities. Israel’s military confirmed the neutralisation of missile launchers and Iranian forces preparing attacks on Israeli territory.
This development followed the US and Israel’s joint strikes on Iran’s key nuclear sites at Natanz, Isfahan, and Fordow on Saturday night. The US used B-2 bombers and bunker-buster bombs to hit Fordow—one of Iran’s main uranium enrichment facilities.
US President Donald Trump, in his address from the White House, warned Iran of “tragedy far greater” if Tehran does not agree to a peace settlement. He also hinted at the possibility of future strikes if necessary.
As the crisis deepens, concerns are growing in India over the safety of millions of its nationals living in the Gulf and potential impacts on its energy and trade interests in the region.
Meanwhile, tension in Kashmir remains high in the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack, with the tourism sector—the state’s primary economic driver—facing immediate setbacks.