Dal Lake Falls Silent
Just two days ago, the Dal Lake shimmered with life—its waters dotted with shikaras ferrying excited tourists soaking in the unmatched beauty of Kashmir. Pahalgam buzzed with the rhythm of footsteps and laughter, hotel bookings overflowed, and the Valley seemed to be reclaiming its place on the global tourism map. But in less than 48 hours, that dream has been violently interrupted.
Dal Lake Falls Silent
A brutal terror attack in Pahalgam has shaken the Valley to its core, claiming 26 lives—25 of them tourists—and plunging the region into fear and mourning. The incident has triggered a mass exodus: Srinagar-bound flights fly nearly empty while outbound ones are packed with tourists desperate to leave. The once-vibrant Dal Lake is now eerily deserted. Shikaras, until recently in constant motion, now lie still in quiet rows—a painful metaphor for a dream deferred.
Dal Lake Falls Silent
This attack, striking at the very heart of Kashmir’s recovering tourism sector, has left locals devastated. For the first time in 35 years, the Valley witnessed a complete shutdown—shops, markets, and businesses closed in solidarity and sorrow. Loudspeakers from mosques called for unity, urging residents to protest the violence and stand by the victims.
Dal Lake Falls Silent
Across Pahalgam and Srinagar, protests swept through the streets. Shopkeepers, hoteliers, and artisans marched together, chanting slogans like “Hindustan Zindabad” and “I am Indian”. Their grief was palpable, their anger unmistakable.
“We hang our heads in shame,” said Asif Burza, a hotelier offering free shelter for stranded tourists. “This isn’t about tourism or money. What was their fault? They came to see our home.”
Dal Lake Falls Silent
Renowned Jamawar artist and Padma Shri awardee Ghulam Rasool Khan echoed the collective anguish. “Tourism is our lifeline. These attacks hurt all of us,” he told NDTV. “Security forces must find those who spoil our peace. Otherwise, things go quiet… until it happens again.”
Dal Lake Falls Silent
In a rare show of unity, Kashmiris sent a clear message: the people stand against terror. Residents pledged full support to the Army in tracking down the perpetrators. “We are ready to help. We are human beings first. Our hearts ache,” said one protester.
The Valley’s voice is loud, clear, and resolute: this land belongs to peace, not terror. And its people, now more than ever, are determined to reclaim that peace—together.
