The deadly attack near Pahalgam in Indian-administered Kashmir on Tuesday, in which militants killed 26 people after segregating men from women and children, highlights a broader pattern of worsening violence and deep-rooted discontent in the region. While the attack is widely condemned, the incident also raises questions about the effectiveness of the Indian government’s current strategy in Jammu and Kashmir, particularly in the wake of sustained repression since the region’s autonomy was revoked in 2019.
The Human Rights Watch report paints a bleak picture of human rights and civil liberties in Jammu and Kashmir five years after the Indian government scrapped the region’s special constitutional status. Arbitrary detentions, enforced disappearances, and the use of counterterrorism laws such as the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act have created a climate of fear and silence. Journalists, human rights defenders, and political activists have been among the most frequent targets, often detained without trial or re-arrested despite court orders for release.
These measures, framed as efforts to combat terrorism and restore normalcy, have instead led to widespread alienation among Kashmiris. While Indian authorities cite reduced levels of militancy as evidence of success, recent surges in violence including attacks on both civilians and security forces suggest a more volatile undercurrent.
The Pahalgam attack, described as the worst in India in nearly two decades, occurred in an area popular with tourists. Gunmen dressed in traditional attire opened fire in multiple locations across the Baisaran Valley, asking victims to recite Islamic verses before executing them at close range. The calculated nature of the assault and the selective sparing of women and children indicate a chilling strategy designed to instill fear and provoke communal tensions.
While no justification exists for such acts of terror, the broader context cannot be ignored. Years of repression, denial of basic freedoms, and the lack of political engagement have left many in Kashmir feeling voiceless. A Kashmiri businessman quoted by Human Rights Watch likened the situation to a soda bottle waiting to burst. In such an environment, violence often becomes an outlet for deeply rooted grievances, particularly when democratic avenues are closed.
The Indian government’s emphasis on surface-level stability, marked by tourist inflows and nighttime markets, has not addressed the underlying tensions. The disconnect between appearances of peace and the lived reality of residents is stark. Regular internet shutdowns, heavy military presence, and restricted civic space have further eroded trust in the state.
The tragedy in Pahalgam serves as a grim reminder that security-focused governance in Kashmir has not brought long-term peace. Rather, it risks entrenching the cycle of violence. The continued use of laws that provide security forces near-total impunity, including the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, has prevented accountability and further alienated the local population.
Calls for a shift in policy are growing louder. Human Rights Watch and other observers urge the Indian government to restore civil liberties, ensure judicial oversight of detentions, and allow for peaceful political expression. These steps are not just moral imperatives but necessary conditions for sustainable peace.
To break the cycle of violence and repression, India must pursue a more inclusive and rights-based approach in Kashmir. This includes listening to local voices, upholding the rule of law, and creating pathways for political participation and redress. While militants bear sole responsibility for the killing of civilians, including tourists and local service providers, the Indian government bears the responsibility to create a context where such violence does not find fertile ground.
The events of this week underscore a hard truth. Repression breeds resentment, and resentment left unaddressed may explode into tragedy. Peace in Kashmir cannot be imposed by force alone. It must be built on justice, dialogue, and respect for the rights of all its people.