On April 22, 2025, a devastating terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir, claimed the lives of 26 civilians, predominantly Hindu tourists, in Baisaran Valley. The attack, attributed by Indian authorities to The Resistance Front (TRF), a group linked to Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), has reignited long-standing tensions between India and Pakistan, both of whom claim the region in full but administer it in part. The incident has sparked a series of retaliatory actions, with India launching "Operation Sindoor" on May 7, targeting alleged terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir, leading to 31 reported deaths on the Pakistani side and 16 civilian casualties in Indian-administered Kashmir due to Pakistani counterattacks.
Recent Indian media reports, including those from NewsX and Firstpost, claim that Indian security forces killed two or three members of the armed opposition, labeled as terrorists, in a high-altitude forest near Srinagar. However, Pakistan has consistently denied involvement in the Pahalgam attack, with its Defense Minister Khawaja Asif calling it a potential "false flag operation" and offering cooperation in a neutral investigation, a proposal India rejected. The lack of conclusive evidence prior to India's military strikes has fueled skepticism among analysts and locals, with some questioning the narrative surrounding the attack.
Local Sentiments: A Call for Sovereignty
The people of Jammu and Kashmir, on both sides of the Line of Control (LoC), that is from AksiChin to Mangla and from Lakhanpur to Hunza express growing frustration with the ongoing conflict. Many locals yearn for a return to the pre-1947 era when Jammu and Kashmir was a princely state with greater autonomy. "We are tired of being pawns in this endless India-Pakistan rivalry," said Umar Nazir Tibetbaqan, a Srinagar resident, during a protest following the Pahalgam attack. Similar sentiments echo in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, where residents like Ayesha Khan from Muzaffarabad lament, "Our land is a battleground for two neighbour states, but our voices for self-determination are ignored."
The revocation of Jammu and Kashmir's special status by India in 2019, followed by increased militarization, has deepened local discontent which continuity from 1953 when India toppled the elected government of Prime Minister Sheikh Muhammad Abdulah under the pretext that he was planning to declared Independence with the help of the USA.
The recent attack and subsequent military escalations have further eroded trust in both governments. PDP president Mehbooba Mufti, from India Administer J&K have urged India to avoid alienating civilians during anti-terror operations, while the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly passed a resolution on April 28 condemning the attack but emphasizing communal harmony.
Escalation Risks and the Path to Peace
The Pahalgam attack and subsequent military actions have heightened fears of a broader conflict between the nuclear-armed neighbours, who have fought three wars over Kashmir since 1947. The suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty by India, closure of the Attari-Wagah border, and mutual expulsion of diplomats signal a dangerous spiral. Pakistan's reported missile tests and ceasefire violations along the LoC, met with Indian counter-strikes, have kept the region on edge. Analysts like Michael Kugelman warn that public pressure in India for a strong response could lead to further military action, risking escalation if either side miscalculates.
Despite the tensions, there are glimmers of hope for de-escalation. A ceasefire was agreed upon on May 10, 2025, though both sides have accused each other of violations. International actors, including the United States, Saudi Arabia, and China, have called for restraint, with the U.S. urging both countries to combat terrorism while avoiding escalation. Iran's offer to mediate and a coalition of Pakistani actors advocating for peace talks reflect a broader desire to prevent a full-scale conflict.
For the people of Jammu and Kashmir, the path to peace lies in addressing their aspirations. India and Pakistan must agree and cooperate with each other to allow people of the divide Jammu and Kashmir to elect their representatives who need first to agree themselves to formulate the future constitution then to obtained consent on the subject draft constitution from India, Pakistan and China. The subject document put before the people for final vote to approve it or to reject it.
This is the only way that all parties would converged on common ground a win win for all - a path for peace and stability in the region.
This would address the question of self-determination, a demand rooted in the unfulfilled UN resolution of 1948 calling for a reference to the people. "We want a solution that respects our history and identity, not one dictated by New Delhi or Islamabad," said a community leader in Anantnag. Restoring trust requires both countries to change the format of engagement that is to resolve all differences in friendship and cooperation rather taking the route of animosity, confrontation and wars. It is important that a transparent dialogue, keeping the welfare of the people of India and Pakistan and to prioritize the welfare of Kashmiris over geopolitical rivalries.
Conclusion
The Pahalgam attack has exposed the fragility of peace in Jammu and Kashmir, amplifying local demands for democratic solution while pushing India and Pakistan toward potential conflict. While military posturing continues, the international community and regional voices emphasize de-escalation and dialogue. For lasting peace, both countries must move beyond accusations and work cooperatively, ensuring that the people of Jammu and Kashmir are central to any resolution. Only through friendship and mutual respect can the cycle of violence be broken, allowing the region to reclaim its aspirations by expressing their democratic will satisfying all diversities that is from AksiChin to Mangla and Lakhanpur to Hunza.
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