Srinagar – May 12, 2025
Former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Omar Abdullah condemned the recent Pahalgam terror attack sternly, issuing a warning that such attacks pose the risk of giving Pakistan a strategic advantage in reviving and projecting its Kashmir narrative on a global level.
Addressing media persons in Srinagar, Abdullah was seriously concerned about the attack, which resulted in the deaths of several security personnel and civilians. He warned that apart from the immediate human loss, the attack would have serious diplomatic implications.
“Each time there is bloodshed in Kashmir, it becomes a weapon for Pakistan to take up the issue internationally, presenting the region as volatile and requiring international intervention,” Abdullah said. “The Pahalgam incident, unfortunately, is no exception.”
He condemned the central government for its “complacency” in managing security in sensitive areas, especially during peak tourist season. The former CM pointed out that such attacks not only put lives at risk but also undermine the perception of normalcy in the Valley—a perception New Delhi has struggled hard to create after the abrogation of Article 370.
Abdullah called on both central and state agencies to re-examine security procedures in the region and proactively ensure that such incidents are not repeated in the future.
“We cannot indulge in these failures. They undo years of hard work and give ammunition to those who want to internationalize the Kashmir question. India has to ensure that such attacks don’t become a habitual pretext for foreign interference,” he added.
The Pahalgam terror attack has precipitated stern reactions from across the political divide, with party leaders across the parties demanding unity and more effective counter-terror mechanism. Meanwhile, Pakistan has already come out in a statement, terming itself “concerned” with the situation in Kashmir—eliciting speculation whether Islamabad would capitalize on the tragedy to garner publicity at forums like the United Nations Human Rights Council.
Security personnel have initiated a manhunt for the perpetrators of the attack, and investigations are being carried out to establish the role of cross-border militant organizations.
While tensions continue to run high, Abdullah’s caution serves to highlight the larger consequences of violence in Kashmir—where each terror act has the potential to become a pawn in the grander game of geopolitics.