India's Modi says perpetrators 'will not be spared' | DW News

Key Concepts:

• Terrorist attack on tourists in Indian-controlled Kashmir
• Impact on tourism and local economy
• India-Pakistan relations and Kashmir dispute
• Demographic changes in Kashmir after the removal of special status
• Allegations of Pakistani involvement
• Local Kashmiri reactions to the attack

Attack Details and Casualties:

• Gunmen killed at least 26 tourists in Pahelgam, a resort town in Indian-controlled Kashmir.
• 17 others were injured, some critically.
• The attack occurred in the Baisar Valley, a popular sightseeing destination.
• Multiple gunmen fired at tourists from close range.

Government Response and Condemnation:

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowed to bring the assailants to justice and cut short his trip to Saudi Arabia.
• US President Donald Trump condemned the attack and offered full support to India against terrorism.
• Security has been strengthened in Indian-controlled Kashmir.

Historical Context and Political Implications:

• Rebels in the Muslim-majority region have been waging an insurgency for decades.
• India and Pakistan both claim the region, leading to a long-standing conflict.
• Tensions have been simmering since Delhi ended Kashmir's semi-autonomous status in 2019, curbing media freedom and civil liberties.
• The attack marks a significant shift in the regional conflict, as tourists have largely been spared from violence in the past.

Responsibility Claim and Allegations:

• A lesser-known group called Kashmir Resistance claimed responsibility for the attack, stating it was a response to demographic changes after the removal of Kashmir's special status, which opened up land buying and settling for non-Kashmiris.
• Political commentators and defense experts are holding the Pakistani army responsible, citing a recent statement by the Pakistani army chief regarding Kashmir being Pakistan's "jugular vein."
• The attack is seen by some as a provocation and a dent in the Indian government's narrative that things are returning to normal in Kashmir.

Local Reactions and Impact on Tourism:

• Local Kashmiris are shocked and taken aback by the attack.
• Tourism is a main source of income for many locals in Kashmir.
• Locals view the attack as an attack on their own identity, which is tied to hospitality.
• A local shopkeeper stated that the attack violated the trust between Kashmiris and tourists, making it difficult to rebuild.
• Candlelight marches were held by locals in Pahelgam to condemn the attack and extend solidarity to the victims.
• Protests have broken out in the Jammu region, which has been put on high alert.

DW Correspondent Adil Bat's Analysis:

• The attack happened in the Palagan region in south Kashmir, a popular tourist destination.
• This is one of the most serious attacks on civilians in the last 30 years.
• Experts say it's a targeted attack on Indian tourists, breaking the unwritten rule among militant groups that tourists will not be targeted.
• The attack occurred during a high-profile visit by American president JD van, similar to an attack during former President Bill Clinton's visit in 2000.

Notable Quotes:

• Local shopkeeper: "This attack actually violated the trust between Kashmiris and tourists and that it it's going to be very difficult to build that trust again."
• Umar Abdullah (Country Minister): called the attackers animals and inhuman.
• Pakistani army chief (implied): Kashmir is the "jugular vein of Pakistan" and they will extend all support to the Kashmiri brothers in what he calls you know a heroic struggle.

Technical Terms and Concepts:

• Indian-controlled Kashmir: The portion of the Kashmir region administered by India.
• Insurgency: An armed rebellion against a constituted authority.
• Semi-autonomous status: The special status previously granted to Kashmir under Article 370 of the Indian Constitution, which was revoked in 2019.
• Demographic change: Alterations in the composition of a population, in this case, referring to the settlement of non-Kashmiris in the region.
• Jugular vein: A metaphor used by the Pakistani army chief to emphasize the importance of Kashmir to Pakistan.

Synthesis/Conclusion:

The terrorist attack on tourists in Indian-controlled Kashmir represents a significant escalation in the regional conflict, breaking a long-standing understanding that tourists would not be targeted. The attack has severe implications for the local economy, particularly the tourism sector, and has shaken the trust between locals and tourists. The incident has also reignited tensions between India and Pakistan, with allegations of Pakistani involvement. The attack is likely to further destabilize the region and complicate efforts to achieve lasting peace.