SRINAGAR: Widespread bandh calls have been announced across Jammu and Kashmir for Wednesday, April 23, following the brutal attack at Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam that claimed dozens of civilian lives—many of them tourists—and left several others critically injured.
The ruling Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) has extended its support to the bandh, joining the collective outcry against the Pahalgam terror attack. The JKNC issued a statement strongly condemning the incident and urging the people of Jammu and Kashmir to ensure the hartal—called by various religious, social, and trade bodies—is observed in full. “This is a moment for united grief and collective resistance against violence,” a tweet on the official X handle of the party reads.
The Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) Jammu, led by its president Arun Gupta, declared a complete Jammu Bandh, terming the attack “a barbaric assault on humanity.” Simultaneously, in the Valley, the Mutahida Majlis Ulema (MMU) and the Federation of Chambers of Industries Kashmir (FCIK) called for a Kashmir-wide shutdown to protest the killings and express solidarity with the bereaved families.
The shutdown has been called to condemn the attack on tourists in Pahalgam on Tuesday. Around 28 people have been killed in the attack and many are injured. The number is expected to go up.
The Special Police Forces and paramilitary units have been deployed across sensitive zones in both regions to ensure law and order during the shutdown.
CCI’s call has received widespread support from social, religious, and trade bodies, including the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal, both of which held protest marches in Jammu on Tuesday evening, raising slogans against terrorism and demanding decisive military action.
“This bandh is not just a protest—it is a call for unity against forces that want to disrupt our peace and tourism economy,” said CCI president Arun Gupta. He urged citizens and business owners to observe a complete closure on Wednesday “to honour the victims and demand swift justice.”
Meanwhile, in Kashmir, the MMU—a representative body of various Islamic scholars—described the attack as an act that “violates the teachings of Islam and universal human ethics.” Citing the Quranic verse, “Whoever kills an innocent soul…it is as if he had slain mankind entirely,” the organisation urged for a peaceful and dignified shutdown as a mark of collective mourning.
The FCIK, representing the Valley’s industrial sector, also extended full support to the bandh, announcing that all industrial units—organised and unorganised—will remain shut. “This is not just an attack on our visitors, but on the very soul and values of Kashmir,” said a statement issued by the federation.
Traders’ bodies, civil society groups, and bar associations across both regions have echoed support for the bandh, turning it into a rare show of united civilian grief and resistance across Jammu and Kashmir.
Kashmir Traders and Manufacturers Federation (KTMF) has strongly condemned the horrific and senseless killing of innocent tourists in the Kashmir Valley.
Peoples Conference (PC) President and MLA Handwara, Sajad Gani Lone supported the shutdown call by business and travel associations and silent protests across all villages and towns.
“I appeal to people of Kashmir to express their outrage in whatever form against the brutal killings in Pahalgam. I personally support a shutdown by business and travel associations and silent protests across all villages and towns,” Sajad wrote.
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President, Mehbooba Mufti in a post appealed to the people of Kashmir to unite in solidarity to support the shutdown call. “The Chamber & Bar Association Jammu has called for a complete shutdown tomorrow in protest against the horrific militant attack on tourists. I appeal all Kashmiris to unite in solidarity to support this bandh as a mark of respect for the innocent lives lost in the brutal assault in Pahalgam. This isn’t just an attack on a select few—it is an attack on all of us. We stand together in grief and outrage & strongly support this shutdown to condemn the massacre of innocents,” Mehbooba wrote.
KTMF has called for a Kashmir Bandh call tomorrow reflecting collective expression of grief and protest against this inhuman act. “We stand in solidarity with the bereaved families and reiterate the urgent need to preserve the sanctity and safety of our land. Let this bandh be a unified voice for peace, justice and the protection of all who visit and live in the valley.”
KTMF President Mohammad Yaseen Khan said, this inhuman act has deeply shocked and pained the entire business community and we express our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. “We strongly condemn the tragic killing of innocent tourists in Kashmir, an act that goes against the values of peace, hospitality and humanity that our region has always stood for,” he said.
Shops, markets, business establishments, and public transport services are expected to remain closed on Wednesday in adherence to the bandh call across Jammu and Kashmir.
