SRINAGAR: Lt Gen DS Hooda (Retd), the former General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Indian Army’s Northern Command, has said the recent terror attack in Pahalgam that left 26 people dead is undoubtedly horrific but unlikely to reverse the overall gains made in Jammu and Kashmir over the last five years. In an interview with The New Indian Express, Hooda stressed that the Valley’s trajectory of declining violence and rising tourism cannot be undone by one brutal act, though it may temporarily disrupt development and economic momentum.
Hooda, who oversaw the 2016 surgical strikes across the Line of Control (LoC) following the Uri attack, said the Pahalgam incident marked a serious challenge but should not be misread as a return to the Valley’s most turbulent years. “If people think that after this incident, terrorists will gain a foothold and law and order will break down, that’s not going to happen,” he said.
However, he cautioned that such incidents have a direct impact on the local economy, especially tourism, which had seen a significant boost in recent years. “Development work may slow down, and the Valley will see a decrease in tourists, hampering the local industry,” he said.
On Pakistan’s role, Hooda said the country’s longstanding objective of internationalising the Kashmir issue had found temporary traction due to the Pahalgam killings. But he was sceptical of any long-term diplomatic advantage accruing to Islamabad. “I don’t see Kashmir as an issue that commands as much attention as in the past,” he said.
The retired general highlighted the importance of seizing the positive response within Kashmir. “We saw locals, at multiple places, coming out condemning the killings and the J&K Assembly passing a resolution. My only thinking is to reinforce these sentiments. It requires better outreach, not harsh measures,” Hooda noted, calling on the government to focus on internal healing and confidence-building rather than aggressive posturing alone.
He urged New Delhi to complement its security response with economic support and trust-building. “The government must chip in to help the economy, which should send a message to the locals: look, here we are for you,” he said.
While acknowledging international expressions of support, Hooda struck a cautious note about the global appetite for escalation. “Yes, there is support for India, but nobody wants to see conflict begin,” he said, referencing remarks by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio as a call for restraint.
Asked about potential military retaliation, Hooda said the Indian government would ultimately have to take the call, but warned that Pakistan’s preparedness was likely far higher now than during previous Indian strikes. “Undoubtedly, the 2016 strike completely surprised Pakistan. So now there is better preparation on both sides,” he said, adding that any decision on action would require careful weighing of timing and consequences.
He described India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty as “a good step” and suggested that diplomatic and economic levers could be more sustainable forms of pressure on Pakistan. “We are on a growth path… let’s continue to put pressure.”
