SRINAGAR: Peoples Conference Chairman and MLA Handwara, Sajad Gani Lone, on Tuesday described the Pahalgam terror attack—which claimed the lives of 27 tourists and a local resident—as the most severe assault on Kashmir’s identity in the past three decades.
Lone accompanied by a large number of party workers, led a protest march in Srinagar against the incident. Protesters raised slogans such as “Tourist hamari jaan hai, begunahoun ka qatl-e-aam bandh karo!” (Tourists are our life; stop the massacre of innocents!).
Speaking to the media, Lone said the attack struck at the core of Kashmir’s identity. “The people of Kashmir must understand this is the gravest assault on our land in 30 years. Tourists come here with trust—they stay in our hotels, travel in our vehicles, eat in our restaurants, and shop in our markets. If outsiders kill our guests at gunpoint, we cannot accept it. Today, Kashmir mourns with blood. These were our guests, our pride. The public outcry seen today must be our collective response,” he said.
Lone said that the people of Kashmir had sent a clear message—that violence against innocents would not be tolerated. “We cannot allow anyone, with or without weapons, to harm our guests—the very individuals who have supported our economy for decades. Hospitality defines us. During storms and disasters, we open our homes to strangers. What does this massacre say? Though the bloodshed was not ours, our people have stood up. Protests in every street and locality show that this must stop. Our guests are part of us—those who target them, target all of Kashmir.”
He condemned the attack as economic sabotage, accusing the perpetrators of attempting to reduce Kashmir to dependency. “Our faith is sacred—do not commit violence in its name. Our people risked their lives to protect others, which is a testament to our shared humanity. We are indebted to those like Syed Adil Hussain Shah, the pony-wala who was killed while attempting to disarm the attacker, and to those who carried the injured to safety. They represent the true spirit of Kashmir. Those responsible for this violence aim to paralyse our economy. We reject this path,” Lone said.
He continued, “This is our homeland. If outsiders attack our guests with guns, it brings us shame. Tourists are not separate from us. No outsider will decide our affairs. We will protect our guests, Insha’Allah.”
Responding to media speculation that the attack targeted Hindus to incite communal tensions, Lone said, “Was my father, Abdul Gani Lone, not a Muslim when he was martyred? Have they not killed thousands of Kashmiri Muslims? What faith do they claim to represent? Their victims have largely been Muslims—by my count, eight to ten thousand. Who are they trying to deceive?”
On the statement by the Pakistani Army Chief referring to Kashmir as Pakistan’s “jugular vein,” Lone remarked, “Pakistan struggles to manage itself—how can it claim our land? This is our soil. These guests are ours, and no harm shall come to them.”
Lone also confirmed he has received an invitation to attend the All Party meeting called by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, and that he will participate. (KNO)
