Srinagar, May 12 : Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has termed the recent militant attack in Pahalgam a serious blow to the union territory’s hard-earned peace, saying it has not only sparked fresh instability but also weakened India’s diplomatic position on Kashmir.
In a conversation with News Channel, Omar Abdullah said the violence has reversed years of steady progress, plunging the region back into uncertainty and fear. “We’ve returned to a space of bloodshed and turmoil. So much has changed on the ground, and yet, the root issues seem unresolved,” he said.
Highlighting Pakistan’s role in the aftermath, the Chief Minister said Islamabad had successfully used the incident to once again “internationalise” the Kashmir issue, undermining New Delhi’s consistent stance that it remains a bilateral matter. “They have done this deliberately, and unfortunately, they’ve succeeded in putting Kashmir back on the global agenda,” Abdullah noted.
He added that the ripple effect of the Pahalgam attack has been felt across the valley. “Tourism has stalled. Markets are deserted. The Valley has emptied in the days following the attack,” Abdullah said, calling it a setback to the peace process and public confidence.
The Pahalgam incident, which left 26 people dead, marked one of the deadliest militant attacks in recent years and has intensified security concerns and cross-border tensions. (CNS)
