Hakeem Yaseen demands strong action against perpetrators of Pahalgam terror attack

SRINAGAR: President of the Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Front (PDF) and former minister, Hakeem Muhammad Yaseen, has strongly condemned the brutal terror attack on innocent tourists in Pahalgam, terming it a heinous crime against humanity and a direct assault on the peaceful image of Jammu and Kashmir.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Hakeem Yaseen expressed deep sorrow over the loss of innocent lives and said the attack has shocked not just the people of Jammu and Kashmir but the entire nation. He said such acts of terror aim to derail peace, disrupt harmony, and create fear among the public, particularly targeting the tourism sector which is slowly reviving in the region.

He firmly stated that while condemning the attack is necessary, the real need of the hour is to identify and bring to justice the individuals and groups responsible for orchestrating such violence. “There is a pattern to these attacks. The government must investigate thoroughly and expose the real faces behind such acts. These perpetrators must face strict punishment under the law,” Hakeem said.

Referring to the growing trend of some people holding the entire Kashmiri community responsible for such incidents, Hakeem said, “It is totally unjustified and wrong to blame all Kashmiris for the actions of a few. Such narratives only serve to divide us further and create mistrust. It is the duty of every responsible citizen and political leader to stop this dangerous generalization.”

Hakeem Yaseen urged Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who is currently visiting Jammu and Kashmir, to ensure that security forces and intelligence agencies intensify their efforts to uncover the elements involved in this act of terrorism.

“The Home Minister must ensure that those who planned and executed the Pahalgam attack are traced and given exemplary punishment. It should act as a deterrent to anyone who thinks they can disturb peace with violence,” he said.

He also questioned the effectiveness of the government's claimed policy of “zero tolerance” against terrorism. “If there is indeed zero tolerance, then how are such attacks still taking place? There must be a serious introspection and investigation into lapses, both in intelligence and ground-level security. Without accountability, such policies lose their meaning, and it is the common people who continue to suffer the consequences,” Hakeem added.

The PDF president emphasized the need for a permanent and effective security policy in Jammu and Kashmir that ensures the protection of civilians, tourists, and public infrastructure.

“Temporary measures and reactive responses are not enough. We need a long-term security strategy that focuses on prevention, strong intelligence networks, and community engagement,” he said.

He also highlighted the broader impact such incidents have on the region’s economy and psyche. “Tourism is one of the few major industries we have. Attacks like these not only shatter lives but damage the fragile economic progress we are trying to make. They create fear and uncertainty among tourists and investors alike,” he noted.

Hakeem Yaseen concluded his statement by appealing for peace, unity, and collective action against violence. “There is no justification for the spilling of innocent blood. We must stand together, as one society, to root out violence and bring peace back to our land. The time for strong, decisive, and just action is now,” he said.