Black Wednesday: Kashmir newspapers' silent yet bold protest to Pahalgam terror attack

The rare and striking front pages bore bold headlines in white and red, amplifying the region’s collective grief and defiance in the face of terror.

In a poignant gesture of grief and defiance, several leading newspapers in Jammu and Kashmir published their front pages entirely in black on Wednesday, condemning the brutal terrorist attack in Pahalgam that claimed the lives of 28 people.

English and Urdu dailies - Greater Kashmir, Rising Kashmir, Kashmir Uzma, Aftab, and Taameel Irshad - joined in this symbolic gesture, expressing the deep sorrow and anguish felt across the Valley.

The rare and striking front pages bore bold headlines in white and red, amplifying the region’s collective grief and defiance in the face of terror.

Stay tuned for live updates on the key developments.

“Gruesome: Kashmir Gutted, Kashmiris Grieving,” declared Greater Kashmir in white over a black backdrop. A subheadline in red read: “26 killed in deadly terror attack in Pahalgam.”

The daily’s editorial, headlined "The massacre in the meadow – Protect Kashmir’s soul," condemned the massacre as an attack on not just lives but the very essence of Kashmir’s identity — its renowned hospitality, its tourism-driven economy, and its fragile peace.

“This heinous act is not merely an assault on innocent lives but a deliberate blow to Kashmir's identity and values… Kashmir’s soul stands in unequivocal condemnation,” the editorial read, calling for stronger intelligence coordination and community-driven vigilance.

Underlining the need for unity, the editorial urged all stakeholders - the government, security forces, civil society, and citizens - to come together to safeguard Kashmir’s future.

“Only through unwavering resolve can we protect our land’s future, ensuring that Pahalgam’s meadows echo with laughter, not gunfire,” it concluded.

Tuesday’s attack, one of the deadliest in the region in recent years, saw Lashkar-e-Taiba-linked terrorists target a group of tourists at the Baisaran meadows in Pahalgam.

The Resistance Front (TRF), a Lashkar offshoot, has claimed responsibility for the heinous act.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will chair a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) at 6 PM today, after Home Minister Amit Shah reviews the attack site in the morning.

Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister conducted a high-level security review at the Delhi airport immediately upon his return. He was briefed by National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, and Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra on the situation following the ghastly attack.

Meanwhile, Pakistan has distanced itself from the incident, asserting that it had "nothing to do" with the attack.