Hours after the Pahalgam attack claimed 26 lives, mosques across Kashmir urged residents to observe a total shutdown on Wednesday as a mark of protest against “enemies of Islam and Kashmiriyat”, according to reports.
During the announcement, people were reportedly asked to make the Kashmir bandh a success and to express their sympathy with the martyrs of Baisaran and their families, a report by Jagran said.
Business establishments and travel trade bodies also announced a Kashmir Bandh on Wednesday.
The shutdown call has been jointly issued by the Chamber of Commerce and Industries Kashmir (CCIK), Jammu and Kashmir Hoteliers Club (JKHC), All Travel Associations, transporters, restaurant owners, and civil society groups.
Tariq Rashid Ghani, President of CCIK, said, “We have called for Kashmir Bandh on April 23, i.e., Wednesday, against this barbaric act of violence.” He emphasized the need for a collective response to condemn such atrocities and to stand in solidarity with the victims.
Leading English and Urdu dailies such as Greater Kashmir, Rising Kashmir, Kashmir Uzma, Aftab, and Taimeel Irshad set aside their usual formats in a symbolic act of solidarity with the victims, condemning the violence.
Several political parties and organisations backed the shutdown, including the National Conference (NC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Peoples’ Conference, and Apni Party.
Security has been heightened across the region. Armed forces were deployed at sensitive locations, tourist hubs, and key infrastructure points. Checkpoints were set up across the Valley.
Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday paid tribute to the deceased in Pahalgam on Wednesday. The mortal remains of the deceased will be sent to their homes today. An official list for body dispersal and their flight details was shared by officials.
The Resistance Front (TRF), a militant group linked to Pakistani terrorist Hafiz Saeed's Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), has claimed responsibility for the attack. In January 2023, the Government of India labelled TRF as a terrorist group under UAPA.
A massive search operation is also ongoing in the Baisaran area of Pahalgam to trace those responsible for the attack.
Catch full updates on the Pahalgam attack here.
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