MUMBAI: Indian Muslims for Secular Democracy (IMSD), along with the Bebaak Collective, Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan (BMMA), Centre for Study of Society and Secularism (CSSS), Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP), and Wisdom Foundation, have strongly condemned the heinous terrorist attack targeting tourists near Pahalgam in the Kashmir Valley.
IMSD convenor Javed Anand, in a statement, said that Muslims join all fellow Indians in offering their heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of the deceased. He also called upon the central and state governments to ensure urgent and adequate compensation for the loss of precious lives and proper treatment for the injured.
According to some reports, The Resistance Front (TRF), a shadow group of the banned Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), has claimed responsibility for the strike.
“We hope that the perpetrators are swiftly apprehended, brought to justice, and handed severe punishments,” the statement said.
IMSD has consistently opposed the targeting of innocent civilians anywhere, irrespective of the justification offered for such savagery.
The terror attack strikes at the heart of the Valley’s tourism centre, Pahalgam, raising serious concerns about the so-called “return of normalcy.”
The latest mass killing raises disturbing questions about the failure of security agencies in providing adequate cover in and around Pahalgam—an obvious target for terrorist groups, Anand noted.
“We demand a thorough inquiry into this grievous security lapse, accountability for those responsible, and necessary corrective action,” the statement urged.
Meanwhile, amid this moment of grief and anguish, the statement highlighted the humanity displayed by average Kashmiri Muslims. On Wednesday (April 23), the entire Valley observed a complete bandh—shopkeepers, traders, and transporters all joined in. Reports have emerged from across Kashmir of mosques opening their doors to assist distraught tourists, along with widespread condemnations from religious leaders describing the attack as one on humanity itself.
Kashmiri newspapers, both editorially and visually, conveyed that this was a day of mourning for the lives lost. IMSD urged all media, especially television channels, to report developments objectively and avoid provocative coverage.
“We call upon all Indians, irrespective of religion, to emulate the fine example of communal harmony displayed by ordinary Kashmiri Muslims,” they urged.