On April 22, 2025, a terrorist attack in Baisaran Valley near Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, killed 26 people and injured over 20. Militants from Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) targeted tourists, focusing on Hindu men, and segregated victims by religion, forcing some to recite Islamic verses before executing them. The group “The Resistance Front” initially claimed responsibility, citing opposition to demographic changes from the 2019 revocation of Article 370 of the Indian constitution, but later retracted the statement due to a communication error.
According to the conversation I had with a local resident of Kashmir on April 25, 2025, this attack has deepened the fear and distrust among the local community.
Focusing on the everyday life of the people in Jammu and Kashmir, the foremost reality is their struggle for basic survival. For most locals, their only source of income comes from selling goods and services to tourists. However, the recent terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22, 2025, has abruptly ended a season filled with hope, dealing a severe blow to their already fragile economy. Electricity, previously available for only three hours a day, has been completely cut off since the incident. Internet connectivity is painfully slow, making it incredibly difficult for students to study and for others to complete official work.
Adding to their hardships, locals often face baseless allegations and are subjected to random inspections by the Indian Armed Forces, making them feel constantly under suspicion in their own land.[1]
Due to the lack of basic resources and opportunities, many Kashmiris are forced to migrate to other parts of the country in pursuit of education and skill development. Yet even there, they often encounter discrimination and are wrongly perceived as being linked to terrorism.[2]
Many in Kashmir believe that the Indian government’s interest lies more in the region’s land than in its people, due to its significant contribution to the national GDP through its world-renowned apple orchards, high-quality saffron, and Kashmiri wool. For them, it often feels like their identity is overshadowed by political and economic agendas. Some Muslim groups argue that Indian state policies, security crackdowns, and certain new laws (after Article 370 abrogation) are designed to suppress Muslim identity. It is an attempt by India’s Premier Minister Narendra Modi to weaken Muslim political power. Since, the abrogation of Article 370, Jammu and Kashmir has experienced systematic exclusion across political, economic, social, and legal spheres. Politically, Jammu and Kashmir has lacked an elected Assembly for years, and the recent delimitation has shifted power toward Jammu, heightening fears of Muslim marginalization. Economically, despite promises of investment, unemployment remains high, and the removal of land protections has triggered anxiety over local resources. Socially, unfamiliar cultural narratives and a heavy military presence have deepened feelings of alienation. Legally, harsh laws like the Public Safety Act and constant surveillance have severely restricted civil liberties.
Talking about terrorist activities, LeT is one of the most dangerous and active terrorist groups in South Asia, mainly targeting India and especially focusing on Jammu and Kashmir. It is widely believed (by India, the U.S., and the UN) that Pakistan’s intelligence agency ISI helped create and support LeT. The organization operates under different names too — like Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) — to avoid international bans.
Following are the terrorism groups responsible for terrorist attacks in India:
| Group | Primary Focus/Operations | Notes |
| Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) | Attacks on India (especially Kashmir), global jihad | Linked to 26/11 Mumbai attacks (2008) |
| Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) | Militancy in Kashmir, attacks inside India | Led by Masood Azhar, 2019 Pulwama bombing |
| Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) | Fighting Pakistani military; enforcing Shariah law | Army Public School attack (2014) |
| Haqqani Network | Attacks in Afghanistan, support for Taliban | Sophisticated attacks on US/NATO forces |
| Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) | Spreading Al-Qaeda ideology across South Asia | Leadership linked to Pakistan, Afghanistan |
| Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan (SSP) | Anti-Shia sectarian violence | Now operates under other names |
| Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISIS-K) | Radical Islamist protests, especially over blasphemy laws | Known for violent protests against Pakistani government |
Moving further, China also has an interest in Jammu and Kashmir. When India removed Article 370 and split Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories (J&K + Ladakh), China protest. China said the move “challenged its sovereignty” because it involves Ladakh, where they already have territorial claims. China supported Pakistan in taking the Kashmir issue to the UN Security Council, which rarely happens now. India claims Aksai Chin as its own (part of Ladakh), but China treats it as part of its Xinjiang and Tibet regions. The following map depicts the area claimed by Indian government but occupied by Pakistan and China.
While India projects itself as the world’s largest democracy, many minorities (especially Christians, Sikhs and Muslims) experience a different reality. Under Modi, governance often feels authoritarian, challenging core democratic values like equality and inclusion. In recent years, the minorities Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Dalits and tribals have increasingly felt suppressed. Muslims face targeted discrimination through laws like the CAA (Citizenship amendment act), hate speeches, and mob violence. Sikhs still carry the trauma of the 1984 riots and feel mistrusted during movements like the Farmers’ Protest. While the Modi government has at times label Sikh protesters as “terrorists,” it continues to depend heavily on Sikh soldiers, especially the Sikh Regiment, for securing sensitive national borders. Christians report growing attacks on churches and fear anti-conversion laws. Dalits continue to suffer caste-based violence, while Tribals are displaced from their lands without proper rights.
Despite the profound challenges that many Kashmiris feel today, there remains a resilient hope among the people for a future where dignity, identity, and democratic rights are fully respected. True peace and prosperity in Jammu and Kashmir can only be achieved through genuine dialogue, inclusive politics, and a sincere commitment to justice and equality. By embracing the region’s rich cultural heritage and ensuring that development is rooted in the aspirations of its people, there lies the possibility of building a Kashmir that thrives not under the weight of force, but through mutual respect and shared progress. But Modi’s policies are obstructed Kashmir’s path to peace.
Jasmeen Kaur, Swiss Junior Fellow
[1] Al Jazeera. (2019, February 20). Kashmiris in India say they face discrimination, harassment. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/2/20/kashmiris-in-india-say-they-face-discrimination-harassment
[2] BBC News. (2019, February 21). ‘They called me a terrorist’: Kashmiri students face backlash. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-47302467