SRINAGAR: "It's not a good time to be a Kashmiri," said Iqra, an intern at a Delhi-based magazine.
"I was on the metro, on my way from Hauz Khas to Jhandewalan, when I heard someone say, 'These Pakistanis, Kashmiri bastards are all terrorists. They should be killed like Palestinians.' I froze. I didn’t know what to say or even where to look."
The brutal killings of at least 28 people, including 27 tourists and one local resident, in Pahalgam’s Baisaran Valley has left Kashmir in shock. The attack, which took place around 2:20 PM on Tuesday, has also sparked fears—fears of even more militarization, an economic collapse, and the dangerous rise of collective punishment against Kashmiris.
The killings happened in Baisaran, a picturesque pine forest meadow often called "Mini Switzerland," a popular tourist spot about 10,000 visitors typically flock each day during peak season.
A Community in Mourning
For the locals, whose livelihoods depend on tourism, the attack has been devastating. "This will ruin our economy, our future," said Zubair, a Pahalgam student. "My family depends on two ponies for income.
Ninety-nine percent of Pahalgam survives on tourism. We’ve always welcomed tourists here—it’s what keeps us going. But now... this is a disaster."
Kashmiri Students Under Threat
The attack has also put Kashmiri students and professionals across India at serious risk. Many have received threats, and landlords have asked them to leave.
"Messages are flooding in from Kashmiri youths studying and working in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh," said Nasir Khuehami, a representative of the J&K Students Association. "Landlords are telling them to leave immediately for 'security reasons.' Some have already packed their bags and gone."
Amidst hatred pouring through messaging in the social media and television channels, students are worried that the distinction between terrorists and Kashmiri Muslims is often blurred and that they would have to bear the brunt of this.
Rizwan, a Kashmiri student in Chandigarh, shared his growing concern: "We’re terrified. On our WhatsApp groups, we’ve been seeing horrible messages—things like, 'I’m not standing for peace. The only justice I want is skinning the perpetrators alive and feeding their corpses to dogs.' It’s hard to even read that."
Later that day, he faced discrimination face-to-face. "I went out for a cigarette, like I do every day. The shopkeeper, someone I’ve seen around for months, refused to sell it to me and called me a 'Kashmiri dog.' He yelled at me, saying, 'When are you guys leaving this place?'"
Nasir Khuehami added, "I’ve told the students to stay at home. They’re managing for now, but I can’t predict what will happen next. People’s anger and fear are hard to control."
Increasing Threats Across India
The danger to Kashmiri students only seems to be growing. In Uttarakhand, the Hindu Raksha Dal, a right-wing group, issued threats to Kashmiri Muslim students, demanding they leave by 10 AM, the following day or face violence.
In Dehradun, around 20 Kashmiri students fled toward Jolly Grant Airport after receiving direct threats from right-wing groups. The Hindu Raksha Dal also sent letters to several colleges in the city, threatening to expel Kashmiri students unless they left immediately.
In Himachal Pradesh, Kashmiri students have been subjected to abuse and even physical attacks. Hostels are no longer a safe haven, with right-wing groups entering student accommodations and threatening violence.
Ahsan, a Kashmiri student from Himachal Pradesh, said, “I don’t even know what to think anymore. My family is worried. Every call from them feels like a reminder of how unsafe it is here. They keep telling me to be strong, but they also want me to come home, if things get worse. I’m not sure if I should stay or leave. What will happen to my future if I leave now?”
Samiya, another student from Himachal, echoed those worries. "We’re receiving threats from right-wing groups. Every day, I hear of more attacks, more harassment. My parents are telling me to come back home. They’re scared for my safety, and I don’t blame them. I want to stay and finish my studies, but how can I when it’s not safe here?"
Meanwhile, in Punjab, tensions reached a boiling point after an attack on Kashmiri students at an institution in Derabassi, Chandigarh. A group of attackers, some locals and some from other regions, barged into the hostel at night, targeting Kashmiri students with sharp-edged weapons. One student was seriously injured. Security at the college did nothing, and the police were too slow to intervene.
The violence against Kashmiri students has created a climate of fear. As the fallout from the Pahalgam attack ripples across India, the safety of Kashmiri students remains a growing concern.
Saif, a Kashmiri student in Dehradun, said, “The threats are becoming unbearable. My parents called me last night, and I could hear the fear in their voices. 'Please, come home, we’ll figure things out. Your safety is the only thing that matters.' It’s hard to hear that from them, but I know they’re right. What else can I do when it’s not safe here?”
Tariq, another student in Dehradun, recalled a phone call with his father at 3.00 AM. "He told me, 'You need to leave, son. It’s not safe anymore. Just come back.' I never thought I’d hear that. I never imagined I’d feel this helpless in a place I came to study and build my future."
Faisal, a Kashmiri student in Uttarakhand, shared the painful reality he’s facing: "I spoke to my father yesterday. He was so worried. He said, ‘If it gets worse, come home. Whatever happens, we’ll manage, but your safety is the most important thing.’ It’s painful to hear that. But what can I do? If things keep escalating, staying here might not be an option."
Rumours & Fake Posts
Fueling the anxieties and panic of Kashmiris amidst this situation are a variety of rumours and fake or unverified social media posts in circulation.
Following a viral social media post about the alleged death of a student from Bomai, Sopore in Chandigarh, Sopore Police clarified that it was fake. “It is clarified that the individual mentioned in these posts had, in fact, passed away in 2021 due to an acute malaria infection. The current posts are factually incorrect and misleading,” police said, in a statement.
The Police warned against circulation and sharing of unverified posts, saying it would cause unnecessary panic and distress. Strict action will be taken against those who misuse social media platforms to spread rumours or create fear among the public, Police said.
(The name of the reporter who contributed to this story has been withheld for fear of reprisal)
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