All-party resolution terms brutal attack on tourists an assault on Kashmiriyat; pays tribute to martyr Syed Adil
Diplomat Correspondent
Srinagar, (DD): In a moment that cut across ideological divides and partisan politics, Jammu and Kashmir’s top political leaders assembled in Srinagar today and unanimously condemned the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam that claimed six civilian lives, including tourists and locals. An all-party resolution passed during the meeting described the massacre as “an attack not just on innocent lives but on the collective soul of Kashmir.”
The resolution was signed by representatives from all major parties, including the National Conference, Peoples Democratic Party, Congress, Apni Party, CPI(M), and the Bharatiya Janata Party. The joint statement called for a united front against terrorism and a reaffirmation of Kashmir’s legacy of peace, pluralism, and hospitality.
A solemn silence filled the hall as leaders remembered Syed Adil Hussain Shah, a 26-year-old hotelier from Aishmuqam who died while trying to shield guests from bullets. Shah reportedly used his body as a shield to protect a group of tourists from Gujarat when militants opened fire near the banks of the Lidder River.
“Adil did what no training can teach — he laid down his life to save those who had come to experience the beauty of our land. His sacrifice is not just heroic, it is emblematic of what Kashmir truly stands for,” said Omar Abdullah, Chief Minister and National Conference leader.
Call for Calm, Unity, and Accountability
The resolution urged the public to remain calm and avoid falling prey to communal tensions or social media rumors, warning that such attempts only serve the agenda of the perpetrators. The leaders demanded a high-level, time-bound inquiry into the security lapse and urged the Lieutenant Governor-led administration to increase protection for tourist hotspots as the Amarnath Yatra approaches.
Congress leader Ghulam Ahmad Mir stressed that such attacks are “an attempt to derail peace efforts and create an atmosphere of fear ahead of the yatra season.” He called on the Centre to strengthen local policing and intelligence networks and also reiterated the importance of involving local communities in peacebuilding efforts.
In a notable gesture, BJP’s J&K spokesperson Altaf Thakur also condemned the attack and praised Adil Shah’s bravery. “Terrorism has no religion. This was not just a murder of people — it was a murder of our identity. Anyone who calls himself a son of this soil must denounce this act,” he said.
Observers say the all-party solidarity — rare in Kashmir’s charged political climate — could mark a turning point in how civilian and political institutions jointly confront extremism. “This is not the time to politicize tragedy. This is the time to rebuild faith,” said CPI(M) leader M.Y. Tarigami.
The meeting concluded with a unanimous call to the LG administration to provide immediate relief to the victims’ families, both locals and tourists, and to posthumously honor Adil Shah with a gallantry award and a memorial in his name.(DD)
