Trade bodies, schools, religious groups, political parties unite in protest across Valley
Diplomat Correspondent
Srinagar, (DD): A complete shutdown is being observed across the Kashmir Valley on Wednesday in a unified show of grief and protest against the recent terror attack in Pahalgam’s Baisaran area that claimed 26 lives.
The call for the shutdown was jointly issued by the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), Private Schools Association of Jammu and Kashmir (PSAJK), Jamiat-e-Ahli Hadees, Anjuman-e-Sharie Shian, and several mainstream and regional political parties including the National Conference, PDP, and Apni Party.
Shops and business establishments remained closed, schools and colleges suspended classes, and public transport was largely off the roads. The strike reflected widespread anger and mourning among the people over the killing of civilians, including tourists.
Expressions of solidarity were also witnessed in parts of Jammu, where civil society groups joined in mourning and condemned the brutal act.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who arrived in Srinagar on Tuesday evening, is expected to visit Pahalgam today to review the security situation. He will also visit Government Medical College (GMC) Anantnag to meet those injured in the attack.
Security across South Kashmir has been intensified, with additional deployments and area domination exercises being carried out in vulnerable zones(DD)