After Article 370 end, Pakistan’s terror tactics fail to unnerve Kashmiris

Six years after Article 370 was revoked, Kashmir has seen reduced violence, rising tourism, and a resilient public rejecting Pakistan’s terror tactics, choosing peace and progress over fear and propaganda.

New Delhi: Six years ago, when the Modi government abrogated Article 370 and 35A, it completed the Constitutional process that had been deliberately left unfinished for decades. Six years later, the government took another step that has demonstrated to the world that terror violence will no longer go unpunished.

Operation Sindoor, conducted just a few months before the sixth anniversary of the Article 370 abrogation, stands as a fitting response to Pakistan and its terror-supporting deep state.

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Since August 5, 2019, the security landscape in Kashmir has undergone a dramatic transformation. Stone-pelting incidents, street protests, bomb blasts, and targeted firings have stopped. The number of attacks on security forces has also seen a sharp decline.

This improved security has led to a significant rise in tourism. Since the abrogation, crores of tourists from across India and abroad have visited the Union Territory. The steady inflow has boosted local industries such as handicrafts and horticulture, contributing significantly to the region’s economic revival.

The enhanced sense of safety has also encouraged greater youth participation in education, sports, competitive exams, and entrepreneurship.

Though sporadic terror incidents still occur, the overall environment — especially in the Kashmir Valley — has become far more welcoming for visitors. Much of the population is now focused on rebuilding and moving beyond the fear and trauma of the pre-2019 era.

However, after failing to reignite fear through sustained attacks, Pakistan unleashed the brutal April 22 terror assault targeting innocent tourists — killing 25 after identifying them as Hindus. A local ponywalla was also murdered. The ploy was sinister, aimed at breaking the spirit of Kashmiris and derailing peace efforts. It also sought to instigate communal tensions across the country.

But Kashmiris proved Pakistan wrong. After the initial shock, tourists returned to the valley. A defining moment came with Kashmiri Hindus celebrating Zaeth-Ashtami at the Kheer Bhawani Temple in Ganderbal. This was soon followed by the Amarnath Yatra, which drew participation from over four lakh pilgrims. This resilience has sent a strong message to Pakistan and its proxies.

Gone are the days when terrorists roamed freely in the valley — even in Srinagar. Earlier, militants found shelter not just near the Line of Control, but deep within civilian areas. There were hundreds of instances of locals harbouring or aiding them. Post-2019, that landscape has changed. Most encounters now take place in remote forests, where militants hide in foliage or caves.

Since the abrogation, the Modi government has banned dozens of organisations that previously supported terrorism in Kashmir. This crackdown has significantly curbed local recruitment into terror outfits. Today, most terror operatives are sent from across the Pakistan border.

That said, challenges remain. Elements susceptible to religious propaganda can still be influenced by Pakistan-backed terror groups, which continue to promote terrorism under the guise of jihad.

Recently, National Conference president and former Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah stated that militancy in Jammu and Kashmir has not ended and never will. Such remarks highlight the real challenge — the doublespeak of certain political leaders who appear to thrive on prolonged tensions for personal or political gain.

But the people of Kashmir have spoken. They want peace. They want progress. And they want more tourists to visit the valley — to build on the momentum set in motion after August 5, 2019.