A changing Kashmir The Excelsior 05 Aug 2025 Maj Gen Harsha Kakar
A changing Kashmir The Excelsior 05 Aug 2025
Speaking in the debate on Operation Sindoor, Union Home Minister, Amit Shah also raised abrogation of article 370 and 35A and its impact on the region. He mentioned that during the period from 2004 to 2014 there were 7,200 terrorist incidents which claimed 714 civilian and over a thousand security personnel lives. Between 2015 and 2025 the number of incidents dropped to 1525 and casualties included 324 civilians and 542 security personnel. Simultaneously this period witnessed a 162% increase in elimination of terrorists. He added that currently there are no local terrorists operating in Kashmir.
It has been six years since Article 370 was removed by an act of parliament. At that time the government expected strong public reaction and had enhanced security measures within the valley, including placing local politicians under house arrest. Even the annual Amarnath Yatra was cut short that year. However, its fears were unfounded.
Things returned to normal very rapidly. The presence of security forces continues being visible across Kashmir more as a counter to terrorist activities and providing confidence to the visiting public than from fear of local violence. Areas which were no-go for tourists earlier, including the famed Lal Chowk, are now frequented without fear. Cinema halls opened in Kashmir after decades. With inclusion of central schemes Kashmiris have benefitted.
J and K was witnessing a tourism boom and economic growth, all of which was impacted by the recent Pahalgam attack. The situation is returning to normal as the valley remains a favoured tourist destination. With development and investment on the rise, unemployment would recede.
Hospitals, educational institutes and connectivity, including the newly introduced Katra-Srinagar rail link, as also new road links are changing the valley as never before. Coaching centres for central exams, including UPSC, NEET and JEE, are springing up across the valley, indicating that youth are keen to join the mainstream. Construction of canals and dams as also raising heights of current reservoirs to enhance retention of water and increase electricity production for local use, by placing the Indus Water Treaty on hold, will benefit the region. Kashmir is changing and for the better.
There are few political parties which have objected to the erstwhile state being converted into two UTs while the government claims that this is temporary. In all probability, this is linked to management of the security environment within including dealing with the vast underground network supporting terrorism. Unless this network is broken support to terrorism will continue. This is best done when security is under the centre and political interference is minimum.
The conduct of elections, both state and central, sans violence and rigging, enhanced confidence of the local public. The region witnessed a high voter turnout of almost 58% for Lok Sabha polls and 64% for the assembly. This was a vast change from earlier elections which were marred by violence, low participation and calls for boycott by the Hurriyat.
The banning of the Hurriyat, demise of Syed Geelani and stopping flow of Hawala funds brought orchestrated violence and hartals to a standstill. Stone pelting and enforcement of bandhs had become a cottage industry in the valley. Security forces no longer need to cater additional troops to keep stone pelters at bay during anti-terrorist operations. These are positives. However, a lot needs to be done.
Abdul Sheikh Rashid, also known as Engineer Rashid, MP from Baramulla summed it up, while speaking on the debate on Operation Sindoor in parliament. He mentioned, ‘I want to say that to end and fight militancy, you have to first win the hearts of Kashmiris.’ He added that during the entire debate, no speaker has made any mention of Kashmiris.
Omar Abdullah mentioned after Pahalgam, ‘We can control militancy with guns, but we cannot end it. It will end when the people are with us. Today, it seems people are reaching there.’ Omar highlighted the changing environment by mentioning, ‘From Kathua to Kupwara, there is no town or village where people did not protest against this (Pahalgam). They said, ‘Not in my name’. And this is spontaneous.’ This is a positive change.
Both, Rashid and Omar have highlighted that the most crucial step to be taken to end terrorism is winning over the youth. For this the centre and the UT have to work together, alongside the army, and learn to trust Kashmiris. There will always be bad apples but these will be far and few. Most locals are hardworking and seek to provide for their families. Stereotyping Kashmiris as anti-national should be avoided.
Simultaneously, the government needs to act against narco-terrorism and the growing drug menace which is impacting youth of the region. The past few years has witnessed a rapid rise in heroin addiction mainly due to easy availability of drugs.
A major noticeable change is that Pakistan’s claims on Kashmir have almost no takers. This is because of multiple reasons involving Pakistan itself including its own economic downfall, political instability and largely because people have seen through its game. They have understood that Pakistan is interested in Kashmir for the water it provides and has no love for its population.
Pakistan observes ‘black days’ including Kashmir Solidarity Day (February 5th), Kashmir Martyrs’ Day (July 13th), and Kashmir Black Day (October 27th), to display solidarity with the people of the valley. In Kashmir, these are normal days with normal activities. Islamabad also marks 05 Aug (the day article 370 was abrogated) as Youm-e-Istehsal (Day of Exploitation) as also Burhan Wani and Syed Geelani’s death anniversaries. In the valley, there is silence and none of these days have any relevance. It only proves that Pakistan has lost the hold it once held.
Desperation to keep the Kashmir issue alive in global media compels Pakistan to resort to actions like Pahalgam. However, these have begun to bounce back. Protests against Pakistan across the valley, Indian counter strikes resulting in severe damage to its strategic assets and lack of international support are proving counterproductive.
Kashmir is changing and this change must continue being pushed. Governments at the state and centre, alongside the army, whose presence is most pronounced, must work hand in glove, with a strategic aim, towards achieving this. Amalgamating the region into the mainstream is the only solution.