Aftermath Pahalgam Massacre

 

Months after India's Operation Sindoor Mprecision strikes obliterated Pakistani terror infrastructure, terror group Jaish-eMohammed (JeM) has launched a major fundraising campaign to expand its network of training camps and safe houses. The outfit has set a target of 3.91 billion Pakistani Rupees to establish 313 New Markaz across Pakistan. These facilities are intended to serve as training grounds for new recruits and secure hideouts and Training Camps or JeM chief Masood Azhar and his brother Talha-Al-Saif, who has been urging followers to contribute (India Today). Report citing top intelligence, rebuilding of terrorist launchpads and training camps that were destroyed during India's precision military strikes under Operation Sindoor are backed by the Pakistani military, its intelligence agencyу ISI, and the interim government. According to the report, Pakistan is setting up small, hightech terror facilities in forested areas along the Line of Control (LoC) in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) to evade Indian surveillance and future strikes. These facilities are being equipped with technologies designed to mask thermal, radar, and satellite signatures (The Economic Times).

The Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terror outfit is quietly orchestrating the reconstruction of its demolished headquarters, Markaz Taiba in Muridke of Pakistan's Punjab, according to the dossier prepared by India's intelligence agencies. The reconstruction drive is being personally overseen by Maulana Abu-Zar, the director of Markaz Taiba, LeT's chief trainer, revered as Ustad-ul-Mujahiddin and Yunus Shah Bukhari, the commander with operational oversight (NDTV Report). Pakistan's Pivotal Role According to the dossier, Islamabad publicly pledged financial assistance for LeT and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) facilities that were destroyed during Operation Sindoor. In August, LeT received PKR 4 crore (around Rs 1.25 crore) from the Pakistani government as seed money. Insiders estimate that the total cost of restoration will exceed PKR 15 crore (around Rs 4.7 crore).The revelation lays bare the double standards of Pakistan's counterterrorism posture. While posturing at global forums as a victim of extremism, the state actively bankrolls outfits waging bloodshed across the border.

Fundraising Under Humanitarian Guise

To plug the financial gap, LeT has also launched a fundraising campaign disguised as flood relief operations. Cadres, often flanked by Pakistani Rangers, stage photo opportunities distributing token supplies before diverting the bulk of donations to Muridke's resurrection.The pattern is eerily familiar. After the 2005 earthquake in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), LeT (then fronting as Jamaatud-Dawa) raised billions in the name of humanitarian aid. Subsequent investigations revealed that 80 per cent was funneled into terror infrastructure, including the construction of Markaz Abbas in Kotli, which was also destroyed during Operation Sindoor.

Latest White-Collar Terrorism

The Latest White-Collar Terrorism in NCR linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba has been the glaring example of how Pakistan has been flouting the India's warnings and international condemnation of their terrorism and terror outfits. The hand in glove Link of Pakistan Military and Terror Camps has been Proved beyond Doubt now and to our Country's dismay International Communities and Countries have been continually ignoring this Precipitation is Pakistan, which willy-nilly has started pinching them too, albeit, not much directly, so far.

Pahlagam Massacre

The Resistance Front (TRF)Gunmen - The New face of Lashkar-e-Taiba in Kashmir, on 22 April 2025, massacred 26 civilians in the Baisaran Valley near Pahalgam. It was a major terrorist attack near Pahalgam in April 2025, which targeted Hindu tourists (no less than a genocide) which have had significant repercussions for both the Hindu community in Kashmir and outside Kashmir and dented broader efforts to facilitate the return of Kashmiri Hindus. Terrorists separated and specifically targeted Hindu and Christian tourists by demanding they prove their religion, sometimes by reciting Islamic verses or exposing themselves to check for circumcision. Survivors recalled the terrorists telling their women they were spared to "narrate the horrors" to Indian authorities The term "Pahalgam massacre" 2025 terrorist attack, was same, as similar events in the year 2000-2002, in this Pahalgam Region around Amarnath Yatra, which affected Kashmiri Pandits and other non-locals living or visiting the region. This massacre compounded the trauma of earlier violence and reinforced the community's sense of insecurity, deepening the divides in Kashmir. The attack on civilians by targeting Hindu tourists, escalated fears within the Hindu whatever minority residing in and around Srinagar. However, increased security measures were immediately implemented across the Kashmir Valley, including Srinagar, with joint combing operations by the Army, CRPF, and J&K Police.

Effect on Kashmiri Pandits

These massacres are part of a longer history of violence against Kashmiri Pandits. In Seven Centuries Old Brutal Islamiation, latest 1980s and early 1990s saw the beginning of a violent insurgency in which Pakistan-sponsored Islamist militants systematically targeted Kashmiri Pandits like among Major Massacres (to recall some) and Militant Attacks after 1990 Mass Exodus were; 1997 Sangrampora Massacre (10), 1998Wandhama Massacre(26), 1999 Kupwara Massacre(9), 2000 Chittisinghpura Massacre (35), 2000 Amarnath Pilgrimage Massacre (30); 2000 Ananatnag Massacre (26), 2001 & 2002 Amarnath Pilgrimage Attacks; 2003 Nadimarg Massacre(24), Again 2017 Amarnath Yatra Attack, Death of Security Forces in 2016 Uriand 2019 Pulwama Attacks, 2019 Kulgam Massacre(24) and so on, list is long, latest being now 2025 Pahalgam Massacre(26). Besides, there have been Massacres and Militant Attacks in Jammu Province too major among them;1998 &1999 Udhumpur and Doda Massacre(26&57), Again 2000 Doda Massacre (33), 2001 Rajouri Massacre (15), 2001 & 2002 Poonch Massacre (17), 2002 Jammu Massacre(36&28) and Ragunath Mandir Attacks, 2006 Udumpur&Doda Massacre (13&23) and further attacks at Udhumpur, Nagrota, Katua etc are well known, list is long here, too - (Figures) are KPs & other Hindus Killed. What happened between 1986 and Pre-lude to 1990 Mass Exodus is also known right from administrative set up of Mufti Syed, Gulam Mohd Shah and Farooq Abdullah as CMs. So, facing targeted killings and threats among others including breakdown of law and order, most of the Kashmiri Pandit community was forced to flee the Valley between 1989 and 1991. Militants killed prominent community members, with slogans from mosque loudspeakers demanding "Pandits Convert, Leave, or Perish - meaning in Kashmiri Ralliv, Challiv Ya Galliv". More so, in exile, many Pandits have suffered from Displacement, Depression, Mental Trauma, Helplessness and Reports Suggest, an Avg Elderly Kashmiri Pandit succumbed to Death 10-15 Years earlier than what could have been ordained by Almighty after 1990 mass exodus. Obviously, the recent massacre at Pahalgam was one such incident and that followed this long and traumatic history. These serve as highly painful stories in the ongoing struggle for Kashmiri Pandits, both for those who dream of returning to the Valley and those handful who remain in the Valley.

Safety of Kashmiri Hindus including Pandits living in the Valley

For the small number of Kashmiri Pandits who still live in the Valley, the attack was a horrifying reminder reinforcing fear of the violence they have endured since the 1990s. Some Pandit employees working in the valley held a silent protest, asking the government to consider their safety. As triggered backlash, too, the attack led to a surge of Anti-Kashmiri Muslim Sentiment across India. This created a 32 fresh wave of fear among some Kashmiri Pand and other Hindus who felt unsafe especiay inside their Home Region. The violence damaged the sense of normalcy and security that had been promoted in recent years especially after Abrogation of Art 370, which was a core condition for many migrated Hindus considering returning to the Valley and tha drifted again from the life of Returnees. Repeated massacres showed Kashmin Pandits that they are not safe, more so not ever safe, in the contextof their Religious Rituals, i Kashmir. For the minority community tha remained in the Valley after the 1990 exodus the attack added to their sense of being unde siege and under sense of vulnerability. B targeting Hindus repeatedly, around pilgrimage to Baba Amaranth, the attack confirmed the fears of displaced Pandits that the Valley was unsafe for return. It contributed to the profound sense of loss and alienation, felt by the community that has since been recording its experiences in Poignant and Heart-breaking Shattering Memoirs and Poetry, out of total disillusionment

Setback for Resettlement Plans

The Pahalgam attack has been describe as a major setback to the government's efforts to project normalcy and encourage the returm of Kashmiri Hindus (Pandits). The attack, along with other targeted killings, has created a more hostile environment for potential returnees directly contradicting the narrative of a Peacefu Kashmir. In the wake of the attacks, demands for a concrete and secure roadmap for the retum of Kashmiri Pandits have intensified. In Ma 2025, Various Kashmiri Pandit Organization Representatives called on the Union Home Ministry to unveil a robust plan for their return, highlighting the community's lack of trust in the prevailing security situation. While a Private Member's Bill, 'The Kashmiri Pandits (Recourse, Restitution, Rehabilitation and Resettlement) Bill 2022' Introduced by RS MP Mr Vivek Tankha, for the rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits received presidential recommendation in July 2025, the attacks underscore the stark difference between political efforts and the challenging security situation on the ground. The violence highlighted the security risks that still exist, making any largescale return, a more difficult prospect.

Geopolitical Context

The April 2025 attack triggered a serious escalation of tensions between India and Pakistan. India launched "Operation Sindoor" in retaliation, targeting terrorist infrastructure across the border. This included air strikes, and both sides engaged in cross-border firing, too. As usual Pakistan denied involvement, and Ceasefire also was there within 4 days of Counter Attack by India at the behest of Begging Bowl Pakistan. While All this happened, Pahalgam Attack drew strong International Condemnation, too, form Various Countries of The World, with the UN calling for the perpetrators to be held accountable. The international community had also urged for de-escalation, which prevailed, but the incident has, also, marked a potential turning point in India's approach to Counterterrorism in the Region. However, International Condemnation too, turned out to be more of lip services than what, in reality, it should have pushed for to Support India in efforts to Quell Terrorists Activities in Pakistan.

Resilience of Kashmiri Pandits and Other Kashmiri Hindus

Despite the increased risks, some Kashmiri Pandits have continued efforts to re-establish connections to their homeland. Small-scale initiatives like the revival of old temples and have continued to monitor Safe and Security of Kashmiri Pandits and other Hindu employees already working in the valley. Some are Running Schools, some are involved in Business of Trading and other doing Service Business etc. Undoubtedly, for many residents in Srinagar, the attack was a Blow to the Economy. Shikara boat operators on Dal Lake and Hoteliers, a major tourist hub in Srinagar, protested the violence, fearing of deterrence for tourists and hurting their livelihoods. The attack also intensified political rhetoric; while the local government under current CM condemned the violence, the incident put pressure on the administration to ensure the more safety of minorities and tourists, in future. However, daring Hindus Carried Amarnath Yatra 2025 as usual, with High Religious-Fervor and ReligiousCeremonies Like Janam Ashtami and Dussehra were also held with Religious Gaiety.

Not Much Let up in Security Environment in Kashmir

To sum it up, following the 2025 Pahalgam terror attack, a comprehensive assessment of the implications for Kashmiri Pandits' return shows not much of let-up in security environment, making their return in Safety, Dignity, and with Economic Opportunity still difficult. The attack also, highlighted somehow, the state's inability to protect minorities, intensifying community fears and potentially derailing efforts for rehabilitation given re-occurrence of violence, cross-border tensions, and jeopardizing any existing rehabilitation programs; no matter and what-so-ever way, Govts would Blow Their Own Trumpet!

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Courtesy: Rajeshwar Dhar  and Koshur Samachar-2025, December