In an unprecedented show of unity and grief, Jammu and Kashmir observed a complete shutdown on Wednesday in response to the brutal terrorist attack that claimed the lives of at least 26 people mostly tourists in the Baisaran area of Pahalgam, Anantnag district. The incident, which occurred on Tuesday, has triggered widespread outrage and led to the first valley-wide shutdown against terrorism in 35 years.

For the first time in 35 years, the Kashmir Valley observed a complete shutdown against a terror strike. Streets across Srinagar and other major towns were eerily quiet, with marketplaces, petrol pumps, and commercial establishments shuttered. Only essential services were available, and public transportation was largely absent. However, private vehicles continued to ply in limited numbers.

The call for the bandh came from a wide range of voices including trade associations, religious leaders, civil society, and mainstream political parties demonstrating a rare, unified rejection of violence. The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), Kashmir Traders and Manufacturers Federation (KTMF), and Jammu’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry were among the key business bodies leading the call. The Jammu Bar Association also backed the shutdown, along with student organisations like the Jammu-Kashmir Students Association (JKSA).

Religious Groups Condemn the Attack

Religious organisations strongly condemned the killings. Mutahida Majlis Ulema (MMU), a coalition of various Islamic bodies led by Hurriyat’s Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, appealed for a peaceful strike, urging residents to express solidarity with the bereaved families. “The people of Jammu and Kashmir must peacefully stand against this atrocity,” said Mirwaiz.

Heightened security measures were immediately implemented across the region. Additional security forces were deployed at all major checkpoints, tourist hubs, and district headquarters. Officials confirmed that checkposts had been established and extensive frisking operations were being carried out. A sweeping search operation was also launched in the Baisaran region, with joint forces from the Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police looking to trace those responsible for the attack.

In Jammu, the impact of the bandh was equally visible. The shutdown was widely supported across the city and nearby towns, with major markets and public spaces remaining deserted. Arun Gupta, president of the Jammu Chamber of Commerce, stressed that the strike was a “clear message that terrorism has no place in our society.”

Many Schools, Colleges were Shut Down

The education sector also responded in solidarity. All private schools remained closed throughout the Valley, while government schools functioned with reduced attendance. Kashmir University announced the postponement of examinations scheduled for the day, aligning with the broader observance of the bandh.

Political leaders from across the spectrum voiced their condemnation of the attack and lent support to the shutdown. Former Chief Minister and PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti called the incident “an assault on the collective conscience of the people,” stating that the victims could have been “any of us.” She urged Kashmiris to unite in grief and protest peacefully. The National Conference, through its official social media channels, also appealed to people to make the bandh a “complete success.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who cut short an official visit to Saudi Arabia in response to the tragedy, denounced the attack and assured the nation that the perpetrators would be brought to justice. Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired a high-level security meeting and traveled to Kashmir the same day to assess the situation firsthand.

The united response from both regions across political lines, communities, and institutions underscored a powerful and emotional message: the people of Jammu and Kashmir are fed up with violence and are now speaking in one voice against terrorism. The bandh served not just as a protest, but as a collective act of mourning, resilience, and defiance against forces that seek to destabilise peace.