Pahalgam’s Wake-Up Call: Slack Security in the Valley, Delhi is Still a State of Reaction
- VocalVoice
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
"Incredible India!" the posters say.
And sure, if by “incredible” we mean incredibly negligent, incredibly tone-deaf, and incredibly good at blaming others—then yes, absolutely. Spot on.
On April 22, Pahalgam’s serene Baisaran valley—where lovers take selfies and ponies outnumber people—was turned into a horror show. Tourists screamed, bullets flew, and the air, usually filled with pine-scented calm, reeked of blood and cordite. Twenty-eight dead. More than twenty wounded. A local hero, Adil, dead while shielding visitors he didn’t even know.
But where were the security forces? Oh, right—on vacation, apparently.
Zero Men, Full Mayhem
Despite being a well-known tourist hub, Baisaran had fewer security personnel than a VIP wedding buffet line. Not a single armed checkpoint. Not even a “beware of terrorists” sign.
“Tourists come to Kashmir for its beauty, not to become martyrs.”
What is more shameful is that in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack, the United States issued a "Do Not Travel" advisory for Jammu and Kashmir, highlighting the region's volatility.
This advisory underscores international concerns about safety and stability in the area. The advisory, issued shortly after the attack, marks the first such warning since the Pulwama strike in 2019. It reflects the heightened security risks and the need for travelers to exercise caution.
This adds to the growing scrutiny of India's security measures in the region, emphasizing the importance of addressing vulnerabilities and ensuring the safety of both residents and visitors. And we, the citizen of this nation are still debating on Hindu-Muslim narrative of Godi media. Remember this type of segregation- divide and rule was implanted by the colonists to conquer us. It will also be out downfall in future unless if we are not united as Indians.
Budget Cuts and Bullet Holes
While people die, Delhi proudly announced its "smart austerity" in defense, shaving off a juicy ₹2,100 crore from the security infrastructure budget. Smart indeed. If by "smart," you mean “let's fund statues while tourists bleed in meadows."
Major General G D Bakshi yelled on screen condemning Delhi shaving security budget handsomely by 20% compared to the last year. Because obviously, nothing says “progress” like fewer boots on the ground and more hashtags on Twitter.
The central government invested instead in tourism promotion campaigns. Yes, let’s pour crores into glitzy ads showing happy tourists sipping kahwa—right before they’re shot at on a pony ride. Fantastic PR strategy.
“We felt abandoned,” said Prashant, a survivor from Pune. “There was no one. No police. No help. Just screams and gunshots.” He hid behind a tree for over an hour while trying to keep his 8-year-old daughter from crying too loudly. “I don’t know how I’ll ever bring her here again,” he said. I am sure he never never set a foot in Kashmir.
Adil: The Local Hero Who Deserved a Battalion, Not a Body Bag
While Delhi was fast asleep at the security wheel, a young Kashmiri named Syed Adil Hussain Shah was wide awake. He ran toward the gunfire. Shielded two Nepali tourists. Took bullets to the chest. Didn’t survive.
There’s no statue being built for Adil. No posthumous gallantry award. Heck, the government hasn’t even bothered with a tweet. At least not till I wrote this column. Why? Because he didn’t fit the narrative. Too local. Too brown. Too brave without official permission.
What Now? Wait for Another Attack?
If you're not mad, you're not paying attention. Here’s the plan, Delhi:
Stop cutting security budgets and start cutting out bureaucratic fat. Honor people like Adil with more than a passing mention.
To the public: speak up. Share this. Rage a little. Or a lot. Because if we keep quiet, the only thing Incredible about India will be how predictably we let this happen again.
To my fellow Indians: Stop harassing Kashmiris who have nothing to do with this. They want a safe environment too. You want Kashmiris to puth faith in India while your outrage in Chandigarh shows how you yourself have not accepted them as your countrymen.
Because maybe—just maybe—next time, there’ll be no one like Adil out there watching our backs. Be the better version of you.
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