India Treats Kashmir Terror Attacks as Acts of War After Pahalgam Assault

Recent violence in Kashmir, including a terrorist attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 civilians, has intensified tensions between India and Pakistan, leading to a fragile ceasefire. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared a "new normal" treating terrorist attacks as acts of war, while ordinary Kashmiris have shown unprecedented unity across religious lines in condemning violence and calling for peace. However, this conflict comes amid significant environmental and social changes in Kashmir, as infrastructure projects and tourism development raise concerns about ecological damage and cultural erosion. Many locals are pushing back through sustainable farming and conservation efforts, striving to preserve their land and heritage. The region's complex history involves promises of autonomy through Article 370, now undermined, fueling political grievances and debates over Kashmir's future. Voices from Kashmir affirm that the ongoing violence is driven by Pakistan-backed terrorism, not a freedom struggle, and call for peace based on truth and the rejection of proxy wars.