Videos emerging from the street markets of Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam have triggered sharp reactions online, with users questioning the sincerity of earlier solidarity gestures following last year’s deadly terror attack. The visuals, reportedly showing merchandise featuring Pakistani cricketers, including Babar Azam, being sold, have drawn criticism from several quarters. Many online commentators have contrasted these scenes with the candlelight marches and emotional appeals that followed the April 22, 2025 attack, raising doubts about whether the expressions of grief and unity at the time were genuine.
In previous instances, authorities in Kashmir have booked several people under sedition and cyber terrorism charges for allegedly supporting Pakistani cricketers.
“This is Pahalgam, the same place where 26 innocent Indians were killed in a terror attack. After the tragedy, we saw emotional appeals, candle marches, and loud claims of solidarity against terrorism. Today, the same streets are reportedly selling posters of Pakistani,” wrote X user Divya Gandotra Tandon.
This is Pahalgam, the same place where 26 innocent Indians were killed in a terror attack.
After the tragedy, we saw emotional appeals, candle marches, and loud claims of solidarity against terrorism.
Today, the same streets are reportedly selling posters of Pakistani… pic.twitter.com/8QP0nxIguL
— Divya Gandotra Tandon (@divya_gandotra) April 25, 2026
Another user, AAditya, posted, “Just the hatred for Hindus is higher.”
Just the hatred for hindus is higher. https://t.co/28hIXXOHwG
— AAditya | आदित्य (@AdityaSatsangi) April 25, 2026
A third user wrote, “Hindus should avoid visiting Kashmir and patronising the same very people who are thirsty of their blood. Most of them are criminals who actively take part against our Armed forces and lead to genocide of thousands of Kashmiri pandits from 1989-91.”
Hindus should avoid visiting Kashmir and patronising the same very people who are thirsty of their blood.
Most of them are criminals who actively take part against our Armed forces and Lead to genocide of thousands of Kashmiri pandits from 1989-91 https://t.co/7EWm1OZhe7
— Aviral Singh (@aviralrashtriya) April 25, 2026
Another X, user TarkKshatriya questioned the solidarity shown by Kashmiri people last year.
“Back then, we saw candle marches, emotional speeches, and powerful claims of unity against terrorism. But today? The very same streets are reportedly selling posters of Pakistani cricketers. T-shirts with their faces. Even visuals of Ali Khamenei, someone who has openly backed Pakistan despite its terror links. So what was all that ‘solidarity’? Was it real grief… or just momentary optics?”
#Pahalgam: The same place where 26 innocent Indians lost their lives in a brutal terror attack.
Back then, we saw candle marches, emotional speeches, and powerful claims of unity against terrorism.
But today?The very same streets are reportedly selling posters of Pakistani… pic.twitter.com/4LVwitCZGK
— TarkKshatriya (@OpJakharBeyoung) April 25, 2026
The 2025 Pahalgam Terror Attack
On April 22, 2025, terrorists backed by Pakistan opened fire on a group of tourists in Pahalgam, killing 25 visitors and a local resident. The attack, attributed to the Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba, targeted mostly Indian tourists.
The assault devastated the popular Baisaran meadow and led to a sharp decline in tourism across Jammu and Kashmir. In the immediate aftermath, nearly 50 tourist destinations were temporarily shut down. These sites have since reopened following a comprehensive security audit.
India’s Retaliatory Action After Pahalgam Terror Attack: Operation Sindoor
Following the attack, India launched a retaliatory military offensive named Operation Sindoor. The operation targeted terror camps and military infrastructure belonging to Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
Reaffirming the country’s stance ahead of the attack’s anniversary, the Indian Army posted on X, “When the boundaries of humanity are crossed, the response is decisive. Justice is served. India stands united.”
Prime Minister Modi’s Message On ahalgam Terror Attack Anniversary
Marking the first anniversary of the attack, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated India’s resolve against terrorism.
“Remembering the innocent lives lost in the gruesome Pahalgam terror attack on this day last year. They will never be forgotten,” he said in a post on X.
The Prime Minister also expressed solidarity with the victims’ families, adding, “As a nation, we stand united in grief and resolve. India will never bow to any form of terror. The heinous designs of terrorists will never succeed.”
Zubair Amin is a Senior Journalist at NewsX with over seven years of experience in reporting and editorial work. He has written for leading national and international publications, including Foreign Policy Magazine, Al Jazeera, The Economic Times, The Indian Express, The Wire, Article 14, Mongabay, News9, among others. His primary focus is on international affairs, with a strong interest in US politics and policy. He also writes on West Asia, Indian polity, and constitutional issues. Zubair tweets at zubaiyr.amin
