After the Pahalgam Attack: Humanitarian Crisis Along the Line of Control

A Morning That Shattered Kashmir’s Peace

On the morning of 22 April 2025, the peaceful beauty of Baisaran Valley, near Pahalgam, was broken by violence. What began as a normal spring day — tourists sipping tea, children playing in meadows, families admiring the misty pine forests — turned into horror. Masked gunmen emerged from the woods and opened fire at close range.

Twenty-six civilians were killed and many more were seriously wounded. The attack was deliberate, brutal, and designed to divide. The victims were reportedly separated by identity — locals from visitors — in a chilling echo of the region’s political wounds.

In the days that followed, Kashmir once again became the centre of international headlines. But for ordinary Kashmiris, this was not just another headline. It was another reminder that their land, rich in history and beauty, continues to bleed from old scars.

The Shadow of Article 370

To understand the anger that fuels such tragedies, we must return to 2019. That year, the Indian government revoked Article 370, which had given Jammu and Kashmir special status within the Indian Constitution. It allowed the region its own laws, its own constitution, and protection against permanent settlement by outsiders.

When this safeguard was removed, many Kashmiris feared they would become strangers in their own homeland. Land once reserved for locals could now be purchased by anyone from outside the region. To them, it was not just a political decision but an assault on their identity and culture — one that echoed far beyond borders.

The Pahalgam attack, though inexcusable, was claimed to be a reaction to these deep tensions. Yet no grievance, no matter how deep, can justify the killing of innocent people.

The Violence Spreads to the Line of Control

In the aftermath, the situation across the Line of Control (LoC) worsened dramatically. Shelling intensified. Border villages on both sides — from Kotli to Neelum Valley — were caught in the crossfire of escalating military exchanges. Families who had just begun to rebuild their lives after previous clashes were forced to flee once more.

Children were woken in the night by explosions. Homes collapsed under heavy fire. Elderly men and women, too frail to run, clung to prayer mats as windows shattered around them.

While the world debated politics, the people of Azad Kashmir lived the consequences.

The Human Cost of the Line of Control

Behind every statistic lies a story:

A widow in Leepa Valley who lost her only son, a labourer, when their home was struck by shelling.
A young mother in Bhimber who carries her child through the hills at night, fleeing the front line.
An elderly farmer in Kotli who no longer plants crops because every season could be his last.

These are not stories of one side or another. They are the stories of humanity caught between power and politics.

The Kashmir Welfare Foundation has witnessed this suffering firsthand. Through our teams on the ground, we have seen how violence along the LoC destroys entire communities — homes, schools, mosques, and hopes.

Why the Kashmir Welfare Foundation Responds

When conflict erupts, time becomes the difference between life and death. That is why our Emergency Response Budget was created — a reserve fund allowing immediate mobilisation when crises strike.

Through the Kashmir LOC Appeal, we are providing life-saving support to families in frontline districts. Our mission is not political; it is purely humanitarian.

We are on the ground to:

• Deliver emergency medical care to the wounded through field hospitals and mobile health units.
• Distribute food packs and hot meals to displaced families who have lost their homes and livelihoods.
• Supply clean water and hygiene kits to prevent outbreaks of disease in temporary shelters.
• Offer psychological and faith-based support to children traumatised by the violence.

When the bombs fall silent, our work continues — rebuilding lives, not just responding to tragedy.

Kashmir LOC Appeal – Help us get ready before the next Crisis!

The World’s Silence Is Deafening

For decades, the United Nations has recognised the right of Kashmiris to self-determination — the right to decide their future through peaceful means. Yet each passing year brings more broken promises, more tears, and more graves.

The international community cannot continue to turn away. Silence in the face of injustice is complicity. If the world ignores the suffering of Kashmir, it risks losing its moral conscience.

We urge global organisations, journalists, and governments to support an independent international investigation into the Pahalgam attack and subsequent violence across the LoC. Only transparency can restore trust. Only truth can pave the way to peace.

The Role of the Kashmiri Diaspora

Across the United Kingdom, thousands of British Kashmiris watch these events unfold with heartbreak. Many still have relatives in Muzaffarabad, Kotli, or Neelum Valley. For them, the struggle is not distant — it is deeply personal.

Through Zakat and Sadaqah donations, the diaspora has been the lifeline for families surviving on the front lines. Your compassion has built wells, stocked ambulances, and rebuilt homes destroyed by conflict.

Today, as the LoC heats once again, your support is needed more than ever.

Standing for Humanity, Not Headlines

We do not seek attention. We seek action.

Every donation made through the Kashmir LOC Appeal is used responsibly, efficiently, and transparently to protect innocent lives. Whether it funds a food pack, a medicine delivery, or a rebuilt shelter, your gift is a message that the world still cares.

No one should live in fear of the next shell. No mother should bury her child for politics. And no valley so beautiful should echo with the sound of gunfire instead of laughter.

Kashmir’s people have endured enough. It is time to stand with them — not through slogans, but through tangible support.

How You Can Help Kashmir Today

Your contribution to the Kashmir LOC Appeal ensures that our teams can reach families trapped by conflict with immediate relief and medical aid.

If you are giving Zakat, consider allocating a portion to our emergency work. Your Zakat reaches the most deserving — widows, orphans, and displaced families along the border who have lost everything but hope.

You can also make a continuous impact through Regular Giving, helping us plan long-term support for healthcare, housing, and livelihood restoration in the affected valleys.

Kashmir LOC FAQ

1. What is the Kashmir LOC Appeal?
The Kashmir LOC Appeal is a humanitarian programme by Kashmir Welfare Foundation providing emergency aid to civilians affected by violence along the Line of Control.

2. Are donations used for victims of the Pahalgam attack?
No. The Foundation does not operate in Indian-administered Kashmir. Funds support relief for families in Azad Kashmir who are suffering from the aftermath of increased cross-border violence.

3. How does my donation help?
Your donation funds emergency food packs, medical treatment, and shelter for families displaced by shelling. Every pound helps deliver life-saving support.

4. Can I give my Zakat towards this appeal?
Yes. Zakat donations are distributed to eligible beneficiaries along the LoC who have lost homes or livelihoods due to conflict.

5. What is the long-term goal of the Kashmir Welfare Foundation’s work?
Beyond immediate aid, we aim to rebuild resilience — restoring schools, clinics, and community centres to ensure Kashmir’s next generation can grow up in peace and dignity.

A Final Word of Hope

The tragedy of Pahalgam and the suffering along the Line of Control are reminders that every act of violence ripples through generations. But with compassion and collective action, we can help heal those wounds.

Kashmir is more than a conflict zone; it is a land of poets, farmers, teachers, and dreamers. A land that deserves peace, not politics.

Let us stand together — for justice, for mercy, for humanity. Because when Kashmir cries, we all should listen.