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A massacre has reignited the forever war between India and Pakistan – once more, Kashmiri voices are missing

The people of Kashmir have had little or no say in their future for as long as I can remember. This cycle must endMirza Waheed was born in Srinigar, Kashmir. His novels include Tell Her Everything and The CollaboratorBy all accounts, the 26 people killed last week in a picturesque meadow in Pahalgam in Kashmir were selected for slaughter by the militants on the basis of their religion. We’ve read heart-rending testimony of how the families watched as the men, almost all Hindu, were shot from close range. These were unconscionable killings. We’ve also read how Kashmiri tourist guides and pony operators rescued many Indian tourists, at great risk to their own lives.Whether this attack was carried out by Pakistani militants, local Kashmiris, or both, is immaterial to the families of the dead. Their lives are destroyed, along with the Indian state’s carefully constructed facade of normality in the region – a facade sustained by the tourism boom of recent years.Mirza Waheed was born in Srinigar, Kashmir. His novels include Tell Her Everything and The CollaboratorDo you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here. Continue reading...

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