New Delhi, May 4 -- The terrorist attack in Pahalgam in which 26 innocent people were killed has been a shock to a common Kashmiri. As a Kashmiri myself, I had always believed the conflict was limited to confrontations between security forces and militants.

Having spent the last 12 years in Delhi, I've always encouraged friends and acquaintances to visit Kashmir, assuring them that tourists were never targeted and that the valley was safe. This is how most Kashmiris living outside the state encouraged people to visit Kashmir. But the Pahalgam attack has shattered that confidence. It has proven us wrong.

The rage and frustration among ordinary Kashmiris today stems not only from the economic impact on tourism but, more importantly, from ...