In the wake of any terror attack, the government of the day often reacts, saying that this is ‘a sign of desperation’ of terrorists. The recent Pahalgam massacre, however, is just that. The outrage, though horrific and tragic, is an isolated act of brutality from a movement that is increasingly gasping for relevance.

Jihadists in and outside Kashmir—including those in West Asia—are struggling. They had hoped that the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019 would result in a mass uprising in the Valley. Contrary to those expectations, the transition post-Article 370 was marked by relative calm. While there were some protests in the initial months, the predicted groundswell of insurgency failed to materialise. Security measures, increased investments in infrastructure, and a gradual normalisation of life contributed to an environment of peace. Importantly, the economy began to show positive signs of growth, helping to shift the public’s focus from separatist agendas to development and prosperity.

The situation gradually turned normal; the ensuing peace revived tourism, the mainstay of Jammu and Kashmir’s economy. In fact, the entire state’s economy has been doing well. According to the state’s Economic Survey 2024-25, the growth rate was 7.06 per cent in 2024-25. In comparison, the national growth rate was 6.4 per cent. People from other parts........

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