Don鈥檛 seek revenge, don鈥檛 blame a community, don鈥檛 abandon Kashmir: Hotmail co-founder Sabeer Bhatia after Pahalgam terror attack

In the aftermath of the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Hotmail co-founder Sabeer Bhatia has urged Indians to stay united, resist hate, and continue standing with the people of Kashmir. Sabeer Bhatia has called on fellow Indians not to isolate the people of Kashmir but to support them with continued engagement and visits to the region. Bhatia urged Indians to stay united, resist hate, and continue standing with the people of Kashmir.

"That鈥檚 exactly what the terrorists want," says Bhatia

Reacting on social media to the killings, Bhatia urged citizens to distinguish between acts of terror and the broader Kashmiri community, which he described as warm, resilient, and hospitable.

鈥淟et鈥檚 not abandon the people of Kashmir鈥攖hat鈥檚 exactly what the terrorists want. Keep visiting. Stand with the warmth, resilience, and hospitality of the Kashmiri people,鈥� Bhatia posted on X.

Call for justice, not revenge

Calling the killing of innocent civilians a "cowardly act," Bhatia said justice must be delivered, but without generalising blame.

"India must pursue the perpetrators鈥攏ot blame an entire community. That鈥檚 the mark of a just and wise government,鈥� he posted.

His comments have gained traction online, standing in contrast to rising calls for boycotts and collective punishment鈥攏arratives Bhatia firmly rejected.

The Pahalgam terror attack: What happened

The Pahalgam terror attack took place on April 22 in the Baisaran meadow near Pahalgam, a scenic tourist destination in Jammu and Kashmir often called 鈥渕ini Switzerland.鈥� A group of five to six terrorists, dressed in Indian army fatigues, emerged from a forest and opened fire on unarmed tourists.

According to eyewitnesses and survivors, the attackers reportedly asked victims to recite Islamic verses鈥攕hooting those who could not, including an Indore resident, Sushil Nathaniel, who said he was Christian.

26 killed, including Indian and foreign nationals

The attack left 26 people dead. Among the victims were Navy officer Vinay Narwal, local pony operator Syed Adil Hussain, and tourists from Nepal and the UAE. Children and families enjoying a peaceful day in the meadow were caught in the 10-minute assault, which saw bullets fired at three separate locations.

Pakistan-based TRF claims responsibility

The militant group The Resistance Front (TRF), widely recognised as an offshoot of Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, claimed responsibility for the attack. Former Indian security officials have pointed fingers at Pakistan鈥檚 Special Services Group (SSG), calling the strike a well-planned, Hamas-style assault aimed at triggering fear and communal unrest.

India suspends Indus Water Treaty

Following the attack, Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a high-level security meeting. India has suspended the Indus Waters Treaty and revoked travel privileges for Pakistani nationals under the SAARC visa scheme.