Kashmir observes bandh to mourn Pahalgam massacre
Srinagar: Kashmir is observing a shutdown on Wednesday as a mark of grief and protest against the brutal incident in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam where at least 26 people, including tourists, were killed in a terror attack.
Spearheading the protest, the Chamber of Commerce and Industries Kashmir (CCIK), Jammu and Kashmir Hoteliers Club (JKHC), key travel associations, transporters, restaurant owners, and civil society groups called for the Kashmir bandh, urging the public to pause routine activities for a day in solidarity with the victims, as reported by Deccan Herald.
Officials stated that in Srinagar, most shops, fuel stations, and businesses remained shut, with the exception of outlets dealing in essential commodities.
A shutdown is being observed in Kashmir following the killings of tourists in Pahalgam. Political parties, sociopolitical groups and civil society have called for a bandh to protest the innocent killings. pic.twitter.com/Gh9TicA7zl
— Basit Zargar (باسط) (@basiitzargar) April 23, 2025
Tariq Rashid Ghani, President of CCIK, condemned the attack as a “barbaric act of violence” and stressed the need for a collective response to such atrocities.
“This is not just a tragedy — it’s a wake-up call. An attack on tourists is unprecedented and deeply disturbing. We must speak with one voice to condemn this violence and show that Kashmiris reject terror in all forms,” DH quoted Iqbal Tramboo, a Srinagar-based hotelier as saying.
Former Chief Minister and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti expressed deep anguish over the incident and extended her support to the bandh. “A united stand against violence is the need of the hour,” she said.
Peaceful demonstrations were held at several locations in the Valley, where protestors condemned the deadly attack and called for an end to the killing of innocent civilians.
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KSRTC to run 1000 special services to clear Christmas rush
Bengaluru: The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation will operate 1000 additional special services in view of the Christmas festival.
In addition to the existing schedule, the special services will run on 19.12.2025, 20.12.2025 and 24.12.2025. Further, special buses will be operated from various places of intra & Interstate places to Bengaluru on 26.12.2025 & 28.12.2025.
Special buses will be exclusively operated from Bengaluru Kempegowda Bus Station to Dharmastala, Kukkesubramanya, Shivamogga, Hassan, Mangaluru, Kundapura, Shringeri, Horanadu, Davangere, Hubbali, Dharwad, Belagavi, Vijayapura, Gokarna, Sirsi, Karwar, Raichur, Kalaburagi, Ballari, Koppala, Yadgir, Bidar, Tirupathi, Vijayawada, Hyderabad and other places.
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Special buses from Mysuru Road Bus Station will be exclusively operated towards Mysuru, Hunsur, Piriyapatna, Virajpet, Kushalanagar, Madikeri.
The corporation has also announced a discount of 5 per cent on the fare if four or more passengers book tickets under a single reservation. A discount of 10 per cent will be extended on return journey tickets if onward and return tickets are booked simultaneously.
In addition to the above, special buses will be operated from all Taluk/District Bus Stands in the jurisdiction of KSRTC based on the traffic needs.
