L-G Sinha inaugurates Veshow festival in Kulgam amid CRPF attack nearby
Synopsis
On the same day L-G Manoj Sinha inaugurated the Rishi-Sufi Veshow cultural festival in Kulgam, two motorcycle-borne terrorists fired on a CRPF party in Mir Bazar in the same district, injuring three personnel — the district's first reported terror attack in over three months. The contrast captures south Kashmir's contested reality in a single day.
Key Takeaways
L-G Manoj Sinha inaugurated the Veshow festival in Kulgam on 11 November 2026 , celebrating the region's Rishi-Sufi heritage.
Two motorcycle-borne terrorists fired on a CRPF party in Akhran, Mir Bazar , injuring three personnel on the same day.
The injured CRPF personnel were shifted to Anantnag GMC hospital for treatment.
Sinha proposed a Veshow Archive , multilingual translations, mobile libraries, and youth-led cultural podcasts to preserve J&K's heritage.
The last terrorist attack in Kulgam before this was on 1 August 2026 , when two labourers were killed in the Kelam area .
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had earlier granted ₹10 lakh ex-gratia each to the kin of those killed in the August Kelam attack.
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday, 11 November 2026 inaugurated the Veshow festival in Kulgam district of south Kashmir, a cultural celebration rooted in the region's centuries-old Rishi-Sufi legacy. The inauguration came on the same day that two motorcycle-borne terrorists opened fire on a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) party in the Akhran area of Mir Bazar in the district, injuring three CRPF personnel.
The Veshow Festival and What L-G Sinha Said
Speaking after the inauguration, L-G Sinha described the festival as 'a vibrant platform for ideas, creativity and cultural dialogue,' in a post on social media platform X. 'Rooted in the timeless Rishi-Sufi legacy of Jammu and Kashmir, the festival celebrates literature, art, heritage and handicraft,' he added.
Sinha also put forward a set of proposals to preserve and promote the region's cultural heritage. He suggested the creation of a Veshow Archive, multilingual translations, mobile libraries, writers' residencies, and youth-led cultural podcasts. Senior CPI-M leader and Kulgam MLA Mohammad Yusuf Tarigami, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Anshul Garg, and other senior police and civil officials attended the event.
CRPF Personnel Injured in Terrorist Attack
Even as the cultural event was under way, two motorcycle-borne terrorists fired upon a CRPF party in the Akhran area of Mir Bazar, injuring three personnel. The injured were evacuated to Anantnag Government Medical College (GMC) hospital for treatment. Authorities have not yet disclosed the condition of the injured as of the time of this report.
The attack is a reminder of the persistent security challenges in Kulgam. Parts of the district — including Mir Bazar, Qazigund, and Shamsipora — lie near key transit corridors linking the Kashmir Valley to Jammu, making road-opening parties and checkpoints recurring targets in hit-and-run firing or grenade attacks, according to security assessments.
Kulgam's Security Context
The upper reaches and forested belts of Kulgam, such as Akhal, have periodically served as hideouts for militants, prompting extended joint operations involving the Jammu and Kashmir Police, the Army's Rashtriya Rifles, CRPF, and Para Commandos. The last recorded terrorist attack in the district before Wednesday was on 1 August 2026, when terrorists killed two labourers in the Kelam area of Kulgam.
Following that attack, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah announced an ex-gratia of ₹10 lakh to the next of kin of each killed labourer, while the administration provided an additional ₹6 lakh in ex-gratia relief to the victims' families.
What the Day Signals for Kashmir
The juxtaposition of a cultural inauguration and a terror attack in the same district on the same day encapsulates the dual reality of Kulgam — and, more broadly, of south Kashmir. While state authorities press ahead with normalcy-signalling events, security forces continue to absorb ground-level threats. The Wednesday attack is the first reported terrorist incident in Kulgam since the 1 August 2026 Kelam killings, ending a gap of roughly three months. How security agencies respond in the coming days will be closely watched.
Point of View
And active counter-terror operations in the same geography. The three-month gap since the Kelam killings was being cited as a sign of improved conditions; Wednesday's attack punctures that narrative. The harder question is whether cultural diplomacy events, however well-intentioned, can substitute for the sustained socioeconomic integration that might eventually reduce the operational space available to militants in transit corridors like Mir Bazar and Qazigund.
NationPress
11 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Veshow festival in Kulgam?
The Veshow festival is a cultural event in Kulgam district of Jammu and Kashmir that celebrates the region's Rishi-Sufi literary and artistic heritage through literature, art, handicrafts, and cultural dialogue. It was inaugurated by L-G Manoj Sinha on 11 November 2026.
What happened in the CRPF attack in Kulgam on 11 November 2026?
Two motorcycle-borne terrorists fired on a CRPF party in the Akhran area of Mir Bazar in Kulgam district, injuring three CRPF personnel. The injured were evacuated to Anantnag Government Medical College hospital for treatment.
When was the previous terrorist attack in Kulgam before this?
The previous recorded terrorist attack in Kulgam was on 1 August 2026, when terrorists killed two labourers in the Kelam area of the district. Wednesday's attack came roughly three months after that incident.
What proposals did L-G Sinha make at the Veshow festival?
L-G Sinha suggested the creation of a Veshow Archive, multilingual translations of regional works, mobile libraries, writers' residencies, and youth-led cultural podcasts to preserve and promote Jammu and Kashmir's rich heritage.
Why is Kulgam considered a sensitive security zone in Kashmir?
Parts of Kulgam district, including Mir Bazar, Qazigund, and Shamsipora, lie near key transit corridors linking the Kashmir Valley to Jammu, making them frequent targets for hit-and-run attacks. The district's forested upper belts have also served as militant hideouts, prompting regular joint operations by J&K Police, Army Rashtriya Rifles, CRPF, and Para Commandos.
