Kashmiri Carpets and Kashmiri Killings

This is Rahil Singhe, at Viewpoint Arts Emporium in Madurai - a purveyor of fine Kashmiri handknotted silk carpets. Singhe grew up in Kashmir. 

The carpet in front of him is a special design, a woven representation of Dul Lake, a lake in Kashmir that he used to swim in as a child. 

Kashmir has not been a peaceful place since India and Pakistan started fighting over it in 1947.

But Wednesday, India launched on offensive in Kashmir  that killed 25 people: an effort to retaliate against Pakistan-based "Lashkar e Taiba," the militant group blamed for last year's attack on Mumbai. 

It's easy to forget, when you're in Madurai, with it's temples and it's sweet, kind NGO workers, about the tensions that exist in the North of the country.  

It's easy to believe that carpets are just carpets.