For Brigadier Deep Bhagat (Retd.), Shopian was a place where every move was carefully planned, guns in hand and danger always close at hand.

Years later, the same roads welcomed him again but this time on a bicycle, without any security, without any armor. The contrast excited him.

In a video shared on Instagram, Bhagat, who served in the Indian Army for nearly 30 years and also worked as an instructor at a commando school, spoke of returning to Jammu and Kashmir’s Shopian district, where he operated during the height of militancy in the 1990s and early 2000s.

“I am entering Shopian and I could never have imagined that I would come back here in my lifetime without weapons and protection. Never. Never,” he said in the video. He added that the soldiers who fought militancy in those years would not have believed that such a moment was possible.

Bhagat said returning to the area brought back old memories of a time when violence and fear were common and cross-border terrorism was at its peak. He admitted that it felt strange to be in the same place without the tension he lived with before. At the same time, he said that the current situation made him happy.

Captioning the video, Bhagat reflected on how his relationship with Kashmir has changed over the years. “Two decades ago, I was operating in Kashmir as a soldier in combat gear and armed. Two years ago, I returned on my bike, as a tourist. No weapon. No protection. Just open roads and open hearts,” he wrote.

Describing Shopian as a place “whispering in tension,” Bhagat said he was deeply moved by the calm and warmth he experienced during his visit. “Shopian, once a name whispered in tension, has today welcomed me in peace. This is what change looks like. This is what hope feels like. Kashmir is not what it was in the 90s and 2000s. And that makes me deeply proud,” he added.

The post struck a chord with many social media users, who credited Bhagat and other security personnel for the change they see today. One user wrote: “It is the result of strong political will backed by dedicated forces… You have left a mark on the valley that smiles today.” Another commented: “All thanks to you and your brave team sir… happy riding…” A third user added: “All thanks to your efforts on your day sir,” while another wrote: “The coolest guys at Para are the reason for this development.”