Terror Strikes Pahalgam: Militants Kill 26 Tourists in Brutal Attack Amid Growing Kashmir Tensions
On April 22, 2025, a devastating terrorist attack unfolded in the Baisaran meadow near Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, resulting in the deaths of at least 26 individuals and injuries to over 20 others.
Around 2:50 PM IST, four to six militants, dressed in military-style uniforms, emerged from the surrounding forests and opened fire on a group of tourists. The assailants reportedly posed as security personnel, asking for names and demanding that victims recite the kalma (Islamic declaration of faith). They also checked for circumcision to identify non-Muslims, targeting them specifically. Survivors recounted that most victims were male, with some women being spared to "narrate the horrors" to Indian authorities.
The attack claimed the lives of 26 people, including 24 Indian tourists from various states, two locals from Jammu and Kashmir, and two foreign nationals from Nepal and the United Arab Emirates. Among the deceased were a 26-year-old Indian Navy officer and an Intelligence Bureau official. At least 20 others sustained injuries, some of whom were airlifted to Srinagar for medical treatment.
Perpetrators and Motive
The Resistance Front (TRF), an offshoot of the Pakistan-based militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba, claimed responsibility for the attack. The group cited opposition to alleged demographic changes in the Kashmir Valley due to the settlement of over 85,000 "outsiders" as their motive.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi cut short his visit to Saudi Arabia upon learning of the attack and vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice. Union Home Minister Amit Shah traveled to Srinagar to assess the situation and coordinate the security response. Security forces launched a manhunt to apprehend the attackers, and a helpline was established to assist affected tourists.
The international community condemned the attack, with leaders from the United States, Russia, Italy, and other nations expressing solidarity with India. U.S. Vice President JD Vance, who was on a state visit to India then, extended condolences and support.
