Overview
On April 22, 2025, a devastating terrorist attack shattered the calm of Pahalgam, one of Kashmir’s most cherished tourist destinations. Nestled in the Anantnag district, Pahalgam is famed for its lush meadows, pine-covered hills, and tranquil atmosphere—ironically dubbed the “Valley of Shepherds.” But on that fateful afternoon, the serenity was violently disrupted by one of the most horrific mass shootings in the region's recent history.
A group of heavily armed militants carried out a premeditated attack on a gathering of tourists at Baisaran meadow, leaving at least 28 dead and 20+ wounded. This chilling act of terror has since become a dark milestone in Kashmir’s long and painful history of insurgency and violence.
The Day of the Attack
The attack occurred in broad daylight—around 2:50 PM local time—when the meadow was bustling with hundreds of domestic and international tourists enjoying pony rides and picnics. The assailants, wearing army-style fatigues, exploited the tourists’ trust, posing as Indian security forces.
Witnesses stated that the attackers calmly approached groups of tourists, demanding identification and asking names. Several survivors confirmed that they were told to recite religious verses or prove their identity in ways that could determine their religion. Those who failed the impromptu “tests” were targeted immediately.
After a short pause that added to the tension, the attackers opened fire using automatic rifles, firing indiscriminately at men, women, and children. Eyewitnesses described scenes of pure chaos—people running, screaming, and falling. In less than 10 minutes, the serene meadow had turned into a blood-soaked battleground.
Target Selection: A Calculated Massacre
Security experts have pointed to the selective targeting during the attack. According to preliminary reports, the attackers were particularly brutal towards non-Muslim men, some of whom were reportedly identified through traditional religious markers.
In one particularly chilling account, a young woman from Kerala said she was spared after reciting a religious phrase, while her brother—who hesitated—was gunned down. “They said, ‘Go and tell this to your Modi,’” she recounted in a hospital bed in Srinagar.
This suggests the assault was not only meant to kill but to send a message—political, religious, and communal—stoking sectarian tensions and challenging the Indian state's control in the region.
Response and Rescue
Security forces, paramedics, and the Indian Army's Rashtriya Rifles responded within 30 minutes, but by then the attackers had disappeared into the nearby pine forest. Injured victims were airlifted via military helicopters to Srinagar’s Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) and Anantnag district hospitals.
Meanwhile, mobile networks in the region were temporarily suspended, and a high alert was issued across south Kashmir. Checkpoints were increased, and military drones were deployed to comb the forest areas around Pahalgam.
Victims and Aftermath
The casualty list paints a grim picture of national mourning. Victims came from states such as:
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Karnataka
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Maharashtra
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Gujarat
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Odisha
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Kerala
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West Bengal
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Uttar Pradesh
Also among the dead were a serving Indian Navy officer, a member of the Intelligence Bureau, and two foreign nationals from Nepal and UAE. This not only highlighted the scale of the tragedy but also exposed how poorly prepared even highly trained officials were for this ambush.
Hospitals in Srinagar were overwhelmed. Medical staff worked round the clock as blood donation drives kicked off in various parts of the Valley and beyond.
Claim of Responsibility and Investigation
The Resistance Front (TRF)—an offshoot of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT)—claimed responsibility for the attack through social media channels. They described it as a "resistance operation against demographic change."
According to Indian intelligence reports, the TRF is believed to be recruiting radicalized youth within Kashmir and receiving logistical support from across the Line of Control (LoC). The use of advanced weapons and GPS trackers suggests the attack was meticulously planned over months.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has taken over the probe, collaborating with local police, RAW, and IB. Several arrests have been made in Shopian and Pulwama, but the main masterminds remain at large as of now.
Political Reactions
The political response was swift and somber.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted, “Every drop of innocent blood will be avenged. This cowardly attack will not go unpunished.”
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Home Minister Amit Shah visited the site within 48 hours and promised a “zero-tolerance response” to terrorism.
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Opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Arvind Kejriwal, expressed condolences but also criticized intelligence lapses.
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Jammu & Kashmir’s Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha declared a three-day mourning period and financial compensation for the victims' families.
Some parties, like the National Conference and PDP, urged restraint and warned against the communalization of the tragedy, calling instead for an urgent national dialogue on Kashmir's future.
International Response
Condemnation came swiftly from across the globe:
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U.S. President Joe Biden said, “The United States condemns this attack in the strongest terms and stands in solidarity with India.”
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Russian President Vladimir Putin called it a “barbaric act of terror.”
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The UN Secretary-General António Guterres reiterated the importance of peace and urged all nations to isolate sponsors of terrorism.
The European Union, UAE, Japan, and even Pakistan’s civil society groups also voiced concern, although Pakistan’s government denied any involvement, calling for a neutral international investigation—a stance India rejected outright.
Tourism, Fear, and Long-Term Impact
This attack comes as a major blow to Kashmir’s struggling tourism sector, which had only recently begun to recover after years of pandemic-related and political disruptions. Travel bookings were immediately cancelled. Airlines and hotel chains saw mass withdrawals. The usually busy streets of Srinagar and Pahalgam fell silent.
Local businesses—pony owners, hoteliers, tour guides—have been hit the hardest. For many, tourism is the only livelihood, and a prolonged dry spell could plunge thousands into poverty.
Moreover, the attack has also reignited debates over the government’s 2019 decision to revoke Article 370 and allow non-locals to buy land in the region. While some see development and integration, others view it as demographic engineering, which groups like TRF claim to be resisting.
Conclusion
The Pahalgam shooting is not just a terror incident—it’s a wake-up call for India and the international community. It raises fundamental questions about intelligence coordination, community resilience, and how best to protect civilians while countering violent extremism.
As India mourns, the focus now must shift toward justice for the victims, support for the survivors, and a renewed strategy that blends security with socio-political healing in one of the world’s most volatile regions.
Let this not be just another footnote in Kashmir’s troubled history—but a turning point for meaningful, lasting peace.
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