Deadly Terrorist Attack Rocks Pahalgam, Claims 28 Lives
A devastating terrorist attack struck the serene Baisaran meadow, known as "mini Switzerland," near Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, leaving at least 28 people dead, including 25 Indians, one Nepali citizen, and two others from the UAE and Nepal. The attack, one of the deadliest in the region since the 2019 Pulwama bombing, has sparked national outrage and prompted swift diplomatic and security responses from the Indian government.
The assault occurred around 3 PM when a group of seven terrorists, including four to five suspected Pakistani nationals, opened fire on unsuspecting tourists in the remote meadow, accessible only by foot or pony. The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), claimed responsibility for the attack. Reports suggest the attackers used military-grade weapons and communication devices, with intelligence pointing to infiltration from the Pir Panjal range. Disturbing videos captured the chaos, with gunshots and screams echoing through the scenic valley as tourists scrambled for safety.
Among the victims were Santosh Jagdale and Kaustubh Ganbote, close friends from Pune on their first group holiday, and Lt. Vinay Narwal, a 26-year-old newlywed Indian Navy officer vacationing with his wife. A local hero, pony ride operator Syed Adil Hussain Shah, was killed while attempting to snatch a rifle from a terrorist to protect tourists. The attack also claimed six lives from Maharashtra, highlighting the diverse group of victims, predominantly male tourists.
Eyewitnesses reported that the attackers fired for 25-30 minutes, with some alleging the terrorists asked victims their religion before shooting. The lack of security on the 5.5-km Pahalgam-Baisaran route has raised questions, as no police pickets were present despite heavy tourist footfall. Anantnag police have announced a ₹20 lakh reward for information on the perpetrators, and security forces are conducting a major manhunt across the region.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, cutting short his Saudi Arabia visit, condemned the attack as a "heinous act" and vowed justice. The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) met on Wednesday, April 23, and announced a five-point action plan targeting Pakistan, including suspending the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, closing the Attari-Wagah border, and expelling Pakistani military envoys. Diplomatic ties have been downgraded, with both countries’ high commissions reduced to 30 staff by May 1, 2025. India summoned Pakistan’s Charge d’Affaires, declaring its military diplomats Persona Non Grata.
Global leaders, including Nepal’s K.P. Sharma Oli, Sri Lanka’s Anura Kumara Dissanayake, and U.S. President Donald Trump, expressed solidarity, while China and Pakistan condemned the attack but faced scrutiny for their roles in regional terrorism. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh warned of a “strong response,” and Home Minister Amit Shah visited the site and hospitals, assuring that the perpetrators “will not be spared.”
The attack has crippled Kashmir’s tourism industry, with up to 90% of travel bookings canceled, and airlines like SpiceJet offering waivers for Srinagar flights. Kashmiris, including traders and political leaders like Sajad Lone, held candlelight vigils, with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah attending Hussain’s funeral to console his family. The Supreme Court and its Bar Association condemned the “cowardly” act, observing a two-minute silence.
As India mourns, protests have erupted from Srinagar to Jammu, with citizens demanding action. The government has called an all-party meeting today, April 24, to forge a unified response. The nation remains on high alert, with security beefed up at tourist spots nationwide, as the pursuit of justice intensifies.
Sources: NDTV, Al Jazeera, The Indian Express, The Times of India, Deccan Herald, The Hindu, India Today, Hindustan Times, CBS News
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