Pahalgam Massacre: 28 Tourists Killed in Kashmir’s Deadliest Civilian Attack Since 2019
On April 22, 2025, terrorists attacked the quiet Baisaran field near Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir. The attack was terrible. Twenty-eight tourists were killed and more than twenty were hurt when militants with the Resistance Front (TRF) opened fire on them. This is one of the deadliest attacks on people in the area in the past few years.
Details of the Attack
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Location and Timing
The event took place at 2:30 PM IST in the famous Baisaran field, which is about six kilometers from Pahalgam town. Due to its stunning environment, the region is known as ‘mini Switzerland’, and tourists were packed in, enjoying the better weather after days of rain.
Also read: Gold Prices Surge to ₹1 Lakh per 10 Grams Ahead of Akshaya Tritiya 2025
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Modus Operandi
According to eyewitnesses, four to six terrorists dressed in military clothes came from the adjacent woodlands and began shooting indiscriminately into the gathering. The gunmen pretended to be police officers and asked for names before suddenly opening fire.
They allegedly targeted men while sparing most women. According to eyewitness accounts, the assailants targeted non-Muslims, asking them to recite the kalma and checking for circumcision. Those who failed were shot.
Casualties
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Among the 28 deaths were two Jammu and Kashmir residents, 24 Indian visitors from other states, and two foreign nationals from Nepal and the United Arab Emirates. Those hurt were from Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Gujarat. Notably, a 26-year-old Indian Navy officer and an Intelligence Bureau official were among those killed.
Perpetrators and Motive
The Resistance Front (TRF), a branch of Pakistan’s Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), claimed responsibility for the attack. The organization highlighted objections to the settlement of over 85,000 strangers in the region, which they claim is changing its demographics.
Immediate Response
Government Actions
I strongly condemn the terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. I pray that the injured recover at the earliest. All possible assistance is being provided to those affected.
Those behind this heinous act will be brought…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 22, 2025
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi cut short his visit to Saudi Arabia to come home and confront the problem. Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited Srinagar to examine the situation and coordinate the security response.
Anguished by the terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. My thoughts are with the family members of the deceased. Those involved in this dastardly act of terror will not be spared, and we will come down heavily on the perpetrators with the harshest consequences.…
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) April 22, 2025
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also canceled her official visits to the United States and Peru. Security personnel initiated a manhunt to catch the criminals, and a hotline was set up to aid impacted travelers.
Heart breaking news from Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. No words to express grief. I condemn the terrorist act.
Condolences to all affected families and friends of the deceased. Sincere prayers for the injured to recover fast.
Reiterate the words of PM @narendramodi
“Those behind…— Nirmala Sitharaman (@nsitharaman) April 22, 2025
International Condemnation
The incident was widely condemned by world leaders. U.S. President Donald Trump voiced sympathy with India, stressing that the United States stands firm against terrorism. Russian President Vladimir Putin described the incident as a “brutal crime” with no justification and vowed that the culprits would meet appropriate punishment.
✉️ President of #Russia Vladimir Putin extended condolences to President of #India Droupadi Murmu @rashtrapatibhvn and Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi @narendramodi over the tragic consequences of the terrorist attack in #Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. pic.twitter.com/GXJV7y9VnY
— Russia in India 🇷🇺 (@RusEmbIndia) April 22, 2025
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs both denounced the incident and expressed their sympathies to the victims’ families.
Profondamente addolorata per l’attacco terroristico avvenuto oggi in India, che ha causato numerose vittime. L’Italia esprime vicinanza alle famiglie colpite, ai feriti, al Governo e a tutto il popolo indiano.
— Giorgia Meloni (@GiorgiaMeloni) April 22, 2025
Security Measures and Public Reaction
Following the incident, security authorities implemented a temporary lockdown in portions of Pahalgam and initiated a combined search operation with local police and the Indian Army. Helicopters were dispatched to find the assailants. Protests broke out across Indian-administered Kashmir, with some blaming Pakistan for the event.
Historical Context
Since India split in 1947, the Kashmir area has served as a flashpoint between India and Pakistan. The area has seen multiple insurgency-related occurrences involving various militant organizations opposed to Indian sovereignty. The 2025 Pahalgam incident is reminiscent of prior attacks on civilians, including the 2000 Chittisinghpura slaughter and the 2019 Pulwama bombing.
Also read: Terror Attack in Pahalgam – 12 Tourists Injured Amid Surge in Kashmir Tourism
Conclusion
The April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack highlights Jammu and Kashmir’s ongoing security concerns. The tragedy not only claimed several lives, but it also exposed the region’s persistent tensions. As investigations continue and security measures are strengthened, the emphasis remains on prosecuting the criminals and protecting the protection of citizens in the region.
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