Pahalgam: targeted Killing of 28 innocent people in Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir.
A targeted killing was carried out by militant in Pahalgam on 22 April 2025. A renowned tourist destination in Jammu and Kashmir witnessed one of the worst targeted killing by terrorist by asking their name , verifying with Identity Card and shooting in front of their kith and kin.
The cowardice attack led to 27 deaths and atleast 17 injured and fighting for their lives. This is deadliest civilian attack after 26/11 Mumbai attack.
Details of terror attack
On Tuesday, 22 April 2025 at around 2.50pm terrorist attacked in the Baisaran meadow near Pahalgam in Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir. This is a remote tourist spot accessible by foot or pony only. The area was crowded with tourist enjoying weather after days of rain.
According to eyewitnesses, the gunmen in military style uniform emerged from nearby forests and opened fire on the tourists. Attackers posed as policeman and asked names before to verify where abouts and suddenly opening fire. As per witnesss militant singled out Non-muslims asking them to recite Kalma and even pants were put down to check circumcision and on verifying were shot. It was a targeted killing of Hindus. All of them were tourist , two locals and two foreign nationals were killed as per the media reports in print .
Perpetrators of Pahalgam
A group identifying itself as Kashmir Resistance claimed responsibility for the attack. Even The Resistance Front (TRF) a shadow group of banned Lashkar-e-Taiba (Pakistan based) also claimed the responsibility of attack. Terrorist outfit inside and outside India are in hurry to claim the reponsibility as this is a successful terrorist attack after many years. Thier claim is around 85000 outsiders have settled in J&K and they will not allow them to settle here.
Response
Home Minister Amit Shah flew to Srinagar on the same evening. Prime Minister Narendra Modi cut short his international trip from Saudi Arab and reached New Delhi in the night. Finance Minister also cancelled her visit and returned to India. CCS meeting is scheduled.
A massive search operation involving Armed Forces , Para military forces and local police launched to apprehend the assailant. Pakistan have violated ceasefire on Line of Control and retaliatory response is on. Paramilitary Forces beefed up. Special flights are arranged for victims .
Global leaders, including UN secretary -General Antonio Guterres, US Prsident , Donald Trump, Russian president Vladimir Putin and others condemned the attack.
Local newspaper , all has black front page and solidarity march was carried out across states. People all around the nation are angry and candle was lit for departed soul.
Impact
This seems very well thought and planned targeted killing to disrupt tourist inflow in Jammu and Kashmir. Abrogation of 370 led to peace in J&K . The peace in J&K was not went well with terrorist outfit in India as well as in Pakistan. Tourist pick season has just started and this attack will lead to disruption of tourist and will affect people of J&K more than anyone else. Pakistan does not want a peaceful J&K.
Conclusion
This incident challenges the narrative of normalcy in the region, which had seen a decline in violence and a boost in tourism since the revocation of Kashmir’s special status in 2019. India is definitely going to retaliate this in which way yet to be seen. Cabinet Committee on security is meeting to decide the further course of action. But one thing is very clear, tourist will not visit J&K in same number and it will affect people of jammu and Kashmir who solely depend on Tourism.
Great