Pahalgam Terror Attack: 26 Tourists Killed in Kashmir as Militants Target Civilians in Deadly Assault

In a Pahalgam Terror Attack, 26 Tourists Killed in Kashmir as Militants Target Civilians in Deadly Assault.  Suspected militants opened fire at a popular tourist site in Baisaran Valley, near Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir, on the afternoon of April 22, 2025. The officials described the assault as the deadliest targeting civilians in the region in years, coincided with a high-level diplomatic visit by U.S. Vice-President JD Vance.

Pahalgam Terror Attack: 26 Tourists Killed in Kashmir as Militants Target Civilians in Deadly Assault

Deadliest Civilian Attack in Kashmir in Years Mars Tourist Haven

Believed to be part of a Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) offshoot called The Resistance Front, the attackers, emerged from a dense pine forest and opened indiscriminate fire on holidaymakers gathered in the lush meadow. Baisaran, known for its scenic beauty and often referred to as “mini-Switzerland” turned into a site of horror as armed gunmen unleashed violence in broad daylight.

Attack Claimed by Militants Citing ‘Demographic Change’

Througha social media post, the Resistance Front claimed responsibility for the attack, alleging it was retaliation against the Indian government’s settlement of over 85,000 “outsiders” in the region. The group accused India of altering Kashmir’s demographic composition following the 2019 revocation of its special constitutional status.

Survivors in this chilling account described how the militants selectively targeted Hindu tourists. A female survivor from Pune recounted that after the assailants forced them to recite religious chants, they shot her husband and uncle. She stated, “They said their religion was in danger because of the Hindus,” comparing the assault to the 2008 Mumbai attacks.

Victims Include Indian Tourists and Foreign Nationals

The deceased visitors belonged to the Indian states of Karnataka, Odisha and Gujarat, while two of them were foreign nationals. One among the harrowing stories is that of Pallavi who is a bank manager from Shivamogga, Karnataka. Her husband, Manjunath, was killed, in front of her and their 18-year-old son, Abhijeya.

During a phone interview she said, “I pleaded with the terrorist to kill me too. But he told me, I won’t kill you. Go and tell Modi.” Her powerful testimony highlights the psychological trauma inflicted upon survivors and the targeted nature of the attack.

Eyewitnesses Recount Chaos and Bloodshed

Around 3 p.m. local time, as gunfire rang out, witnesses described scenes of chaos. Initially the gunfire was mistaken for celebratory firecrackers, but the shots soon sent hundreds fleeing in panic. Tourists, posing for photos in traditional attire, some on horseback or were caught off guard.

Waheed, a local tour guide told AFP, “I heard the gunfire and rushed to help. I saw men lying on the ground, covered in blood.” Helicopter services were used to evacuate the injured, as there is no road access, while security forces quickly cordoned off the area to launch a manhunt for the attackers.

National and International Outrage Grows

Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi, was on an official visit to Saudi Arabia. He cut short his trip and returned to India. He condemned the “heinous act” and vowed that the terrorists would “not be spared.”

Modi declared, “Our resolve to fight terrorism is unshakable and will only grow stronger.” In a call with Modi, Former U.S. President Donald Trump expressed his support, while the current U.S. Vice-President JD Vance, offered condolences and condemned the violence. Vance at present is in India for a diplomatic visit.

Political Reactions Across the Spectrum

Leaders across political parties expressed their shock and condemnation. Omar Abdullah, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, called the attack “an abomination” and “larger than anything we’ve seen directed at civilians in recent years.”

Abdullah added, “The perpetrators of this attack are animals, inhuman and worthy of contempt.” Rahul Gandhi, Opposition leader, said he spoke with Amit Shah Union Home Minister and local officials to understand the developing situation.

Kashmir’s Fragile Peace Under Threat

In the ongoing Kashmir conflict, this attack marks a chilling shift, where tourists have generally been spared, despite tensions and sporadic incidents, from direct violence. Long claimed by both India and Pakistan, the region in recent years, has witnessed a steady decline in insurgent attacks, which makes this massacre all the more shocking.

In 2019, the abrogation of Article 370, stripped Jammu and Kashmir of its autonomy and allowed settlement by non-residents, and since then militant violence has taken on a new form which targeted killings of civilians, including migrant workers and now tourists.

Security Tightened, Search for Militants Ongoing

Across the region, particularly in mountainous and forested zones, Indian Army and paramilitary forces have been deployed. Authorities are combing the dense forests for leads as they believe two to three gunmen were involved in the assault. In and around Baisaran, helicopter surveillance and drone monitoring have been ramped up.

The implications of this attack are enormous, with tourist season peaking, and also not just for the families of the victims but for Kashmir’s fragile tourism industry and broader regional security.

The World Watches as Kashmir Mourns

The nation mourns the loss of innocent lives in one of India’s most scenic and politically sensitive regions, as investigations continue. The victims, like Manjunath and countless others, had come seeking beauty and peace while they encountered unimaginable horror.

India and the global community must now reckon with what this attack means for the future of Kashmir and for those who still dream of peace in the valley.

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