On April 22, 2025, a coordinated assault by militants in Pahalgam, Kashmir, left 26 people dead and over 20 injured, marking one of the deadliest attacks on civilians in India since 2008. The victims, including Indian nationals and foreign tourists, were ambushed in Baisaran Valley, a popular tourist destination. The assailants, armed with M4 carbines and AK-47s, opened fire indiscriminately, resulting in a massacre that has shocked the nation.
The Resistance Front (TRF), an offshoot of the Pakistan-based militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba, claimed responsibility for the attack. The TRF cited opposition to demographic changes in the region as their motive, alleging that the settlement of non-Kashmiris was altering the region’s demographic composition.
In response, Indian authorities have initiated a comprehensive manhunt to apprehend the perpetrators. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is leading the investigation, with support from the Indian Army and local law enforcement. Security forces have released sketches of three suspects believed to be involved in the attack, two of whom are reportedly Pakistani nationals. The suspects are also linked to previous militancy-related incidents in the Poonch region.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the attack as a “heinous act” and vowed to bring those responsible to justice. The Indian government has also taken diplomatic measures, including downgrading relations with Pakistan, recalling defense staff, reducing embassy personnel, and halting a bilateral water-sharing treaty. Pakistan has denied involvement, with Defense Minister Khawaja Asif attributing the attack to “homegrown terrorists” within India.
The international community has expressed strong condemnation of the attack. World leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Chinese President Xi Jinping, have offered condolences and reaffirmed support for India’s efforts to combat terrorism.
This tragic incident underscores the ongoing volatility in Kashmir, a region that has been a flashpoint between India and Pakistan since 1948. Despite previous efforts to stabilize the region, including the revocation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status in 2019, violence continues to disrupt the lives of its residents and visitors. The latest attack serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing the region and the need for sustained efforts towards peace and security.
Indian policemen fire pellets and tear gas shells at Kashmiri during a protest (AP pic) Via FMT CC 4 0
