Pahalgam Terror Attack Kills 28 Tourists, Sparks Global Outrage
A peaceful afternoon in the picturesque Baisaran Valley of Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, turned into a scene of unimaginable horror on April 22, 2025. What should have been a thrilling spring holiday became a nightmare when gunmen opened fire on innocent tourists, claiming at least 28 lives, and leaving the region — and soon the world — in a state of shock and mourning.
A Picturesque Retreat Turns into a Killing Ground
Around 2:30 PM IST, armed militants ambushed a group of tourists in the lush trails of Baisaran. The attackers, reportedly members of The Resistance Front (TRF) — an offshoot of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) — fired indiscriminately, targeting families and foreign nationals during the peak tourist season in Kashmir.
Among the victims were foreigners of Indian origin, many from popular cities like Pune and Bangalore, visiting the valley during the spring bloom. As terrified voices echoed through the hills, Indian Army units rushed to the spot. By 3:15 PM, the 319 Field Hospital had begun evacuating the injured, even using horseback due to the terrain's difficulty.
Who Is Behind the Attack?
Within an hour, the TRF claimed responsibility. This militant group has strengthened its presence in Kashmir since 2019, following India’s revocation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status. Their agenda: to disrupt demographic change by targeting non-local civilians and tourists.
According to defense experts, the TRF operates with ideological and logistical backing from Pakistan. In an analysis video featuring Maj Gen Bakshi, the group’s connections and radical strategies were examined in depth.
Voices from the Ground: Horror That Will Haunt Forever
Among the survivors was a family from Pune who gave one of the most gut-wrenching accounts to India Today. They vividly recalled the militants' brutality:
They forced Hindus to recite Azan before shooting them... just like 26/11.
This horrifying detail has drawn comparisons to the 2008 Mumbai attacks, igniting social media and sparking national grief and rage.
Leadership Reacts Swiftly
Just hours after the attack, at 5:30 PM IST, Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the tragedy, instructing Home Minister Amit Shah to immediately visit the site and oversee security reforms. Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha issued a strong statement:
Perpetrators will pay a heavy price for this heinous act.
International Condemnation Adds to the Pressure
By early evening, foreign governments began reacting. At 7:00 PM, both the United Arab Emirates and the United States issued official condemnations. The UAE's statement emphasized global intolerance for such violence:
We strongly condemn this cowardly terrorist act targeting innocent civilians.
From 2019 to Now: A Brewing Volatility
The attack is part of a chilling trend since Article 370 was abrogated in August 2019, altering the status of Jammu and Kashmir. Since then, militant outfits have sharpened their focus on tourists and pilgrims to spread fear and obstruct what they see as the region’s integration into mainland India. The 2024 Reasi bus bombing, which killed 17, is a recent example of this escalating violence.
Ongoing Coverage and On-The-Ground Video Reports
Stay tuned through these official reports:
Conclusion
✔️ A chilling reminder of how fragile peace is in conflict zones
✔️ The incident has escalated Kashmir back into global headlines, revealing serious questions about security, political implications, and cross-border militancy
