Jump to content

2025 Pahalgam attack

Coordinates: 34°00′13″N 75°20′01″E / 34.00361°N 75.33361°E / 34.00361; 75.33361
Extended-protected article
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

2025 Pahalgam attack
Part of the insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir
View of the Valley where the attack occured
Pahalgam is located in Jammu and Kashmir
Pahalgam
Pahalgam
Pahalgam (Jammu and Kashmir)
Location of the attack in Jammu and Kashmir
LocationBaisaran Valley, Pahalgam, Anantnag district, Jammu and Kashmir
Coordinates34°00′13″N 75°20′01″E / 34.00361°N 75.33361°E / 34.00361; 75.33361
Date22 April 2025
TargetHindu tourists
Attack type
Mass shooting
Mass murder
Islamist terrorism
WeaponsAK-47s, M4 carbines
Deaths26[1]
Injured20+
VictimsSee casualties
Perpetrators
No. of participants
5
MotiveOpposition to alleged non‑local settlement in Kashmir

On 22 April 2025, a terrorist[3][4][5] attack at Baisaran Valley near Pahalgam in the Anantnag district of Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir killed at least 26 tourists and injured more than 20 others.[6] The attack, the deadliest of its kind in India since the 2008 Mumbai attacks,[2] specifically targeted male Hindu tourists,[7][8] and was reportedly aimed at resisting demographic changes in the Kashmir Valley. The Resistance Front (TRF), an offshoot of the Pakistan-based, UN designated terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba,[9] claimed responsibility for the attack.[2]

Background

An Islamist armed insurgency broke out in Jammu and Kashmir in the late 1980s, which resulted in the exodus of Kashmiri Hindus from the region and the insurgency has been ongoing since.[10] In August 2019, the Indian Government revoked the state's special status, and divided into two union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.[11] This move empowered local authorities to issue domicile status to people who did not earlier qualify, allowing them to buy land and obtain jobs in the territory.[12] According to Forbes, Kashmir was amongst the most militarised zones in the world.[13] Following the revocation of the region's limited autonomy, India began a massive crackdown in the region. This led to a deterioration of India's relations with Pakistan amid the ongoing Kashmir dispute.[14][15]

Attack

On 22 April 2025 at 14:50, five militants entered the Baisaran Valley meadow, which is located about 7 km (4.3 mi) from the Pahalgam town in Anantnag district.[16] The area is surrounded by dense pine forests on all sides, and is a popular spot for tourists[17] and only accessible by foot or horseback.[7] The region was not heavily protected.[18] The attackers carried M4 carbines and AK-47s and wore military-style uniforms.[19][20]

Reports indicated that the attackers asked for names and religions of the victims before shooting them.[21] Some of the tourists said that they were asked to recite the Islamic verse of kalima, so that the militants could segregate them by religion.[22][23] Men were forced to remove their trousers to check for a lack of circumcision before being shot at close range, and video footage from the scene showed scenes of panic with injured victims pleading for help and bodies strewn across the ground.[24][25][26] A local Kashmiri pony operator, Syed Adil Hussain Shah, reportedly tried to protect the tourists and wrestle the gun from one of the attackers before being shot and killed.[27][28] Accounts from survivors indicated that an attacker spared a woman telling that she was being spared so she could "narrate the horrors" to the Indian prime minister Narendra Modi.[29][30]

Casualties

At least 26 civilians were killed in the attack, including 23 people from several Indian states, one from Jammu and Kashmir, and two foreign tourists from Nepal and the United Arab Emirates.[31][32] At least 20 others were injured.[33][34] Witnesses stated that most of the victims were male, and the dead included those from the Indian states of Arunachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Odisha, Gujarat, Haryana, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh, as well as injured from Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra.[35][36][37] The casualties included an Indian Navy officer and an Intelligence Bureau official.[38][39]

Aftermath

In the aftermath, locals assisted in the rescue effort and offered shelter to victims.[40][41] Members of local pony-handlers association rescued 11 injured tourists on ponies and improvised stretchers.[42] Emergency services arrived at the scene after news of the attack reached district headquarters. Two critically injured victims were taken to the district hospital at Anantnag at around 16:30, while others were transported to nearby medical centres. The critically injured were airlifted to a military hospital in Srinagar by a helicopter for further treatment.[43] A helpline was established to assist affected tourists.[44]

A joint cordon and search operation was launched by the Army, paramilitary forces, and Jammu and Kashmir Police. A temporary lockdown was imposed in Pahalgam, and Indian Army helicopters were deployed to track down the militants, who reportedly fled to the upper reaches of the Pir Panjal range.[45][46]

Insurgency

On the same area of operations, an Indian soldier was killed and two other soldiers were wounded in clashes with insurgents.[47]

Responsibility

The attack was claimed by The Resistance Front (TRF), a rebel group founded in 2019 in Kashmir, after India abrogated Kashmir's special status.[48] TRF stands out from other Kashmiri rebel groups as it has an English name,[49] in contrast to "traditional" Kashmiri rebel groups that have more Islamic names. TRF aims to project a focus on Kashmiri nationalism.[49] TRF says it is an independent resistance group,while the Indian government believes it to be an offshoot of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba.[48] TRF has cited the settlement of what it said were over 85,000 non-Kashmiris, that it claims was driving a demographic change, as a major grievance driving the attack.[50]

The attackers stated that the reason for the attack was the settlement of non-Kashmiris in the Kashmir valley which they claimed was driving a demographic change.[51][52] Intelligence agencies later identified Saifullah Kasuri (alias Khalid), a top LeT commander, as the mastermind of the massacre.[53]

Response

Government

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi cut short his visit to Saudi Arabia and returned to India to chair a meeting on the issue.[54] Union home minister Amit Shah travelled to Srinagar to assess the situation and coordinate the security response, and later traveled to the site of the attack.[55] On 23 April, the Indian Army gave limited clearance for the operation of the grounded HAL Dhruv for counter-terrorism operations.[56] On 24 April, the Central government convened the all-party meeting to brief opposition leaders in the aftermath of this gruesome terror attack.[57]

Diplomatic

On the night of 23 April, the Committee on Security (CCS) meeting was held under the Chairmanship of the Prime Minister. After this meeting, the Indian foreign secretary, Vikram Misri held a special press briefing with the Cabinet Committee on Security.

He announced India's decision to temporarily suspend the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan with immediate effect until Pakistan ceases its support for cross-border terrorism.[58] He further announced the closure of the integrated check post at Attari–Wagah Border, a travel ban for all Pakistani nationals to India under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme, and cancellation of all previously issued visas.

Additionally, Pakistani military advisers at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi were expelled, while their Indian counterparts in Islamabad were withdrawn, and the staff strength of the Indian High Commission in Islamabad was reduced from 55 to a minimum of 30. The posts of such military advisors were deemed abolished. [59][60]

Investigations

The National Investigation Agency initiated an investigation into the attack after visiting the site on 23 April.[61][62] Based on eyewitness testimonies, the Jammu and Kashmir Police released the sketches of three of the militants believed to have been involved in the attack.[63][64] The police further stated that all of them were linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba and at least two are foreigners.[65] The suspects were identified as Asif Fauji, Suleman Shah, and Abu Talha, known by their code names Moosa, Yunus, and Asif respectively. All of them have been linked to previous militancy-related incidents in the Poonch region.[66]

Reactions

Domestic

Following the attack, an increase in the number of visitors leaving Jammu and Kashmir was recorded, prompting Air India to operate additional flights to the region.[67] Protests were held in many parts of India condemning the attack.[68]

The attack drew immediate widespread condemnation from political leaders and the civil society. Indian president Droupadi Murmu called it a "dastardly and inhuman act."[69] Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar called the act "reprehensible" and condemned it.[69] Prime Minister Modi termed the attack as "shocking and painful" and said that those responsible would be brought to justice.[70]

Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Omar Abdullah described the incident as "much larger than anything we've seen directed at civilians in recent years."[71] Defence Minister Rajnath Singh labeled it an "act of cowardice."[69] The leader of the opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, described the attack as "horrific" and emphasised support for the victims, while also criticising the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party.[72]

International reactions

See also: 2025 India–Pakistan diplomatic crisis

The attack drew condemnations and statements of condolences to the victims from several other countries including Iran, Israel, Italy, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the United States, and India's neighbours including Bangladesh, Bhutan, China and Sri Lanka.[73][74][75] The United Nations and the European Union also issued similar statements.[76][77]

Pakistan's Foreign Ministry expressed condolences to the families of the victims,[78] and its defence minister Khawaja Asif dismissed the allegations of his country's involvement in the attack and stated "This is all home-grown, there are revolutions in different so-called states against India, not one, not two, but dozens, from Nagaland to Kashmir, in the south, in Chattisgarh, in Manipur. In all these places, there are revolutions against the Indian government."[79][80]

Pakistan also warned India of a comprehensive retaliation in response to the actions announced by the Indian government in the aftermath of the incident.[81] On 24 April, Pakistan suspended visas issued to Indian nationals and closed its airspace to Indian aircraft.[82] An Indian Border Security Force soldier belonging to the 182nd battalion of the BSF was captured by Pakistan Rangers after he accidentally entered Pakistani held territory at the Ferozepur border.[83][84][85]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Statement by Foreign Secretary on the decision of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS)". mea.gov.in. Retrieved 23 April 2025.
  2. ^ a b c "What is The Resistance Front, the militant group linked to Pahalgam attack?". Reuters. Shilpa Jamkhandikar. Retrieved 24 April 2025.
  3. ^ "Alert: U. S. Embassy New Delhi, India (April 23, 2025)". in.usembassy.gov. Retrieved 23 April 2025.
  4. ^ "No: 89, 22 April 2025, Regarding the Terrorist Attack in Jammu and Kashmir". mfa.gov.tr. Retrieved 22 April 2025.
  5. ^ "Terrorist Attacks in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir on 22 April 2025". mfa.gov.sg. Retrieved 23 April 2025.
  6. ^ "US-based techie, IAF official among 26 killed in attack. Who were the victims?". India Today. 23 April 2025.
  7. ^ a b "Dozens killed as gunmen massacre tourists in Kashmir beauty spot". Esha Mitra, Mukhtar Ahmad, Aishwarya S Iyer, Kara Fox and Jessie Yeung. CNN. Retrieved 23 April 2025.
  8. ^ "Kashmir Horror: Tourists Targeted Based on Religion in Pahalgam Attack". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 24 April 2025.
  9. ^ "LASHKAR-E-TAYYIBA". un.org. Retrieved 23 August 2010.
  10. ^ "Rights Abuses Behind Kashmir Fighting – Human Rights Watch". hrw.org. 16 July 1999. Archived from the original on 19 October 2008. Retrieved 25 June 2015.
  11. ^ "Article 370: India Supreme Court upholds repeal of Kashmir's special status". BBC News. 11 December 2023. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  12. ^ "From Domicile to Dominion: India's Settler Colonial Agenda in Kashmir". Harvard Law Review. May 2021. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  13. ^ Singh, Rani (12 July 2016). "Kashmir: The World's Most Militarized Zone, Violence After Years Of Comparative Calm". Forbes. Retrieved 23 April 2025.
  14. ^ "At least 20 feared killed in militant attack on tourists in Indian Kashmir, security sources say". Reuters. 23 April 2025. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  15. ^ Raj, Suhasini; Mashal, Mujib (23 April 2025). "Killing of Civilians Near Pahalgam in Kashmir Shatters Illusion of Calm". The New York Times. Retrieved 23 April 2025.
  16. ^ "Probe indicates 5 terrorists, including 3 from Pakistan, behind Pahalgam attack". The Indian Express. 23 April 2025. Retrieved 23 April 2025.
  17. ^ "Rough terrain, no security: Why attackers chose Pahalgam's Baisaran". India Today. 23 April 2025. Retrieved 23 April 2025.
  18. ^ More, Manoj Dattatreya (23 April 2025). "Saw no security personnel from Baisaran to Pahalgam during J-K visit: Pimpri tourists". The Indian Express. Retrieved 23 April 2025.
  19. ^ "Terrorists were wearing camouflage outfits, carried M4 carbine, AK-47s, fired 70 rounds: Initial probe". The Indian Express. 23 April 2025. Archived from the original on 23 April 2025. Retrieved 23 April 2025.
  20. ^ "Gunmen kill at least 26 in Indian-administered Kashmir: Police". Al Jazeera. 22 April 2025. Retrieved 22 April 2025.
  21. ^ Singh, Vijaita (23 April 2025). "Terrorists kept firing for 25–30 minutes, recalls Pahalgam eyewitness". The Hindu. Retrieved 23 April 2025.
  22. ^ Bukhari, Fayaz (23 April 2025). "Militants in Indian Kashmir segregate men from women and children before opening fire". Reuters. Retrieved 24 April 2025.
  23. ^ Arora, Mansi (22 April 2025). "'Asked to recite Islamic verse': Tourists recall horror after Pahalgam terror attack". Wion. Archived from the original on 22 April 2025. Retrieved 22 April 2025.
  24. ^ "Pahalgam attack: New images show execution-style killings of tourists". The Hindustan Times. 24 April 2025. Retrieved 24 April 2025.
  25. ^ "Pahalgam Terror Attack: Chilling Video Shows Moment Tourists Attacked By Terrorists". Zee News. 23 April 2025. Retrieved 23 April 2025.
  26. ^ "Pahalgam attack: Terrorists checked IDs, pulled down pants to verify religion, eyewitnesses recount horror". India TV News. 23 April 2025. Retrieved 24 April 2025.
  27. ^ "Pahalgam pony operator dies protecting tourist, tackles armed terrorist". Business Standard. 23 April 2025. Retrieved 23 April 2025.
  28. ^ "Syed Adil Hussain: Hero Pahalgam pony ride operator who tried to stop terrorist". India Today. 23 April 2025. Retrieved 23 April 2025.
  29. ^ "'Go tell this to Modi', Pahalgam attacker told me after killing my husband: Karnataka survivor – 'Go tell this to Modi', Pahalgam attacker told me after killing my husband: Karnataka survivor". Business Today. 22 April 2025. Retrieved 23 April 2025.
  30. ^ "Terrorists cursed Modi, asked my father to recite Islamic verse before shooting him: Daughter". The Hindu. 23 April 2025. Retrieved 23 April 2025.
  31. ^ "5 Killers, 3 Spots, 10 Minutes Of Heavy Fire: How Pahalgam Attack Unfolded". www.ndtv.com.
  32. ^ Hari, Ravi (22 April 2025). "'Brutal crime has no justification': Vladimir Putin on terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam". Mint. HT Media. Archived from the original on 22 April 2025. Retrieved 22 April 2025.
  33. ^ "Many feared dead in gun attack on tourists in Indian-controlled Kashmir". AP News. 22 April 2025. Archived from the original on 22 April 2025. Retrieved 22 April 2025.
  34. ^ "Kashmir Terror Attack Updates: 28 Killed In J&K's Worst Terror Attack In Recent Times, Say Sources". NDTV. 22 April 2025. Retrieved 22 April 2025.
  35. ^ "Recently married IAF officer from Arunachal among 26 killed in Pahalgam terror attack". The New Indian Express. 23 April 2025. Retrieved 23 April 2025.
  36. ^ "Kerala man among victims of Pahalgam terror attack". Mathrubhumi. 22 April 2025. Retrieved 22 April 2025.
  37. ^ "Pahalgam Terror Attack: How Trump, Putin, Meloni, Other World Leaders Reacted To Kashmir Killings". Zee News. 22 April 2025. Retrieved 23 April 2025.
  38. ^ "Intelligence Bureau Officer Shot In Front Of Wife, Children In J&K Attack". NDTV. 22 April 2025. Retrieved 22 April 2025.
  39. ^ "Indian Navy Officer among 26 killed in Pahalgam terror attack". Mathrubhumi. 22 April 2025. Retrieved 22 April 2025.
  40. ^ Kaiser, Ezaj (23 April 2025). "Kashmiri trader saves four families from Chhattisgarh during Pahalgam terror attack". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 23 April 2025.
  41. ^ Khosa, Aasha (24 April 2025). "Nazakat saved 11 tourists from Chhattisgarh amid Pahalgam attack". Awaaz The Voice. Archived from the original on 24 April 2025. Retrieved 24 April 2025.
  42. ^ Zargar, Anees (23 April 2025). "'I only thought of the injured': Ponywalla rushes to save lives after Pahalgam carnage". The News Minute. Archived from the original on 23 April 2025. Retrieved 23 April 2025.
  43. ^ "J&K: Tourist Killed, Several Hurt in Attack on Pahalgam Health Resort". The Wire. 22 April 2025. Archived from the original on 22 April 2025. Retrieved 22 April 2025.
  44. ^ "Pahalgam attack live updates: At least 12 tourists injured, multiple deaths feared". The Hindustan Times. 22 April 2025. Retrieved 22 April 2022.
  45. ^ "Pahalgam Terror Attack: Army, CRPF, J&K Cops Cordon Area, Search Operations On". India Today. 23 April 2025. Retrieved 23 April 2025.
  46. ^ "Pahalgam terror attack LIVE: PM Modi to return to India cutting short Saudi Arabia visit; Navy Officer among 26 killed". The Hindu. 22 April 2025. Archived from the original on 22 April 2025. Retrieved 22 April 2025.
  47. ^ "Who was Havildar Jhantu Ali Shaikh martyred in Udhampur ops?". 24 April 2025.
  48. ^ a b "The Resistance Front: The banned organisation behind Pahalgam terror attack". The Hindu. 23 April 2025. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 24 April 2025.
  49. ^ a b Sharma, Yashraj. "What is The Resistance Front, the group claiming the deadly Kashmir attack?". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 24 April 2025.
  50. ^ "At least 20 feared killed in militant attack on tourists in Indian Kashmir, security sources say". CNBC. 22 April 2025.
  51. ^ "At least 20 feared killed in militant attack on tourists in Indian Kashmir, security sources say". CNBC. 22 April 2025. Retrieved 24 April 2025.
  52. ^ "Pahalgam: What's 'The Resistance Front', LeT 'proxy' behind the deadliest terror attack on tourists in Kashmir?". Live Mint. 22 April 2022. Archived from the original on 22 April 2025. Retrieved 22 April 2025.
  53. ^ "Top Lashkar commander planned Pahalgam carnage that left 26 dead: Sources". India Today. 23 April 2025. Retrieved 23 April 2025.
  54. ^ Mitra, Esha; Ahmad, Mukhtar; Iyer, Aishwarya S; Fox, Kara; Yeung, Jessie (22 April 2025). "Dozens killed as gunmen massacre tourists in Kashmir beauty spot". CNN. Archived from the original on 23 April 2025. Retrieved 23 April 2025.
  55. ^ "Union Home Minister Amit Shah Visits Baisaran Meadow, Site Of Attack". NDTV. 23 April 2025. Retrieved 23 April 2025.
  56. ^ "Army gives limited permission for grounded ALH Dhruv choppers for counter-terror ops in Srinagar, adjoining areas". The Economic Times. 23 April 2025. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 23 April 2025.
  57. ^ "At all-party meet, government admits to security lapses in Pahalgam: Sources". Mausami Singh, Sahil Sinha. India Today. Retrieved 24 April 2025.
  58. ^ "Indus Waters Treaty paused, no entry to Pakistanis: India responds to J&K attack". India Today. 23 April 2025. Archived from the original on 24 April 2025. Retrieved 23 April 2025.
  59. ^ "Kashmir attack: India downgrades ties with Pakistan". Deutsche Welle. 24 April 2025. Retrieved 24 April 2025.
  60. ^ "India closes main border crossing with Pakistan after Kashmir attack". BBC News. 24 April 2025. Retrieved 24 April 2025.
  61. ^ "NIA Probe: IG-Led Team Heads to Pahalgam After Deadly Terror Attack". Deccan Herald. 23 April 2025. Retrieved 23 April 2025.
  62. ^ "26 Killed In Pahalgam Terror Attack, NIA Team On Site: What We Know So Far". NDTV. 23 April 2025. Retrieved 23 April 2025.
  63. ^ "Killers Of Pahalgam: Sketches Of 3 Terrorists Behind Attack Revealed". NDTV. 23 April 2025. Retrieved 23 April 2025.
  64. ^ "Sketches of terrorists who killed 26 Pahalgam tourists released". India Today. 23 April 2025. Retrieved 23 April 2025.
  65. ^ "Security forces release sketches, photos of terrorists who carried out Pahalgam attack". The Statesman. IANS. 23 April 2025. Retrieved 23 April 2025.
  66. ^ "J&K Police releases sketches of 3 terrorists linked to Pahalgam attack that killed 26". Live Mint. 23 April 2025. Retrieved 23 April 2025.
  67. ^ "Tourists flee India-administered Kashmir after deadly attack". France 24. 23 April 2025. Retrieved 23 April 2025.
  68. ^ Hassan, Aakash; Beaumont, Peter (22 April 2025). "At least 28 tourists killed by suspected militants in Kashmir attack". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 22 April 2025.
  69. ^ a b c "President Murmu, VP Dhankhar, PM Modi term Pahalgam terror attack shocking, painful". All India Radio. 23 April 2025. Retrieved 23 April 2025.
  70. ^ "Prime Minister strongly condemns the terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir". Press Information Bureau. 22 April 2025. Archived from the original on 22 April 2025. Retrieved 22 April 2025.
  71. ^ "Pahalgam terrorist attack 'much larger than anything seen directed at civilians in recent years': J&K CM Omar Abdullah". The Hindu. 23 April 2025. Retrieved 23 April 2025.
  72. ^ "'Act of war': What happened in Kashmir attack that killed 26 tourists?". Al Jazeera. 23 April 2025. Archived from the original on 23 April 2025. Retrieved 23 April 2025.
  73. ^ "India's neighbours condemn Pahalgam attack". The Hindustan Times. 23 April 2025. Retrieved 23 April 2025.
  74. ^ "From Trump to Meloni, how world leaders reacted to 'heinous' Pahalgam terror attack". The Hindustan Times. 23 April 2025. Retrieved 23 April 2025.
  75. ^ "How World Reacted To Terror Attack In Kashmir That Left 26 Dead". NDTV. 23 April 2025. Retrieved 23 April 2025.
  76. ^ "Guterres condemns deadly attack in Jammu and Kashmir". United Nations. 23 April 2025. Retrieved 23 April 2025.
  77. ^ "Pahalgam massacre: UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres strongly condemns the terror attack". The Hindu. 23 April 2025. Retrieved 23 April 2025.
  78. ^ "Afghan Taliban Condemns Pahalgam Terror Attack, Says It Undermines Regional Security". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 24 April 2025.
  79. ^ "Pakistans 1st reaction To Pahalgam terror attack, says nothing to do with It". The Tribune. 23 April 2025. Retrieved 23 April 2025.
  80. ^ "Pahalgam massacre: In first reaction, Pakistan defends terrorism in Kashmir, says 'locals acting against govt". Firstpost. 23 April 2025. Retrieved 23 April 2025.
  81. ^ "Pakistan to respond to India's actions comprehensively: Dar". Samaa. 24 April 2025. Retrieved 24 April 2025.
  82. ^ "Pakistan suspends visas for Indians after deadly Kashmir attack on tourists". BBC. 24 April 2025. Retrieved 24 April 2025.
  83. ^ "BSF soldier arrested by Pakistan Rangers". The News.
  84. ^ "BSF jawan in Pakistan custody after accidental border crossing: Sources". India Today. 24 April 2025.
  85. ^ "Indian BSF soldier arrested on Pakistani soil". GEO TV.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=2025_Pahalgam_attack&oldid=1287239338"