By Anurag Tiwari
On April 22, 2025, a devastating terrorist attack in the Baisaran Valley of Pahalgam, located in the Anantnag district of Jammu & Kashmir, claimed the lives of at least 26 people and left 17 others injured. The incident marks one of the deadliest civilian attacks in the region in recent years.
What Happened in Pahalgam?
At approximately 2:50 PM, four to six terrorists, dressed in military uniforms, arrived in Baisaran Valley—an area accessible only by foot or horseback. Without warning, they opened indiscriminate fire on tourists.
According to eyewitnesses, the assailants initially posed as police officers before launching their assault. Some reports suggest the terrorists asked victims to state their names and recite an Islamic Kalma—those who failed to do so were shot dead. Most of the victims were male. One of the attackers reportedly told a woman that she was being spared so she could “go and tell Prime Minister Narendra Modi about what happened here.”
Who Were the Victims of the Pahalgam Attack?
Among the 26 deceased, 25 were Indian nationals and one was from Nepal. Victims included Yatish Parmar and his son Smit from Bhavnagar, Gujarat, who had traveled to Kashmir to attend a Ram Katha by Morari Bapu. Five tourists from Maharashtra were also killed, including a railway employee from Mumbai’s Parel Workshop.
How the Government Responded to the Pahalgam Tragedy
Prime Minister Narendra Modi strongly condemned the attack and cut short his visit to Saudi Arabia, returning to India immediately. Home Minister Amit Shah assured that the perpetrators would face strict consequences.
In the wake of the attack, security forces launched a large-scale combing operation, detaining nearly 100 suspects. A temporary lockdown was imposed in the region, and helicopters were deployed to aid in tracking down the attackers.
How the World Reacted to the Pahalgam Tragedy
U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance, who were in India at the time, condemned the attack and expressed solidarity with India. Pakistan, while expressing concern, denied any direct involvement in the incident.
Impact and Conclusion
The attack comes during a period of relative peace and growth in tourism in Kashmir, especially since the revocation of the region’s special status in 2019. However, this tragedy has raised serious concerns about security and has instilled fear among both locals and visitors.
Going forward, it is imperative for the government to strengthen security measures and ensure that such incidents are not repeated, restoring confidence in the safety of the region.
FAQ
1. What happened in Pahalgam on April 22, 2025?
On April 22, 2025, a devastating terrorist attack occurred in Baisaran Valley, Pahalgam, located in Anantnag district, Jammu & Kashmir. The attackers, dressed in military uniforms, opened fire indiscriminately on tourists, killing 26 people and injuring 17 others. It became one of the deadliest attacks in the region in recent years.
2. What were the details of the attack in Pahalgam?
The attack took place around 2:50 PM when four to six terrorists arrived in Baisaran Valley, an area accessible only by foot or horseback. Eyewitnesses reported that the attackers initially posed as police officers before launching the assault. Some terrorists demanded victims recite an Islamic Kalma, and those unable to do so were killed. Most victims were male, but one woman was spared with a warning to inform Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the incident.
3. Who were the victims of the Pahalgam attack?
Among the 26 victims, 25 were Indian nationals, and one was from Nepal. Notably, Yatish Parmar and his son Smit from Bhavnagar, Gujarat, were killed. The father and son had come to Kashmir for a Ram Katha by Morari Bapu. Additionally, five tourists from Maharashtra, including a railway employee from Mumbai, were also among the deceased.
4. How did the government respond to the Pahalgam tragedy?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the attack and returned immediately from his trip to Saudi Arabia. Home Minister Amit Shah assured strict action against the perpetrators. Following the attack, security forces launched a large-scale combing operation, arrested nearly 100 suspects, imposed a temporary lockdown in the region, and used helicopters to aid in the search for the attackers.
5. How did the international community react to the Pahalgam attack?
U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance, who were in India at the time, condemned the attack and expressed solidarity with India. While Pakistan expressed concern over the incident, it denied any direct involvement.
6. What impact has this attack had on Kashmir?
The attack occurred at a time when Kashmir had been witnessing a period of relative peace and increased tourism since the revocation of its special status in 2019. However, the attack has raised serious concerns about security in the region and instilled fear among both locals and tourists.
7. What steps should the government take moving forward?
To restore confidence in the region’s safety, it is essential for the Indian government to strengthen security measures, ensure more vigilant monitoring of high-risk areas, and prevent such tragic incidents from occurring again in the future.
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