In a shocking escalation of violence, at least 26 tourists are confirmed dead and over 20 others injured after a group of militants opens fire on civilians in the scenic Baisaran Valley near Pahalgam, a popular tourist destination in Indian-administered Kashmir. The attack, which occurs on April 22, 2025, marks the deadliest assault on civilians in the region in nearly two decades, reigniting tensions in the long-disputed Himalayan territory and prompting widespread international condemnation.
The attack takes place in the early afternoon, around 14:50 local time, as tourists enjoy the serene meadows of Baisaran Valley, often referred to as “mini Switzerland” for its breathtaking pine-covered hills and valleys. According to eyewitness accounts, seven militants dressed in military-style uniforms emerge from nearby forests, armed with M4 carbines and AK-47s, and begin indiscriminately shooting at the crowd. Survivors report that the gunmen demand victims recite Islamic verses, sparing some Muslims while targeting others, particularly Hindus, in a chilling display of sectarian violence. One survivor, Debasish Bhattacharyya, tells Reuters he survives by reciting verses he learned growing up in a Muslim neighborhood, while others who fail to comply are shot at close range. Another witness, speaking anonymously to India Today, describes the chaos: “We thought someone was setting off firecrackers, but when we heard people screaming, we ran for our lives. I am still shaking.”
The majority of the victims are Indian tourists hailing from various states, including Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Odisha, Gujarat, Haryana, West Bengal, and Uttar Pradesh. Among the casualties are a 26-year-old Indian Navy officer, Lieutenant Vinay Narwal, who is on his honeymoon with his wife Himanshi, and an Intelligence Bureau official. Narwal’s wife, overcome with grief, salutes his coffin at Delhi’s IGI airport, shouting “Jai Hind” as his body is transported to his hometown in Karnal, Haryana, for last rites with full military honors. A Nepali national and an Indian-origin individual working in the Middle East are also among the dead, highlighting the diverse group of travelers targeted in the attack.
A little-known militant group, The Resistance Front, claims responsibility for the attack via social media, alleging that the victims are part of a broader “demographic change” driven by the settlement of over 85,000 “outsiders” in Kashmir. Indian security agencies link The Resistance Front to Pakistan-based groups Lashkar-e-Taiba and Hizbul Mujahideen, though Pakistan denies any involvement, with its Foreign Ministry expressing condolences and calling the incident “concerning.” Indian authorities, however, point to cross-border linkages, with intelligence agencies identifying Saifullah Kasuri, a top Lashkar-e-Taiba commander, and two operatives based in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir as the masterminds behind the massacre.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who cuts short an official visit to Saudi Arabia to address the crisis, condemns the attack as a “heinous act” and vows that the perpetrators “will not be spared.” In a post on X, Modi states, “Our resolve to fight terrorism is unshakable, and it will get even stronger.” Home Minister Amit Shah arrives in Srinagar on the evening of April 22 to chair an emergency security meeting, promising the harshest consequences for those involved. By April 23, over 1,500 individuals are detained across the region, with 12 suspects arrested in South Kashmir for interrogation as authorities hunt for the broader terror network. Local residents reportedly aiding the attackers are also under investigation, according to posts on X.
The attack comes at a time when Kashmir is experiencing a resurgence in tourism, with 3.5 million visitors in 2024 alone, drawn to its natural beauty and perceived stability. The region, however, has been a flashpoint of conflict since 1989, when an armed insurgency against Indian rule begins, fueled by demands for independence or unification with Pakistan. The conflict has claimed tens of thousands of lives over the decades, with violence peaking in the early 2000s. A notable attack in March 2000 sees 35 civilians killed during a visit by then-U.S. President Bill Clinton, a tactic often used by militants to draw global attention to their cause. More recently, in June 2024, nine Hindu pilgrims are killed when their bus is attacked, plunging into a gorge.
Tensions in Kashmir escalate further in 2019 when India revokes the region’s semi-autonomous status, splitting it into two union territories—Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh. This move, accompanied by a heavy military crackdown and communications blackout, allows non-locals to obtain domicile rights, buy land, and secure jobs, a policy that has issued certificates to nearly 84,000 individuals in the last two years. Critics argue this policy fuels resentment among locals, who fear a demographic shift, a grievance echoed by The Resistance Front in their claim of responsibility.
The international community responds swiftly to the attack. U.S. President Donald Trump, in a Truth Social post, declares, “The United States stands strong with India against terrorism.” Vice President JD Vance, who is on a four-day visit to India with his family, expresses his condolences on X, noting, “Over the past few days, we have been overcome with the beauty of this country and its people. Our thoughts and prayers are with them as they mourn this horrific attack.” Other global leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, who calls it a “brutal crime,” and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who describes it as “utterly devastating,” join in condemning the violence. The United Arab Emirates and Nepal also issue statements rejecting terrorism and expressing solidarity with India.
India’s response to the attack is swift and severe. On April 23, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri announces a series of measures to downgrade ties with Pakistan, including the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, the closure of the Attari-Wagah border, and a ban on Pakistani nationals entering India under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme. Pakistani military advisers at the High Commission in New Delhi are expelled, and Indian staff in Islamabad are reduced. The National Investigation Agency launches a probe, visiting the attack site to gather evidence. Meanwhile, protests erupt across Kashmir, with locals mourning the loss of tourists—often seen as guests—and condemning the violence. A Kashmir Bandh, or shutdown, is called as a mark of protest, with markets in Pahalgam standing empty and businesses closing their doors.
The attack has immediate repercussions for Kashmir’s tourism industry. Airlines issue travel advisories, and aggregators report a 7x surge in flight cancellations and a 40% drop in future bookings. Tourists are seen leaving Srinagar in droves, with many, like Sameer Bhardwaj from Delhi, telling ANI, “How can we continue our trip in such a situation?” The Indian government urges airlines and hotels to offer full refunds, with Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat emphasizing support for travelers. Industry leaders warn that the attack could devastate the livelihoods of locals who depend on tourism, a sector that has been a lifeline for the region amidst its turbulent history.
As India grapples with the aftermath, the attack raises broader questions about the future of Kashmir. Security analyst C Uday Bhaskar tells Al Jazeera that the assault aims to draw global attention to the Kashmir issue and deepen tensions between India and Pakistan, a goal that appears achieved given the worldwide headlines. Experts like counter-terrorism author Ajai Sahni note that an implicit understanding between locals and militants to spare the tourist trade has been shattered, potentially altering the dynamics of the conflict. With India’s government facing pressure to act decisively, the specter of further escalation looms large, threatening to unravel the fragile peace that has allowed tourism to flourish in recent years.
Sources:
- The New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com
- Al Jazeera: https://www.aljazeera.com
- The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com
- Reuters: https://www.reuters.com
- AP News: https://apnews.com
- BBC: https://www.bbc.com
- CBS News: https://www.cbsnews.com
- CNN: https://www.cnn.com
- Sky News: https://news.sky.com
- The Hindu: https://www.thehindu.com
- Los Angeles Times: https://www.latimes.com
- The Washington Post: https://www.washingtonpost.com
- PBS News: https://www.pbs.org
- ABC News: https://www.abc.net.au
- France 24: https://www.france24.com
- NBC News: https://www.nbcnews.com
- NPR: https://www.npr.org
- NDTV: https://www.ndtv.com
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org
- YouTube Video: https://youtu.be/lqvvP5W4zgc
- Posts on X: General sentiment and updates from users like @IndiaToday, @gulf_news, @omprg, @Rajeshm19791
