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2025 Pahalgam attack

Coordinates: 34°00′13″N 75°20′01″E / 34.00361°N 75.33361°E / 34.00361; 75.33361
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2025 Pahalgam massacre
Part of the insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir
Pahalgam is located in Jammu and Kashmir
Pahalgam
Pahalgam
Pahalgam (Jammu and Kashmir)
Location of the attack in the Indian‑administered Jammu and Kashmir
LocationPahalgam, Anantnag district, Jammu and Kashmir, India
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
WeaponsM4 carbines, AK-47s
Deaths28[1]
Injured20[2]
PerpetratorsThe Resistance Front[3][4]
No. of participants
4-6
MotiveIslamic Terrorism

The 2025 Pahalgam massacre of Hindu tourists was a mass shooting that took place on 22 April 2025 at the Baisaran meadow near Pahalgam in the Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir, India. Militants affiliated with The Resistance Front (TRF) opened fire on a group of Hindu tourists, killing at least 28 people and injuring more than 20 others. The attack, one of the deadliest in the region since the 2019 Pulwama bombing, targeted civilians and was reportedly aimed at resisting alleged demographic changes in the Kashmir Valley.

At least 28 people, including tourists and officials, were killed and several others were injured in the attack. Indian authorities declared the incident as a terrorist attack, blaming militants opposed to Indian rule.[5] The Resistance Front (TRF), an offshoot of the militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba based in Pakistan, claimed responsibility for the attack.

Attack

The attack by four to six militants[6] occurred around 14:50 on a Tuesday in the Baisaran meadow near Pahalgam, a remote tourist spot accessible by foot or pony. The area was crowded with visitors enjoying improved weather after days of rain. According to survivors, gunmen in military-style uniforms emerged from nearby forests and opened fire on the crowd.[7][8][9]

Survivors reported that the attackers initially posed as policemen, asking for names before suddenly opening fire, targeting men while sparing most women. Witness accounts suggested the assailants singled out non-Muslims, asking victims to recite the kalma and checking for circumcision. Those who failed were shot.[10][11]

Witnesses stated that most of the victims were male, with one assailant allegedly telling a woman that she was being spared so she could "narrate the horrors" to the Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi. Several victims were shot at close range, and video footage from the scene showed bloodied individuals lying on the ground and others pleading for help.[12] The attackers asked for names and demanded that the victims recite the kalma. They checked for circumcisions to identify and spare Muslims, ensuring they were targeting non-Muslims.[13][14]

Eyewitness videos showed scenes of panic and injured victims pleading for help. One woman was seen screaming for assistance for her husband, while others were seen lying motionless in the meadow. At least 28 people were killed, and several others were critically injured.[15][16] Emergency services arrived at the scene shortly after news of the attack reached district headquarters. Two critically injured victims were taken to Anantnag District Hospital around 16:30, while others were transported to nearby medical centres. Some were airlifted by helicopter to a military hospital in Srinagar for further treatment.[17]

A joint search and cordon operation involving local police and the Indian Army was launched in the area. Helicopters were deployed to locate the attackers, and a temporary lockdown was imposed in parts of Pahalgam.[18][19]

Casualties

At least 28 civilians were killed in the attack, including 24 Indian tourists from various states, two locals from Jammu and Kashmir, and two foreign tourists from Nepal and the United Arab Emirates.[1][20]

At least 20 others were injured.[21][22] The dead included those from Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Odisha, Gujarat, Haryana, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh, as well as injured from Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra.[23][24][25] The casualties included a 26-year-old Indian Navy officer and an Intelligence Bureau official.[26][27]

Responsibility

The attack was claimed by The Resistance Front, an offshoot of Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba.[28] The group said that it was angry due to Indian settlement of over 85,000 "outsiders" that were driving a "demographic change."[25][29]

Response

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi cut short his visit to Saudi Arabia and said that those responsible would be brought to justice emphasizing India's resolve to combat terrorism. Union Home Minister Amit Shah travelled to Srinagar to assess the situation and coordinate the security response. Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs Nirmala Sitharaman cut short her official visit to the United States and Peru. Security forces launched a manhunt to apprehend the perpetrators, and a helpline was established to assist affected tourists.[30] Protests were held in many parts of Indian-administered Kashmir condemning the attack, including some in Jammu who blamed Pakistan.[25]

Reactions

The attack drew immediate widespread condemnation from political leaders and civil society. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah described the incident as "much larger than anything we've seen directed at civilians in recent years." President Droupadi Murmu expressed her condolences to the families of the victims and called it a "dastardly and inhuman act."[31] Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the act of violence and assured that those responsible for the attack would be brought to justice emphasizing the nation's strong resolve to combat terrorism.[32] and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh labeled it an "act of cowardice."[22] Opposition Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi called it a "crime against humanity." Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi described the attack as "horrific", and emphasised support for the victims.[1]

Countries have also condemned the attacks and/or expressed condolence to the victims.[33][34]

The European Union and the United Nations also issued similar statements.[35]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c "Pahalgam terror attack LIVE: Foreign tourists among 28 killed; Amit Shah in Srinagar to review security situation". The Hindu. 22 April 2025. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 22 April 2025. Retrieved 22 April 2025.
  2. ^ "Mamata condemns Pahalgam terror attack, says perpetrators must not go unpunished". Deccan Herald. 22 April 2025. Retrieved 22 April 2025.
  3. ^ "What is The Resistance Front? Hafiz Saeed's TRF claims responsibility for Pahalgam attack on tourists". Times of India. Retrieved 22 April 2025.
  4. ^ "What is TRF, LeT terror group offshoot that has taken responsibility for Pahalgam attack?". Firstpost. Retrieved 22 April 2025.
  5. ^ Zargar, Arshad R. (22 April 2025). "Terror attack on tourists in Indian-controlled Kashmir leaves at least 20 dead, reports say - CBS News". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved 22 April 2025.
  6. ^ "Gunmen kill at least 26 in Indian-administered Kashmir: Police". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 22 April 2025.
  7. ^ "Hindus were singled out, shot: Tourist's blow-by-blow account of Pahalgam attack". India Today. 22 April 2025. Retrieved 22 April 2025.
  8. ^ "J&K: Tourist Killed, Several Hurt in Attack on Pahalgam Health Resort". The Wire. Archived from the original on 22 April 2025. Retrieved 22 April 2025.
  9. ^ Irfan, Shams; Mehrotra, Karishma (22 April 2025). "Gunmen launch rare attack on tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 22 April 2025.
  10. ^ "Terrorists singled out & shot non-Muslims in Pahalgam attack, say sources & witnesses". Firstpost. 22 April 2025. Retrieved 22 April 2025.
  11. ^ Arora, Mansi (22 April 2025). "'Stripped to check for circumcision, asked to recite Islamic verse': Tourists recall horror after J&K terror attack". WION. Archived from the original on 22 April 2025. Retrieved 22 April 2025.
  12. ^ "'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 BusinessToday". Business Today. 22 April 2025. Retrieved 22 April 2025.
  13. ^ "Terrorists singled out & shot non-Muslims in Pahalgam attack, say sources & witnesses". Firstpost. 22 April 2025. Retrieved 22 April 2025.
  14. ^ Arora, Mansi (22 April 2025). "'Stripped to check for circumcision, asked to recite Islamic verse': Tourists recall horror after J&K terror attack". WION. Archived from the original on 22 April 2025. Retrieved 22 April 2025.
  15. ^ "India: Gunmen kill at least 20 tourists in Kashmir". Le Monde. 22 April 2025. Retrieved 22 April 2025.
  16. ^ "People wail for help as loved ones lie in pools of blood: Pahalgan after attack on tourists". The Times of India. 22 April 2025. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 22 April 2025.
  17. ^ "J&K: Tourist Killed, Several Hurt in Attack on Pahalgam Health Resort". The Wire. Archived from the original on 22 April 2025. Retrieved 22 April 2025.
  18. ^ Jaiswal, Arushi (22 April 2025). "Pahalgam attack: One tourist killed, 12 to 13 injured in Jammu and Kashmir's terror strike". India TV News. Retrieved 22 April 2025.
  19. ^ "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. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 22 April 2025. Retrieved 22 April 2025.
  20. ^ Hari, Ravi (22 April 2025). "'Brutal crime has no justification': Vladimir Putin on terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam". Mint (newspaper). HT Media. Archived from the original on 22 April 2025. Retrieved 22 April 2025.
  21. ^ "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.
  22. ^ a b "Kashmir Terror Attack Updates: 28 Killed In J&K's Worst Terror Attack In Recent Times, Say Sources". www.ndtv.com. Retrieved 22 April 2025.
  23. ^ "Kerala man among victims of Pahalgam terror attack". English.Mathrubhumi. 22 April 2025. Retrieved 22 April 2025.
  24. ^ "Pahalgam Terror Attack: How Trump, Putin, Meloni, Other World Leaders Reacted To Kashmir Killings". Zee News. Retrieved 22 April 2025.
  25. ^ a b c 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.
  26. ^ "Intelligence Bureau Officer Shot In Front Of Wife, Children In J&K Attack". www.ndtv.com. Retrieved 22 April 2025.
  27. ^ "Indian Navy Officer among 26 killed in Pahalgam terror attack". English.Mathrubhumi. 22 April 2025. Retrieved 22 April 2025.
  28. ^ "Kashmir Terror Attack Updates: 26 Killed; National Conference, Mehbooba Mufti's PDP To Support Bandh Today". www.ndtv.com. Retrieved 22 April 2025.
  29. ^ "At least 20 feared killed in militant attack on tourists in Indian Kashmir, security sources say". CNBC. 22 April 2025. Retrieved 22 April 2025.
  30. ^ "Pahalgam attack live updates: At least 12 tourists injured, multiple deaths feared". Hindustan Times. 22 April 2025. Retrieved 22 April 2025.
  31. ^ "Attack on tourists in J&K: 26 killed, including foreigners, locals & official". The Times of India. 22 April 2025. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 22 April 2025.
  32. ^ "Prime Minister strongly condemns the terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir". pib.gov.in. 22 April 2025. Archived from the original on 22 April 2025. Retrieved 22 April 2025.
  33. ^ "From Trump to Meloni, how world leaders reacted to 'heinous' Pahalgam terror attack". Hindustan Times. 23 April 2025. Retrieved 23 April 2025.
  34. ^ "How World Reacted To Terror Attack In Kashmir That Left 26 Dead". NDTV. Retrieved 23 April 2025.
  35. ^ "Jammu and Kashmir Pahalgam Terror Attack LIVE updates: Nirmala Sitharaman cuts short US, Peru visit to return to India after Pahalgam terror attack". The Times of India. 23 April 2025. Retrieved 22 April 2025.
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