Devastating Terror Attack in Pahalgam Kills 26, Sparks Outrage Across India

April 23, 2025 – Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir —
In one of the deadliest terror attacks in recent years, 26 people, including 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen, were killed on Monday in the scenic region of Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. The attack, targeting a group of tourists, has sent shockwaves across India and the world.

According to security officials, the assault was orchestrated by the militant group Kashmir Resistance, which later claimed responsibility. Seventeen others were seriously injured, many requiring emergency evacuation by helicopter.

The assailants ambushed the tourist convoy as it traveled along a popular route near the Lidder River. Eyewitnesses reported hearing "multiple bursts of automatic gunfire" and described scenes of chaos, with several vehicles riddled with bullets and overturned in the panic.

"We saw people screaming for help... It was horrible. It’s something you don’t forget," said Mohan Das, a tourist guide who witnessed the attack.

Political and International Response

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who immediately cut short his diplomatic visit to Saudi Arabia, condemned the attack as "a barbaric act against innocent lives." Upon returning to New Delhi, he convened a high-level emergency meeting with security chiefs and the Home Minister.

Home Minister Amit Shah personally visited Srinagar, meeting with grieving families and assuring them of swift action.

"We will not rest until every terrorist and their supporter responsible for this cowardly act is brought to justice," Shah said.

International leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump and U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, expressed their solidarity with India. China also extended condolences, calling the attack "heinous."

About the Attackers

Kashmir Resistance, a relatively new but increasingly aggressive group operating in Kashmir, released a statement claiming responsibility. They alleged that their attack targeted individuals connected to Indian security forces and cited demographic changes in Kashmir, criticizing the Indian government for encouraging settlement by outsiders after the 2019 revocation of Article 370.

Indian intelligence agencies are investigating the extent of foreign involvement, as some officials believe the attack may have had external support.

Impact on the Region

The attack has triggered widespread fear among tourists and locals alike. Authorities have imposed partial curfews in parts of the Kashmir Valley. Flights out of Srinagar were packed as visitors scrambled to leave amid uncertainty.

Several tour operators canceled upcoming trips to Kashmir, dealing a severe blow to the region’s already fragile economy.

A Grim Reminder

Despite improvements in security over the past decade, this attack serves as a grim reminder that tensions in Kashmir remain volatile.
The attack also rekindles painful memories of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, which killed 166 people, marking the deadliest incident on Indian soil in recent history.

The government has pledged increased security measures, including deploying additional paramilitary forces in key areas and boosting surveillance.

Meanwhile, families of the victims, still grappling with the shock, are calling for unity and justice.

"We lost our loved ones, but we stand strong. Terror cannot break us," said a relative of one of the victims at a vigil held in Delhi.