The term “Pahalgam Tragedy” refers to the devastating terrorist attack that occurred on April 22, 2025, in the Baisaran Valley near Pahalgam, Anantnag district, Jammu and Kashmir. This mass shooting stands as one of the deadliest assaults on civilians in the region in recent years.People.com+3Wikipedia+3AP News+3People.com+2AP News+2Wikipedia+2
🗓️ Incident Overview
- Date & Time: April 22, 2025, around 2:50 PM IST
- Location: Baisaran Valley, approximately 7 km from Pahalgam town
- Fatalities: At least 28 civilians, including 25 Indian nationals, two locals, and one foreign tourist
- Injuries: Over 20 individuals sustained injuries
- Perpetrators: Militants affiliated with The Resistance Front (TRF), an offshoot of Lashkar-e-Taiba
- Weapons Used: M4 carbines and AK-47 riflesWikipedia+1Latest news & breaking headlines+1
🧾 Details of the Attack
The assailants, numbering between four and seven, were dressed in military-style uniforms and armed with automatic weapons. They targeted tourists in the meadow, reportedly asking victims to recite Islamic verses before opening fire. Eyewitness accounts describe scenes of chaos and terror, with some locals, including pony handlers, bravely attempting to shield and rescue the victims. One such local, Syed Adil Hussain Shah, lost his life while trying to disarm an attacker. AP NewsAP News+3Wikipedia+3The Guardian+3
🔍 Investigation and Security Response
Indian security forces launched an extensive manhunt for the perpetrators, deploying army units, paramilitary forces, and helicopters to comb the region. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) initiated a probe, releasing sketches of three suspects believed to be linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba. Intelligence reports suggest that the attack was orchestrated by Saifullah Kasuri, a top LeT commander. Wikipedia
Notably, sources indicate that a few days prior to the incident, a terrorist based in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir had hinted at the attack, but the intelligence agencies and security forces failed to act on it, which led to the grave tragedy. The New Indian Express
🌐 Domestic and International Reactions
- India: Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the attack, cutting short his foreign visit to oversee the situation. Home Minister Amit Shah visited Srinagar to coordinate the response. The government took several measures, including closing a key land border with Pakistan, suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, and reducing diplomatic ties. Wikipedia+1The Guardian+1The Guardian+1Financial Times+1
- International Community: World leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, expressed strong support for India and condemned the attack. Reuters+1Latest news & breaking headlines+1
🕊️ Impact and Aftermath
The attack has significantly impacted tourism in the region, with a noticeable exodus of visitors from Jammu and Kashmir. Air India increased the number of flights to facilitate the departure of tourists. Protests erupted in various parts of the region, condemning the attack and demanding justice. Wikipedia
The Pahalgam tragedy underscores the persistent challenges in ensuring security in the region and the complexities of addressing cross-border terrorism.The Guardian
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