Key Points
- 28 people, including tourists and officials, killed in mass shooting at Pahalgam’s Baisaran meadow, Jammu & Kashmir.
- The Resistance Front (TRF), linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba, claimed responsibility.
- Attack targeted Hindu tourists; survivors describe horrifying ordeal.
- PM Modi cancels Saudi dinner, returns early to India, vows justice.
- Home Minister Amit Shah rushes to Srinagar, promises harsh action.
- Global leaders, including US and Russia, condemn the attack.
- Security operations and investigations underway; helplines activated.
New Delhi: In one of the most brutal terrorist attacks in recent years, at least 28 people were killed and over 20 injured when militants opened fire on a group of Hindu tourists at Baisaran meadow near Pahalgam, Anantnag district, Jammu & Kashmir, on April 22, 2025 . The meadow, known for its scenic beauty and dubbed ‘mini Switzerland,’ was crowded with visitors enjoying improved weather after days of rain when the attack occurred around 2:50 pm.
Eyewitnesses recount that four to six gunmen, dressed in military-style uniforms, emerged from the forest, initially posing as policemen. They reportedly asked for names and demanded that victims recite the kalma (Islamic declaration of faith), sparing those identified as Muslims and targeting non-Muslims. Survivors described scenes of panic, with attackers firing at close range and sparing some women, allegedly to “narrate the horrors” to Prime Minister Modi.
Among the deceased were 24 Indian tourists from states including Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Odisha, Gujarat, Haryana, West Bengal, and Uttar Pradesh, two locals, and two foreign nationals from Nepal and the UAE. The casualties included a young Indian Navy officer and an Intelligence Bureau official.
Attack Claimed by The Resistance Front
The Resistance Front (TRF), an offshoot of the banned Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, claimed responsibility for the massacre. The group cited anger over alleged demographic changes in Kashmir following the abrogation of Article 370 as their motive. Security agencies suspect the attackers infiltrated from the Kishtwar region, traversing South Kashmir to reach the remote tourist destination, raising concerns about cross-regional militant movement.
Swift National and International Response
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was on an official visit to Saudi Arabia, immediately condemned the attack, skipped the official dinner hosted by Saudi authorities, and cut short his trip to return to India early Wednesday morning. In a statement, Modi vowed, “Those behind this heinous act will be brought to justice…they will not be spared! Our resolve to fight terrorism is unshakable and it will get even stronger”.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah rushed to Srinagar on the Prime Minister’s directions, held a high-level security review, and pledged the “harshest consequences” for the perpetrators. Shah is set to visit the attack site and meet with both survivors and security officials.
International leaders, including US President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, expressed solidarity with India and condemned the attack. US Vice President JD Vance, who is currently in India, extended condolences, stating, “Our thoughts and prayers are with them as they mourn this horrific attack”.
Security Measures and Ongoing Operations
Security forces launched an extensive search and cordon operation in the region, deploying helicopters and imposing a temporary lockdown in parts of Pahalgam. Emergency services, including choppers, were used to evacuate the injured, with some victims airlifted to military hospitals in Srinagar. Authorities have released helpline numbers for families and tourists seeking information or assistance.
The incident has sparked widespread outrage and protests across India, with political leaders demanding strong action against the perpetrators and those supporting cross-border terrorism.
Helpline Numbers for Affected Families
- Emergency Control Room, Srinagar: 0194-2457543, 0194-2483651, 7006058623
- 24/7 Tourist Help Desk, Anantnag: 9596777669, 01932-225870, WhatsApp: 9419051940
- Jammu and Kashmir Tourist Department: 8899931010, 8899941010, 9906663868, 9906906115
