On April 22, 2025, the serene meadows of Baisaran near Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, were shattered by a brutal terrorist attack that claimed the lives of 26 civilians, including 25 Indian tourists and one Nepali national. This incident marks the deadliest assault on civilians in the region since the 2008 Mumbai attacks.
The Attack:
Around 2:30 PM, five to six militants armed with M4 carbines and AK-47s emerged from the dense pine forests surrounding Baisaran, a popular tourist spot accessible only by foot or horseback. Disguised in military-style uniforms, the assailants targeted tourists engaged in leisure activities such as picnicking and pony rides. Eyewitnesses reported that the attackers asked victims to recite Islamic verses and checked for circumcision, indicating a deliberate targeting based on religion. The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy of the banned Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), claimed responsibility for the attack.
Casualties and Victims:
The attack resulted in 26 fatalities and over 20 injuries. Victims hailed from various Indian states, including Arunachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Odisha, Gujarat, Haryana, West Bengal, and Uttar Pradesh, as well as from Nepal and the United Arab Emirates. Among the deceased were an Indian Navy officer and an Intelligence Bureau official. A local Kashmiri pony operator, Syed Adil Hussain Shah, was also killed while attempting to protect tourists.
Security Lapses and Intelligence Failures:
Intelligence sources revealed that a few days prior to the incident, a terrorist based in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir had made suggestive remarks hinting at an impending attack. However, security forces failed to act on this intelligence. The militants were reportedly well-trained, equipped with helmet-mounted cameras, and had detailed reconnaissance of areas with minimal security presence. The attack was allegedly orchestrated by Saifullah Kasuri, also known as Khalid, a senior LeT commander.
Government Response:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi cut short his overseas trip to convene an emergency meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh vowed to track down the perpetrators and their conspirators. Home Minister Amit Shah visited the attack site and hospitals treating the injured. The government has initiated a massive manhunt, detaining approximately 1,500 individuals across Jammu and Kashmir.
Diplomatic Fallout:
In response to the attack, India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan, closed the Wagah-Attari border, and expelled Pakistani defense officials. Pakistan retaliated by suspending all bilateral treaties, including the 1972 Simla Agreement, and closing its airspace to Indian flights. Both nations have exchanged threats, raising fears of a broader conflict between the nuclear-armed neighbors.
Public Reaction and International Condemnation:
The attack has drawn widespread condemnation domestically and internationally. President Droupadi Murmu labeled it a “dastardly and inhuman act,” while Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar called it “reprehensible.” Protests erupted across India, and Air India operated additional flights to evacuate tourists from Jammu and Kashmir.
Looking Ahead:
The Pahalgam attack underscores the persistent threat of terrorism in the region and highlights the need for robust intelligence and security measures. As the government reassesses its security protocols, particularly ahead of the upcoming Amarnath Yatra, ensuring the safety of civilians remains paramount.