Pahalgam Massacre: 28 Killed, Over 20 Injured in Militant Attack on Tourists
On 22 April 2025, militants linked to The Resistance Front—an offshoot of Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba and Hizbul Mujahideen—carried out a brutal attack on tourists in Baisaran Valley near Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, killing at least 28 people and injuring more than 20.
Background
Jammu and Kashmir has been the site of an armed insurgency since 1989. Though violence had declined in recent years, tensions escalated after India revoked the region’s special status in 2019, splitting the former state into two union territories: Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh. The change allowed non-locals to gain domicile status and access land and jobs—moves that fueled local resentment and unrest. As of April 2025, 83,000 individuals had reportedly been granted domicile certificates.
India has deployed around 500,000 security personnel in the region, making it one of the most militarized zones in the world. The move has also strained India-Pakistan relations, given the ongoing dispute over Kashmir.
The Attack
At approximately 2:50 PM on 22 April, a group of four to six militants armed with M4 carbines and AK-47s opened fire on tourists at the scenic, remote Baisaran Valley, accessible only on foot or by pony. Dressed in military fatigues, the assailants emerged from the forest and began firing into the crowd.
Survivors reported that the attackers demanded names and asked people to recite the kalma, checking for circumcisions to identify and spare Muslims—targeting non-Muslims with the intent to kill. Eyewitness footage captured scenes of chaos: people lying motionless, others pleading for help, and a woman crying out for assistance for her injured husband.
Among the 28 killed were individuals from various Indian states including Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Odisha, Gujarat, Haryana, West Bengal, and Uttar Pradesh, as well as tourists from Nepal and the UAE. The dead included a 26-year-old Indian Navy officer and an Intelligence Bureau official. At least 20 others were seriously wounded.
Response and Rescue Efforts
Emergency services reached the site shortly after the news broke. The critically injured were rushed to Anantnag District Hospital and later airlifted to a military hospital in Srinagar. Local residents played a key role in the rescue—members of the pony-handlers’ association transported victims on ponies and makeshift stretchers, while others offered shelter to stranded tourists. A family from Maharashtra publicly thanked a local driver who protected and cared for them during the attack.
One attacker reportedly told a woman she was being spared so she could “narrate the horrors” to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Many victims were shot at point-blank range.
Aftermath and Security Measures
A joint search operation was launched by Indian security forces, including aerial surveillance. Temporary lockdowns were imposed in parts of Pahalgam. The Indian Army also gave limited clearance for HAL Dhruv helicopters to support counter-terror operations, despite the fleet being grounded previously.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi cut short a visit to Saudi Arabia and vowed justice, reaffirming India’s commitment to counter-terrorism. Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited Srinagar to assess the situation, while Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman curtailed her international trip. A helpline was set up for affected tourists.
Protests condemning the attack erupted across Jammu and Kashmir, with some in Jammu directly blaming Pakistan.
Investigation
India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) began a probe after visiting the site on 23 April. Security agencies released sketches of three suspects, all linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba, with at least two believed to be foreign nationals. Intelligence sources identified Saifullah Kasuri, also known as Khalid, a senior Lashkar-e-Taiba commander, as the mastermind behind the massacre.
