At least 28 civilians, mostly tourists, were killed in a terrorist attack near Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22. The Resistance Front, linked to the Lashkar-e-Taiba, claimed responsibility on social media, according to the Press Trust of India. The attack occurred in the Baisaran valley, accessible only on foot or on horseback. This was the deadliest terrorist attack in the Union Territory since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019.
PM Vows Stern Action After Pahalgam Terror Attack
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing his first public event since the tragic Pahalgam terror attack, issued a strong warning to those behind the violence, promising strict action against the perpetrators and conspirators alike.
Speaking from Bihar, the Prime Minister said, "Today, from the soil of Bihar, I say to the whole world, India will identify, track, and punish every terrorist and their backers. We will pursue them to the ends of the earth. The spirit of India will never be broken by terrorism. Terrorism will not go unpunished." The Prime Minister added that those involved in the incident and all those who were "part of the conspiracy" will be "punished beyond their imagination."
Meanwhile, the central government has scheduled an all-party meeting in Parliament at 6 pm today, April 24 to address the security situation and discuss the next course of action. According to reports, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is expected to chair the session.
How the attack happened
It was a regular Tuesday afternoon with numerous visitors at the picturesque Baisaran valley, when around six terrorists in Army fatigues emerged from the dense pine forest surrounding the valley and started firing, eyewitnesses said. They identified their victims by faith, asking them to tell their names and recite Islamic verses before spraying bullets on them from close range.
“We were standing in the stand, and customers had gone to the upper side. At around 2:45 pm, people started running around. When we asked, we found that a gunshot had been fired,” an eyewitness told PTI. Another witness told the Asian News International, "We could hear the sound of firing for a long time. Everyone was trying to escape from the place. We never looked back as we just wanted to escape from there."
Survivors recount the harrowing experience
At least 28 tourists died in the terrorist attack. One of the victims was Karnataka-native Manjunath, whose wife, Pallavi, told a Kannada media channel, "We are in Pahalgam, and my husband died right in front of me. I couldn't cry or react -- I couldn't even comprehend what had just happened." Their 18-year-old son Abhijeya also survived the attack.
"At first, we heard gunfire and thought the army had fired a shot. Then people started running. I saw my husband had already collapsed and was lying in a pool of blood. He had been shot in the head. I sat beside his body, unable to react," she added.
Pallavi said that she faced one of the terrorists, who allegedly told her, "Nahin marenge. Tum Modi ko jaake bolo (I won't kill you. Go and tell Modi)." She continued, "The terrorists were right in front of us. Almost all the men were targeted. There were many newlywed couples, and in most cases, only the husbands were attacked while women and others were spared. Hindus were targeted. There were around 500 tourists present."
Another survivor, Asavari Jagdale from Pune, told PTI that the gunmen came into the tent where her family was hiding. "We were a group of five people, including my parents. We were in Baisaran Valley near Pahalgam and were at a spot called Mini Switzerland when the firing began," she said.
The attackers accused the family of supporting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, before shooting the men, Jagadale added. "They then asked my father to recite an Islamic verse (probably the Kalma). When he failed to do so, they pumped three bullets into him, one on the head, one behind the ear and another in the back... My uncle was next to me. The terrorists then fired four to five bullets into him. They shot several other males who were on the spot. There was nobody to help," she said.
The Resistance Front claims responsibility
According to reports, The Resistance Front, a proxy of ISI-backed Lashkar-e-Taiba, claimed responsibility for the attack on social media. The militant group claimed they were discontented with “outsiders” who had settled in the region and caused a “demographic change.” V K Birdi, inspector general of police in Kashmir, told CNN that the authorities were aware the group had claimed responsibility, but said they were still investigating the matter.
Indian Army in action
The Indian joint forces launched an operation with the J&K Police forces in the Baisran, Pahalgam. Medical teams were swiftly mobilised and casualty evacuation commenced, according to the Chinar Corps of the Indian Army. "The search operation is currently in progress, with all efforts focused on bringing the attackers to justice," they wrote on social media.
On April 23, the Chinar Corps also reportedly thwarted an infiltration attempt by terrorists along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Uri sector of Baramulla district. Two terrorists were killed in a heavy exchange of fire, the Indian Army said in a social media post. The Army said that a large quantity of weapons, ammunition and other war-like stores have been recovered from the terrorists.
World leaders respond
Prime Minister Narendra Modi cut short his state visit to Saudi Arabia and returned to India in the wee hours of April 23. "Those behind this heinous act will be brought to justice...they will not be spared! Their evil agenda will never succeed. Our resolve to fight terrorism is unshakable, and it will get even stronger," PM Modi wrote on social media.
Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah described the terror attack as "much larger than anything we’ve seen directed at civilians in recent years". He also stated that the death toll is still being ascertained. "They will be officially conveyed as the situation becomes clearer. Needless to say, this attack is much larger than anything we’ve seen directed at civilians in recent years."
United States Vice President JD Vance, who is in India with his family, also condemned the attack.
Russian President Vladimir Putin extended condolences to India's Prime Minister and President after the attack.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed condolences. "One of the victims, Sri Bitan Adhikari, is from West Bengal. I have talked with his wife over the phone. Though no words are enough to console her in this hour of grief, I have assured her that my Government is taking all steps to bring back his mortal remains to his house at Kolkata," she wrote on X.
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