What happened in Pahalgam, Kashmir attack that killed 26 tourists?

On April 22, 2025, a devastating terrorist attack occurred in the Baisaran meadow near Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, resulting in the deaths of at least 28 individuals and injuries to over 20 others. The victims included tourists from various Indian states and foreign nationals from Nepal and the United Arab Emirates. This incident marks one of the deadliest attacks on civilians in the region in recent years.

Details of the Attack

Around 2:30 PM, four to six militants, affiliated with The Resistance Front (TRF)—an offshoot of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba—emerged from nearby forests and opened fire on tourists in the Baisaran meadow, a popular tourist spot known as “Mini Switzerland.” Eyewitnesses reported that the assailants targeted non-Muslim individuals, asking them to recite religious texts and checking for circumcision to identify their religion. The attackers spared some individuals to “narrate the horrors” to Indian authorities.

Victims

The attack claimed the lives of 24 Indian tourists from states including Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Odisha, Gujarat, Haryana, West Bengal, and Uttar Pradesh. Among the deceased were a 26-year-old Indian Navy officer on his honeymoon and an Intelligence Bureau official. Two local residents and two foreign tourists from Nepal and the UAE were also killed. Over 20 individuals sustained injuries, with some in critical condition.

Government and International Response

Prime Minister Narendra Modi cut short his visit to Saudi Arabia to return to India and convene emergency security meetings. Union Home Minister Amit Shah traveled to Srinagar to assess the situation, and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman returned from her overseas trip. Security forces launched a massive manhunt to apprehend the perpetrators, detaining approximately 100 suspects for questioning.

The attack drew widespread international condemnation. U.S. President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed their condolences and solidarity with the victims’ families.

Impact on Tourism and Regional Stability

The incident has severely impacted the tourism industry in Kashmir, which had been experiencing a resurgence following the revocation of the region’s semi-autonomous status in 2019. Airlines arranged special flights and maintained fare stability to facilitate the evacuation of tourists. The violence has reignited tensions between India and Pakistan over the disputed territory of Kashmir.

This tragic event underscores the ongoing challenges to peace and stability in the region, highlighting the need for continued vigilance and efforts to address the underlying issues fueling such violence.