Date of Incident: April 22, 2025 Location: Baisaran Valley ("Mini Switzerland"), Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir Casualties: 28 Dead, 20+ Injured
On April 22, 2025, a devastating terror attack occurred in the Baisaran Valley near Pahalgam, a popular tourist destination in the Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir. The incident, now referred to as the Pahalgam Massacre, stands as the deadliest attack on civilians in the region since the revocation of Article 370 in 2019.
The Timeline of the Attack
At approximately 2:50 PM IST, a group of four to six heavily armed militants emerged from the dense pine forests surrounding Baisaran Valley. Dressed in military-style fatigues, the attackers opened fire on a large group of tourists who were visiting the scenic meadow.
According to eyewitness accounts and investigation reports, the militants specifically targeted non-local tourists. Survivors reported that the attackers segregated victims based on their identity, asking some to recite religious verses. Those who could not were shot at point-blank range.
During the assault, the gunmen reportedly spared certain individuals, instructing them to "Go tell this to Modi," a reference to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Casualties and Victims
The attack resulted in the tragic loss of 28 lives. The victims included:
24 Indian Tourists: Visitors from Maharashtra, Gujarat, West Bengal, and other states.
Security Personnel: Casualties included a 26-year-old Indian Navy officer and an official from the Intelligence Bureau.
Foreign Nationals: Tourists from Nepal and the United Arab Emirates were also identified among the deceased.
At least 20 other individuals sustained severe gunshot injuries and were airlifted to hospitals in Srinagar for emergency treatment.
Acts of Heroism by Locals
Despite the chaos, local Kashmiri residents played a critical role in saving lives.
The Ponywallas: Members of the local Pony Owners Association used their horses and improvised stretchers to transport 11 injured tourists down the steep terrain to safety. One pony operator, Syed Adil Hussain Shah, was tragically killed while trying to shield tourists from gunfire.
Community Support: A local woolen merchant guided four families from Chhattisgarh to a secure hideout, while a cab driver sheltered a group of tourists from Maharashtra in his own home, providing food and protection until security forces arrived.
Investigation and Aftermath
The militant groups The Resistance Front (TRF) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) claimed responsibility for the attack. In statements released on social media, they cited opposition to the "demographic changes" in the region following the 2019 policy shifts.
Government Response:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi cut short a diplomatic visit to Saudi Arabia to chair high-level security meetings in New Delhi.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) launched a massive manhunt. They identified Saifullah Kasuri (alias Khalid), a top LeT commander, as the mastermind behind the operation.
Security forces released sketches of three suspects, including two believed to be foreign nationals.
Conclusion
The April 22 attack in Pahalgam remains a grim reminder of the security challenges in the region. While it reignited debates over the safety of tourists in Kashmir, it also highlighted the resilience and humanity of the local residents who risked their lives to save strangers.
Read Also : The Best Travel Foods: How to Eat Healthy on the Road
Kiara Joshi
Date of Incident: April 22, 2025 Location: Baisaran Valley ("Mini Switzerland"), Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir Casualties: 28 Dead, 20+ Injured
On April 22, 2025, a devastating terror attack occurred in the Baisaran Valley near Pahalgam, a popular tourist destination in the Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir. The incident, now referred to as the Pahalgam Massacre, stands as the deadliest attack on civilians in the region since the revocation of Article 370 in 2019.
The Timeline of the Attack
At approximately 2:50 PM IST, a group of four to six heavily armed militants emerged from the dense pine forests surrounding Baisaran Valley. Dressed in military-style fatigues, the attackers opened fire on a large group of tourists who were visiting the scenic meadow.
According to eyewitness accounts and investigation reports, the militants specifically targeted non-local tourists. Survivors reported that the attackers segregated victims based on their identity, asking some to recite religious verses. Those who could not were shot at point-blank range.
During the assault, the gunmen reportedly spared certain individuals, instructing them to "Go tell this to Modi," a reference to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Casualties and Victims
The attack resulted in the tragic loss of 28 lives. The victims included:
24 Indian Tourists: Visitors from Maharashtra, Gujarat, West Bengal, and other states.
Security Personnel: Casualties included a 26-year-old Indian Navy officer and an official from the Intelligence Bureau.
Foreign Nationals: Tourists from Nepal and the United Arab Emirates were also identified among the deceased.
At least 20 other individuals sustained severe gunshot injuries and were airlifted to hospitals in Srinagar for emergency treatment.
Acts of Heroism by Locals
Despite the chaos, local Kashmiri residents played a critical role in saving lives.
The Ponywallas: Members of the local Pony Owners Association used their horses and improvised stretchers to transport 11 injured tourists down the steep terrain to safety. One pony operator, Syed Adil Hussain Shah, was tragically killed while trying to shield tourists from gunfire.
Community Support: A local woolen merchant guided four families from Chhattisgarh to a secure hideout, while a cab driver sheltered a group of tourists from Maharashtra in his own home, providing food and protection until security forces arrived.
Investigation and Aftermath
The militant groups The Resistance Front (TRF) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) claimed responsibility for the attack. In statements released on social media, they cited opposition to the "demographic changes" in the region following the 2019 policy shifts.
Government Response:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi cut short a diplomatic visit to Saudi Arabia to chair high-level security meetings in New Delhi.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) launched a massive manhunt. They identified Saifullah Kasuri (alias Khalid), a top LeT commander, as the mastermind behind the operation.
Security forces released sketches of three suspects, including two believed to be foreign nationals.
Conclusion
The April 22 attack in Pahalgam remains a grim reminder of the security challenges in the region. While it reignited debates over the safety of tourists in Kashmir, it also highlighted the resilience and humanity of the local residents who risked their lives to save strangers.
Read Also : The Best Travel Foods: How to Eat Healthy on the Road