Terror strikes Pahalgam, Kashmir: 25 dead in attack on tourists from across India

A terror attack in the Baisaran valley area of Pahalgam, southern Kashmir, has left at least 25 people dead and a dozen others injured, according to government sources. The attack took place on Tuesday, 22 April 2025, when armed men in fatigues opened fire on a group of Indian tourists trekking to the popular Baisaran meadow.

Among the victims are tourists from several states like Karnataka, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Gujarat. Locals and early eyewitness accounts suggest that the group was ambushed as they were preparing to continue their trek on foot or horseback in the hilly region.

“We were just having bhelpuri... and then he shot my husband,” a survivor of the Pahalgam terror attack recounted in a trembling voice. “The gunman said my husband was not a Muslim and then shot him,” she said, visibly in shock.

Videos circulating online show the horror that unfolded. In one, a woman sobs uncontrollably, crying, “Please save my husband,” while a bystander attempts to comfort her amid the chaos. Another clip shows a desperate plea for help: “Sir, please, please, please ask for help,” a woman cries while tending to a severely injured man lying on the ground.

TRF claims responsibility for terror attack

Security forces responded quickly, rushing to the scene in Pahalgam’s Anantnag district. The Resistance Front (TRF), a known offshoot of Lashkar-e-Taiba, has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Defence sources confirmed that Northern Army Commander Lt. Gen. M.V. Suchendra Kumar, who was attending a conference in New Delhi at the time, is now en route to Srinagar. He is expected to be briefed by local formation commanders regarding the evolving security situation in the valley.

Leaders condemn terrorism, vow justice

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has acknowledged the scale of the tragedy, saying, “This attack is much larger than anything we’ve seen directed at civilians in recent years.”

J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha issued a firm statement: “I strongly condemn the cowardly terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam. I assure the people that those behind this despicable attack will not go unpunished.” He confirmed that medical aid was being provided, with injured individuals evacuated to nearby hospitals, including GMC Anantnag.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Home Minister Amit Shah shortly after the attack and ordered urgent countermeasures. Shah is now in Srinagar to oversee a high-level security review.

Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat echoed the condemnation, calling the incident a “cowardly act” and promising that its perpetrators would face the “harshest consequences”.

Karnataka, other states mobilise support for victims

With reports confirming the involvement of tourists from Karnataka, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah called an emergency meeting to coordinate the state’s response.  

“I strongly condemn the heinous terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam, J&K. Kannadigas are among the victims of this shocking incident,” he said in a post. Teams of senior officials and police have been dispatched to Jammu and Kashmir, along with a Sports Department team led by Commissioner Chethan.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, too, expressed his grief and frustration. “The news of tourists being killed and injured in the cowardly terrorist attack in Pahalgam is extremely condemnable and heartbreaking,” he wrote. He called on the central government to go beyond claims of normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir and instead “take concrete steps so that such barbaric incidents do not happen in the future.”

As search operations continue and the full extent of the tragedy is assessed, the country watches with mourning and outrage.