The deadly terrorist attack in the tourist destination of Pahalgam on April 22, 2025, that claimed 26 lives including 25 Indian tourists and one Nepali national, has heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, prompting significant diplomatic and security responses.
The attack
The attack unfolded in the picturesque Baisaran Valley, often dubbed mini-Switzerland, located approximately 5 kilometers from Pahalgam in the Anantnag district.
Around 4–6 gunmen, emerging from dense pine forests opened fire indiscriminately on tourists enjoying the meadow’sscenic beauty.
Eyewitnesses described chaotic scenes as gunfire erupted, with tourists scrambling for cover. Some were evacuated on horseback by local guides, while others were airlifted to hospitals. At least 17 people were injured.
The Jammu and Kashmir Police reported that the attackers targeted three separate locations within the valley, killing five at one site, two in an open field, and others near a fencing structure. The precision and coordination of the assault, coupled with the use of military-grade weapons, have led intelligence sources to suspect external support, likely from Pakistan-based operatives.
Who is responsible for the barbaric act?
A lesser-known militant group, The Resistance Front (TRF), claimed responsibility for the attack via Telegram, citing grievances over outsiders settling in Kashmir and triggering a demographic change.
Indian security officials have identified TRF as a proxy of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), with LeT commander Saifullah Kasuri, alias Khalid, named as the mastermind. The on-ground operation was reportedly led by Asif Fauji, with 4–5 terrorists, including Pakistani nationals, infiltrating the valley days before the attack. The Jammu and Kashmir Police released sketches of three suspects, two of whom are believed to be Pakistan nationals.
India responds with strong diplomatic measures
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, cutting short a visit to Saudi Arabia, chaired a Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) meeting on April 23, attended by Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. India has since implemented several retaliatory measures, including:
- Suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty: India announced the immediate suspension of the 1960 water-sharing agreement with Pakistan, a move Pakistan has labeled an ‘act of war.’ A meeting chaired by Home Minister Amit Shah on April 25 discussed further steps to formalize this suspension.
- Diplomatic reprisals: India suspended visa services for Pakistani nationals, excluding Long-Term Visas for Hindu Pakistanis, and reduced the strength of both countries’ High Commissions from 55 to 30 personnel by May 1, 2025. The Attari-Wagah border crossing has been closed, halting cross-border movement.
- Security Crackdown: Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi visited Srinagar on April 25 to review security arrangements, while a large-scale manhunt continues in Kashmir’s forests. Security has been heightenedat tourist spots across India, including Delhi.
Indian officials, including Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, have emphasized cross-border linkages to the attack, implicating Pakistan. Prime Minister Modi vowed that those responsible will not be spared.
Pakistan calls Indian measures an ‘act of war’
Pakistan has denied any involvement, with its leadership condemning the attack and calling for a thorough investigation.
Defense analysts in Pakistan, such as Mushahid Hussain, have suggested the attack could be a false flag operation by India to justify anti-Pakistan measures, pointing to India’s swift blame without conclusive evidence. Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif convened a National Security Committee meeting on April 24 to address the deteriorating situation, warning India against ‘misadventure.’
The attack has reignited protests and diplomatic friction. On April 25, members of the Indian diaspora protested outside Pakistan’s High Commission in London, while candlelight vigils and demonstrations across Jammu and Kashmir, including by hotel owners and traders, condemned the violence and its impact on tourism.
Impact on Kashmir
The Pahalgam attack has shattered the relative calm in Kashmir, where tourism had surged in recent years due to a decline in militant activity. The assault, targeting Hindu tourists during the peak season, has raised fears of communal tensions, especially given Pahalgam’s significance as a stop on the Amarnath Yatra pilgrimage route. Local business owners are already reporting cancellations, threatening the region’s economic recovery.
Globally, the attack has drawn condemnation. Nepal’s Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli expressed solidarity with India, confirming coordination to verify the Nepali victim’s status.
China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun also condemned the attack, opposing all forms of terrorism. Progressive parties at the Bharat Summit in Hyderabad issued a joint statement on April 25, denouncing the ‘barbaric’ act.
Political reactions in India
The attack has unified India’s political spectrum in condemnation. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, after discussions with Amit Shah and Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, called for justice and support for victims’families. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge announced nationwide candlelight marches on April 25 to honor the victims. However, some opposition voices, like Shiv Sena’s Sanjay Raut, have demanded Home Minister Amit Shah’sresignation, alleging security lapses.
What now?
As investigations continue, the Pahalgam attack has set the stage for a volatile period in India-Pakistan relations. India’ssuspension of the Indus Waters Treaty and border closures signal a hardline stance, while Pakistan’s defensive posture suggests a deepening rift.
In Kashmir, the hunt for the attackers persists, with security forces on high alert to prevent further strikes.