A brutal terrorist attack in Pahalgam’s Baisaran Valley has shattered dreams, reignited fear, and exposed the fragile calm, threatening Kashmir’s hard-earned progress and hopes for lasting peace
Holidaying in happiness turned into a nightmare at the idyllic landscape of Pahalgam, often described as a ‘heaven on earth’, as a scene of unimaginable horror broke open on April 22, 2025.
A brazen terrorist attack on a group of tourists in the Baisaran Valley — mainly men being killed based on their religious identity — resulted in the tragic and unfortunate loss of at least 28 lives and left over 20 others critically injured.
This barbaric act, claimed by ‘The Resistance Front’ (TRF), a shadow outfit of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), has not only devastated families and shattered dreams but has also ripped apart the fragile veneer of normalcy that authorities had been attempting to bring back in the Kashmir Valley.
The gruesome incident unfolded in the afternoon of 22 April when a group of four to six heavily armed militants, disguised in military — style uniforms, emerged from the dense forests surrounding Baisaran Valley (a meadow accessible only by foot or pony and an open area with no hideouts for safety). According to eyewitness accounts, the assailants systematically targeted non-Muslim tourists after checking their identities and religious affiliations.
This selective targeting underscores the malicious intent to sow communal discord and further destabilise the region. The victims included 24 tourists from various parts of India, two local residents, and two foreign nationals from Nepal and the UAE. The serene meadow erupted into chaos and grief in the attack’s immediate wake.
Social media feeds flooded with harrowing videos — terrified cries for help mingled with the grim sight of lifeless bodies scattered across the once-picturesque landscape.
The emotional wounds inflicted on the bereaved families are immeasurable. While the Government’s offer of `20 lakhs for information on the terrorists’ location is one step to involve citizens’ participation in nabbing the culprit, it cannot erase the haunting memories of this devastation.
The image of the young woman beside her fallen Navy officer husband, a honeymoon tragically cut short; the local pony owner’s family, now without their sole provider after his courageous son tried to shield tourists; the woman forced to witness the brutal murder of her husband and son; the recently married IAF officer from Arunachal Pradesh on vacation — these stories of unimaginable loss and despair paint a stark and enduring picture of terrorism’s human cost, shattering the illusion (read deception) of calm in this vulnerable region.
Following the Pahalgam attack, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) recommended a set of five decisive actions against Pakistan — that included holding the ‘Indus Waters Treaty of 1960’ in abeyance until verifiable cessation of cross-border terrorism; immediate closure of the ‘Integrated Check Post Attari’ with a grace period until 1 May for those with valid endorsements to return; the cancellation of all ‘SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme’ (SVES) visas for Pakistani nationals with a 48-hour deadline for those currently in India to depart; the declaration of Pakistan’s Defence/Military, Naval, and Air Advisors in New Delhi as ‘Persona
Non Grata’ with a week to leave (and a reciprocal withdrawal of Indian counterparts from Islamabad along with five support staff from each mission); and a significant reduction in the overall strength of High Commissions from 55 to 30 personnel by May 1, 2025.
The Pahalgam attack has triggered widespread condemnation across India, with many viewing it as a direct assault on the nation’s unity and secular fabric. Many countries, including the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, and several European and Middle Eastern nations, especially the UAE, issued strong statements condemning the attack.
They emphasised the need for international cooperation to eradicate terrorism and called for the perpetrators to be brought to justice. This incident has added a new dimension to Kashmir’s intricate geopolitical scenario.
For decades, this region has been a fiercely contested territory between India and Pakistan, leading to repeated conflicts and border tensions and solidifying its status as a highly sensitive area. The situation has become even more complex with China’s bordering presence. Adding to this volatile mix, Bangladesh has recently emerged as a neighbour in dispute with India, further intensifying regional dynamics.
The timing of this unrest could be a calculated move to draw international attention to the Kashmir issue and undermine India’s attempts to showcase normalcy, particularly as it coincided with US Vice President JD Vance’s visit and the ongoing WAQF debate. Moreover, striking at the height of the tourist season — a critical period for the local economy — is a calculated attempt to inflict maximum economic harm and cultivate an atmosphere of fear, thereby disrupting peace and stability.
Since the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019, the Indian Government has been actively pursuing peace-building and confidence — regaining measures in Jammu and Kashmir, while also promoting local entrepreneurship and development, recognising the practicalities of the situation on ground, which had begun to yield positive results, thereby projecting a return to normalcy in the region.
The recent attack has severely impacted its sector, specifically, the recovering tourism sector in Jammu and Kashmir. Travel agencies in Delhi experienced nearly 90 per cent booking cancellations, as per media reports.
This reverses the remarkable growth from 1.62 crore tourists in 2019 to 2.36 crore in 2024, which had significantly boosted local economies and livelihoods dependent on the hospitality industry, including hotels, houseboats, guides, and artisans, thereby reigniting fear and uncertainty.
Amidst the tears of this tragedy, the response of the Kashmiri people showcased a powerful display of humanity. Immediately following the attack, residents rushed to the scene to assist the injured tourists.
They helped with evacuations, offered first aid, and provided emotional support to those traumatised by the event. A day later, on April 23, religious organisations condemned the attack and large numbers of Kashmiri citizens took to the streets in protest of this massacre, holding peaceful demonstrations with the Tricolour, besides candlelight vigils, further underscoring the rejection of violence by the local population and their desire for peace and stability.
It would not be an exaggeration to say that the insidious nature of terrorism often finds fertile ground in the tilled soil of human emotions — fear, anger, and envy — emotions that are tragically amplified by the harsh realities of systemic inequalities and sometimes, forced acts of blind belief.
It is a matter of grave national concern to observe the seeds of violence taking root even in our villages, and growing children’s aggressive behaviour. This early violence is often a bitter harvest of neglect, stemming from a lack of fundamental education that instils mutual respect, and the gnawing anxiety of unemployment, that darkens the horizons of their future. These interconnected issues demand serious and sustained attention to prevent the escalation of individual frustrations into larger societal threats.
While the Government is taking strong counter-terrorism measures in light of this barbaric attack, the participation of citizens in rebuilding the shaken confidence is crucial. Despite this barbaric act that threatens to undermine the hard-won progress in the Valley, rebuilding trust is now paramount. The time is now to act — in all directions, for peace is the only way.
(The writer is a programme executive Gandhi Smriti Sansthan. Views are personal)
