“The US stands strong with India against Terrorism. We pray for the souls of those lost, and for the recovery of the injured. Prime Minister Modi, and the incredible people of India, have our full support and deepest sympathies. Our hearts are with you all.” – President Donald J. Trump
Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir — April 23, 2025
A peaceful spring afternoon in the picturesque Baisaran Valley near Pahalgam (known by the tourism industry as India’s Switzerland) turned into a horrific nightmare on Sunday as heavily armed Islamic terrorists sprayed a hail of bullets from automatic weapons on group of unarmed tourists, killing 26 and injuring at least 17 others. Most of the victims were Hindu tourists visiting the region as part of a seasonal spiritual tour.
The gunmen, believed to be members of the Pakistan-backed terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and its affiliate, which has claimed responsibility – The Resistance Front (TRF), ambushed the group with military-grade weapons, including M4 carbines and AK-47 rifles, according to local security forces.
The attack has been the most devastating in Kashmir in 25 years, and resulted in the highest number of fatalities of any terrorist act on Indian soil since the 2008 26/11 attacks in Mumbai. In their statement claiming responsibility, the TRF stated that this was “just the beginning.”
Premeditated and Brutal – Terrorists Target Hindus
Survivors described scenes of chaos and horror. “They didn’t spare anyone. They fired on children, women, and elders alike,” said Pradeep Sinha, a survivor who lost both his wife and daughter in the attack. “They asked our names and our places of origin before they started shooting. They clearly knew who they were targeting.”
Local intelligence sources and official statements suggest the attackers deliberately targeted Hindus, marking a disturbing continuation of ideological terror campaigns aimed at altering the demographic and religious composition of Jammu and Kashmir.
Relatives of some victims say that it was demanded by the terrorists that victims recite first Islamic verses from the Islamic “Kalam.” When they couldn’t the victims – all male – were shot dead in front of their horrified relatives who then fled frantically through the woods.
Terror Group Claims Responsibility
TRF, which has previously claimed attacks on minority communities in the Union Territory, issued a statement claiming responsibility. The group cited opposition to the settlement of non-Kashmiris — particularly Hindus — as a motive, calling the attack a “warning” and a “new beginning.”
This rhetoric mirrors the group’s claims after the 2024 Reasi district massacre, where nine Hindu pilgrims were similarly ambushed and killed.
National and International Fallout
Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the attack in a late-night address, calling it “a gut-wrenching act of cowardice” and promising that “justice will be swift and unrelenting.”
India has responded by expelling Pakistani diplomats, suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, and closing its primary land border with Pakistan at Wagah. High-level security briefings are ongoing in New Delhi, with additional troop deployments to the Kashmir Valley already underway.
International leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump and U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, have condemned the cowardly massacre and expressed solidarity with India.
Indeed, US President Donald Trump has extended “full support and deepest sympathies” to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the people of India in the wake of the terrorist attack in Kashmir .”Deeply disturbing news out of Kashmir,” President Trump wrote on Truth Social. “The US stands strong with India against Terrorism. We pray for the souls of those lost, and for the recovery of the injured. Prime Minister Modi, and the incredible people of India, have our full support and deepest sympathies. Our hearts are with you all.”
The brazen killings occurred during the official visit of United States Vice President JD Vance who had come to India with his Indian-origin wife, Hindu, Second Lay of the United States Usha Chilikuri Vance, and their three bi-cultural Indian American children.
“Usha and I extend our condolences to the victims of the devastating terrorist attack in Pahalgam, India. Over the past few days, we have been overcome with the beauty of this country and its people. Our thoughts and prayers are with them as they mourn this horrific attack,” the US Vice President, who is currently in India, stated.
Tourism to Kashmir Crippled by Danger
The attack has cast a long shadow over Kashmir’s fragile tourism sector. After years of effort to stabilize the region and revive its economy through tourism, the massacre threatens to undo much of the progress.
The Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Department has suspended all tour operations in Pahalgam until further notice. Hotels in nearby towns are reportedly facing mass cancellations.
The Bigger Picture
Security experts say this incident is part of a broader pattern of cross-border terrorism originating in Pakistan at the instance, aiding and abetting of Pakistan’s intelligence services, the ISI, that has plagued the region for decades. “What we are witnessing is not just a sporadic terror attack — it’s a geopolitical message,” said retired Army General R. K. Sinha. “It’s about destabilizing India internally while simultaneously escalating diplomatic tensions.”
As the nation mourns, questions remain: How did such a heavily armed group cross into Indian territory undetected? What safeguards failed? And most urgently — how can the government protect its citizens and visitors from future attacks?
For now, grief grips the valley and the entire nation, as families prepare to bury their dead, and a the Indian people prepare for whatever comes next as the government vows that the attack will not go unanswered.
The Global Calcuttan Magazine 
