When people hear the word Pahalgam, they usually picture lush fields, calm rivers, and the faint scent of pine trees. Everyone who visits seems to experience a sense of calm as time seems to slow down there. But on April 22, 2025, that peace was tragically disrupted.
What should have been a day of joy and exploration turned into an absolute tragedy for dozens of tourists. Armed terrorists took control of the incredible Baisaran Valley and started shooting at helpless tourists who had only experienced the beauty of Kashmir. 26 lives were lost in a couple of minutes, destroying hopes, dreams, and families.
The Resistance Front (TRF), a terrorist group, initially claimed responsibility, saying they opposed the Indian government’s residency laws in Kashmir. Eventually, they retracted their accusation, saying there had been a communications breach. Since then, Indian intelligence services have concluded that Saifullah Kasuri, also known as Khalid, a senior commander of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), was responsible for the massacre.
The incident has significantly escalated tensions between India and Pakistan. India has accused Pakistan of supporting cross-border terrorism, leading to the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, the removal of Pakistani diplomats, and the closure of crossings. Pakistan has closed border crossings, limited trade, and suspended the Simla Agreement in response to these charges.
The Indian government has promised a strong response. Those involved, even hidden terrorists, would be held accountable, said Defense Minister Rajnath Singh. The sketches of the three suspects connected to the crime were made public by the National Investigation Agency’s investigation.
The National Human Rights Commission emphasized the importance of holding accountable those who support and assist terrorists. It described the killings as a serious violation of human rights.
At the same time, prominent Muslim organizations also condemned the attack, stating that terrorism is completely against Islam’s teachings of peace.
The government of Jammu and Kashmir responded to the tragedy by offering up to ₹2 lakh in compensation for the injured and ₹10 lakh for the families of each victim.
This terrible act caused deep pain by breaking families and taking lives. It also made the situation between India and Pakistan more tense, highlighting the need for strong steps against terrorism.
