The anger in India is palpable after Islamist terrorists unleashed a horrendous attack on civilian tourists in the Phalgham region of Kashmir, India. A reported group of terrorists with links to Pakistan unfolded a brutal attack at the popular tourist resort in Pahalgam, on Tuesday. Around a dozen tourists were injured, and at least 26 innocent lives were lost—including two foreign nationals and two locals—when terrorists backed by the Islamist organizations of Lashkar-e-Taiba’s (LeT) proxy, The Resistance Front (TRF), carried out one of the most heinous terror attacks in the region since 2019.
The peaceful meadows of Baisaran Valley—often referred to as ‘mini Switzerland’—were turned into a graveyard as terrorists disguised in police-like uniforms descended from nearby hills and opened fire indiscriminately on unarmed tourists. The attack, which lasted for 3 to 5 minutes, targeted men after the attackers interrogated them about their religion and political leanings. Eyewitnesses confirmed that the terrorists asked for the names and checked identities of the tourists before opening fire, confirming that their victims were not Muslims.
The terrorists blamed the civilians for supporting Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “They then asked my father to recite an Islamic verse (probably the Kalma). When he failed to do so, they pumped three bullets into him, one on the head, one behind the ear and another in the back,” one victim recounts.
Elaborating on the attack one of the victims said, “I noticed that there were three to four attackers. After my husband was killed, I faced one of the terrorists and said, “You’ve killed my husband, kill me too. My son also confronted him and said, You dog, you killed my father, kill us too,” she recounted.
However the the terrorist bluntly replied, “I won’t kill you. Go and tell Modi.” Describing the scene further, she said, “The terrorists were right in front of us. They were not in army uniforms. Almost all the men were targeted. There were many newlywed couples, and in most cases, only the husbands were attacked while women and others were spared. Hindus were targeted. There were around 500 tourists present.”
The attacks come at the back of a shocking speech by Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir, where he spewed venomous rhetoric against Hindus, reinforcing the ideological poison of the Two-Nation Theory. In a fanatical speech at a clerical conference, he bluntly tied Pakistani identity to Sharia law and suggested that Hindus are inherently incompatible with Muslims in terms of religion, culture, and ideology.
After getting briefed about the dastardly attack, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked Union Home Minister Amit Shah to take immediately handle the situation. Modi who had been on a visit to Saudi Arabia cut short his trip to jet back to India to take stock of the situation and meet officials to discuss the details and manage the situation.
India has managed the Kashmir region in relative peace for the past few years and terrorist attacks had also come under control however now this shocking attack will force the Indian government to reconsider its strategies on how to respond to aggressors as well as the backers of the dastardly attacks.
Response from World Leaders
The US Vice President JD Vance is currently on a visit to India and it can be considered as no coincidence that the attacks have happened at the same time, as if looking to send a message to both nations and perhaps hamper the developing alliance in the process. The Vice President condoled the attacks as the US President Donald Trump also made a call to the Indian Prime Minister assuring his support to India.
The US President Donald Trump assured the support of the US saying his nation stands strong with India against terrorism, underlining that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the people of India “have our full support.”
“Deeply disturbing news out of Kashmir. The United States 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!” Trump said in a post on Truth Social.
Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday condemned the terror attack, saying the “brutal crime” has no justification whatsoever and its perpetrators will face a deserved punishment.
In a communication to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Putin extended condolences over the terrorist attack in Pahalgam. He expressed “sincere condolences over the tragic consequences of the terrorist attack in Pahalgam whose victims were civilians citizens of various countries.”
“This brutal crime has no justification whatsoever. We expect that its organizers and perpetrators will face a deserved punishment,” the Russian leader said. Putin reiterated Russia’s commitment to further increasing cooperation with Indian partners in fighting terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.
“Please convey words of sincere sympathy and support to the near and dear ones of the deceased as well as wishes for a speedy recovery of all injured,” he added.
Other world leaders like Saudi’s Bin Salman, Italy’s Meloni and Israel’s Netanyahu also assured support condemning the cowardly attacks.