On April 22, terrorists opened fire indiscriminately at tourists visiting the pristine Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam, Anantnag district, resulting in 26 deaths and many others critically injured. The shooting has rekindled fears of insecurity for a region still struggling to recover from years of conflict, the COVID-19 pandemic, and political instability.
The Attack: A Cowardly Strike on Innocence
A report by PTI revealed that at least 26 tourists were killed and 20 were injured by the terrorists. The 26 dead included two foreigners, one businessman from Karnataka, and two locals. Union Home Minister Amit Shah has reached Srinagar to conduct an urgent security review meeting with all agencies.
Kashmir Police confirmed the reports of shots being fired from the higher pastures of Pahalgam tourist resort in the Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir. Twenty people were confirmed injured at the Pahalgam terror attack by the Pahalgam District Hospital.
Political Reactions
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday (April 23, 2025) called for a meeting with RM Rajnath Singh, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, and Minister of External Affairs S. Jaishankar on arrival at the Delhi airport from Saudi Arabia to assess the situation after the Pahalgam terrorist attack that killed 26 people. The bodies of the 26 victims were brought to the Government Medical College (GMC) in Srinagar early on Wednesday and then to the Police Control Room, where Home Minister Amit Shah laid wreaths on them
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Rahul Gandhi also went on to say that he had communicated with Shah, Abdullah and Tariq Karra, president of Congress in J-K, on the terror attack in Pahalgam for an update on the situation.
Such a horrible happening was condemned in the U.S. by the Congress leader, who said that justice should be given to the families with that incident and "our complete support".
"Spoke with HM Amit Shah, J-K CM Omar Abdullah, and J-K PCC President Tariq Karra about the horrific Pahalgam terror attack. Received an update on the situation," he said in a post on X.
PM Modi's Big Message
On Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave an unequivocal message to terrorists, pledging that those responsible for the Pahalgam terror attack which left 28 people dead, will "be identified, tracked, and punished."
"On April 22, terrorists killed innocent people of the country in J&K's Pahalgam... The country is sad and in pain after this incident. We stand with the families of the victims. The terrorists will not be spared, strong action will be taken against them," PM Modi said.
Furthermore, PM said, "Today, on the soil of Bihar, I say to the whole world, India will identify, trace and punish every terrorist and their backers. We will pursue them to the ends of the Earth. India's spirit will never be broken by terrorism. Terrorism will not go unpunished. Every effort will be made to make sure that justice is done. The entire nation is one in this resolve. Everyone who believes in humanity is with us. I thank the people of various countries and their leaders who have stood with us."
India Takes Strong Measures Against Pakistan
On Thursday, Vikram Misri, the Foreign Secretary, announced that nationals of Pakistan would not be allowed to travel to India with the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) visas. He further stated that all such SVES visas that had been issued to Pakistani nationals in the past are rendered cancelled.
He said that a Pakistani national currently present in India under SVES visa would have 48 hours to leave India. The Foreign Secretary has also declared the Defence/Military, Naval, and Air Advisors in the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi as Persona Non Grata. As told by the Foreign Secretary, their present strength of 55 will be lowered to 30 by 1st May this time around.
Tourism Sector Devastated
This attack comes at a time when Jammu and Kashmir’s tourism industry was showing strong signs of recovery. Post-2018, and especially in the aftermath of COVID-19, the region has seen a steady rise in footfall, with travel agents and hoteliers reporting near pre-conflict business levels. April, being peak travel season, had seen a fresh wave of domestic tourists, many of whom were caught in the attack.
Stakeholders across the tourism sector are calling the incident a "massive setback." Panic has already begun to spread, with hotels and tour operators reporting booking cancellations.
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