On April 22, 2025, a devastating terrorist attack occurred in the Baisaran meadow near Pahalgam, a popular tourist destination in Jammu and Kashmir, India. Militants opened fire on tourists, resulting in the deaths of 26 individuals, predominantly Hindu civilians, and injuring many others.
Survivors recounted that the assailants, dressed in camouflage and posing as locals or security personnel, approached groups of tourists and asked them to identify their religion. Those who identified as Hindus were shot at point-blank range.
A previously unknown group, the Kashmir Resistance, claimed responsibility for the attack. Indian authorities have accused Pakistan of supporting the militants, a claim that Pakistan denies.
In response to the attack, the Indian government has taken several measures:
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi granted the military full operational freedom to retaliate, including the method and timing of any response.
- India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty and closed its airspace to Pakistani aircraft.
- Authorities demolished the homes of individuals suspected to be involved in the attack.
Pakistan, in turn, has warned of potential imminent military action by India, citing credible intelligence suggesting an attack in the next 24–36 hours.
The attack has led to heightened tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors, with increased cross-border ceasefire violations reported. International bodies, including the United Nations and the United States, have urged both countries to exercise restraint and avoid further escalation.
The incident has also raised serious concerns about the security situation in Kashmir, casting a shadow over efforts to promote peace and tourism in the region.
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