2025 Pahalgam attack

2025 Pahalgam attack was a terrorist attack on tourists by five armed terrorists near Pahalgam in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir in which 26 civilians were killed on 22 April 2025. The militants mainly targeted Hindu tourists, though a Christian tourist and a local Muslim were also killed. The attackers, armed with M4 carbines and AK-47s , entered the tourist spot in Baisaran Valley surrounded by dense pine forests. This incident is considered the deadliest attack on civilians in India since the 2008 Mumbai attacks . The Resistance Front (TRF), which is believed to be an offshoot of Pakistan-based, UN-designated, Islamist terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), initially claimed responsibility for the attack. TRF released a statement that the attack was in opposition to non-local settlement in the region resulting from the abolition of the special status of Kashmir. After a few days, TRF denied its involvement in the attack. Previously, TRF has claimed responsibility for several attacks in Indian-administered Kashmir targeting religious minorities. The militants singled out the men and asked for their religion before shooting the Hindu and Christian tourists. The attackers also asked some tourists to recite the Islamic kalima , a Muslim declaration of faith, to identify non-Muslims. Of the 26 people killed, 25 were tourists, and one was a local Muslim pony ride operator who tried to wrestle a gun from the attackers. The tourists included several newlywed couples, and the men were shot point-blank in front of their wives. The attack intensified tensions between India and Pakistan as India accused Pakistan of supporting cross-border terrorism and suspended the Indus Waters Treaty , expelled Pakistani diplomats and closed borders . Pakistan rejected these claims and retaliated by suspending the Simla Agreement , restricting trade, and closing airspace. A standoff between both countries led to a military conflict on 7 May 2025 when India launched airstrikes targeting alleged terror camps in Pakistan. "Witnesses reported the assailants shouted Islamic slogans and specifically targeted people who appeared to be Hindu." Jamkhandikar, Shilpa (24 April 2025). The New York Times . A list of the victims circulating online, which was verified by local officials in Kashmir, showed that 25 of the 26 killed were Hindus. Indian survivors of Kashmir attack say gunmen asked if they were Hindus and opened fire Manral, Mahender Singh (23 April 2025). "Terrorists were wearing camouflage outfits, carried M4 carbine, AK-47s, fired 70 rounds: Initial probe" . Most of the victims were Hindu men Singh, Vijaita (3 May 2025). "Pahalgam terrorist attack: Terrorists mingled with crowd, herded them towards armed members who killed tourists at Baisaran" . Council on Foreign Relations . Al Jazeera . opposed the granting of residency permits to "outsiders", who critics say could help India change the demography of the disputed region "The Resistance Front denies involvement in Pahalgam attack as global pressure mounts" . "Pahalgam terror attack: Terrorists asked name and religion of male tourists, shot them, says survivor" . When the militants reached their tent, Asavari said they asked her father, Santosh Jagdale, to come out and recite an Islamic verse. "Terrorists cursed Modi, asked my father to recite Islamic verse before shooting him: Daughter" .