Pahalgam Attack: On 22nd April, 2025, the beautiful Baisaran Valley of Pahalgam, fondly known as the “Mini Switzerland” of Kashmir, was rocked by a deadly terrorist attack that became a nightmare to many across the state. The attack that took place in Baisaran valley’s scenic grasslands took the life of 26 people comprising 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen, and injured many as well.
This horrific incident has caused shock waves in India, raising a new round of security concerns in the region and elicited quick reactions by the government, security agencies, and political parties. Find the incident details, details of protest throughout the nation, and the government’s further action plan in this short article.
Pahalgam Terrorist Attack Details
- The attack took place early in the morning of April 22, hitting civilians at Baisaran Valley, a popular tourist spot in the South Kashmir’s scenic Anantnag district, some 90 kilometers away from Srinagar.
- As reported, terrorists with heavy guns made a collective attack, indiscriminately firing upon visitors and locals in the area. The quiet valley that is filled with greenery and is located near Amarnath Yatra routes became a battlefield with booming sounds of gunfire filling the hills.
- After the recent Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) meeting, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri confirmed that the incident claimed 26 lives with others left in critical injuries.
- Security forces immediately surrounded the area and took the injured to nearby hospitals to undergo treatment.
Pahalgam Attack: CCS Meeting Conclusions Chaired by PM Modi
After a 2 hour long CCS meeting chaired by honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi, also attended by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and others, the following conclusions are revealed:
- The defence, military, naval and air advisors of the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi are declared Persona Non Grata. They are given a week to leave India.
- India will also act the same way by withdrawing its officials from Islamabad as well.
- Reduction in the strength of the High Commission from 55 to 30 persons, effective from 1st May, 2025.
- Indus Valley Treaty of 1960 with Pakistan shall be suspended till further notice. It has also been supported by the Union Minister of Jal Shakti, CR Paatil.
- Attari checkpost near Amritsar, Punjab shall be closed. The government has urged all those who are in Pakistan to return by 1st May, 2025.
- Under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES), Pakistan nationals cannot travel to India now. Those who are in India, are given 48 hours to leave India. Any visa given to Pakistani nationals under the SVES scheme in the past is now cancelled.
Pahalgam Attack Update
- Pahalgam Latest News: The security agencies have mounted a massive exercise to identify the perpetrators and the motive. Sketches of the suspected terrorists have been made public, and initial investigations suggest that terror outfits based in Pakistan are involved and terror group The Resistance Front (TRF) of Lashkar-e-Taiba has claimed responsibility as per reports, and is under the scanner.
- Sources suggest that the attack was a well-planned affair, taking advantage of the peak tourist traffic that Pahalgam experiences in the spring season.
- Intelligence units, steered by National Security Advisor, Ajit Doval, are investigating possible security lapses, especially since Pahalgam is a popular tourist and pilgrimage center.
- The timing of the attack, only a few months ahead of the Amarnath Yatra, has raised eyebrows concerning efforts to destabilise the area.
- Security forces have stepped up operations within Jammu and Kashmir, with more troops seeing duty in areas like Anantnag, Srinagar, and other at-risk areas.
- Jammu & Kashmir CMO has announced 10 Lakh ex-gratia each for the family of those who lost their lives, 2 lakh for those who are seriously injured and 1 lakh for those who are minorly injured.
Hands On Response From Modi Government
Pahalgam Attack: The Indian government reacted promptly, with its top leaders mourning and promising action. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has aborted his UAE trip in the middle, came back to India and assured the nation by posting “Those behind this heinous act will be brought to justice…they will not be spared!”
Union Home Minister Amit Shah showed quick reflexes by reaching Srinagar on April 22 to take control of the situation by himself. He went to Baisaran meadow, where the attack had occurred, and paid homage to the victims.
Shah met with the bereaved families also and offered condolences, vowing a strong response. The purpose of his visit was to convey that they are working to bring peace into the region.
Defence Minister Shri Rajnath Singh, while speaking in New Delhi also assured the citizens that justice will be given to all those who have lost their lives.
Read in Hindi: Pahalgam Terror Attack: पहलगाम में आतंकी हमला, 28 पर्यटकों की मौत, भारत स्तब्ध
Pahalgam Attack: The attack was deplored by Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, labeling the culprits as “animals”. He has also laid more emphasis on tightening the security arrangements in the region.
Leader of the opposition Rahul Gandhi also conveyed their sympathy with the bereaved families, with Gandhi saying in a tweet, “The nation stands united against terrorism.”
The US Vice President JD Vance, who was on a 4-day visit to India, also offered condolences to the people of Kashmir. Further, he said that the US is ready to provide every assistance to the government and the people of India.
International and National Responses
The Pahalgam Attack has drawn unprecedented anger all over India, demonstrating protests and candle marches throughout the nation.
Vigils were organised in Jammu & Kashmir, Pune, Hyderabad, Ludhiana, parts of West Bengal, and other parts of the nation as well, with people asking for tougher counter-terror operations.
Internationally, the attack evoked denunciation by the Qatar, Saudi Arabia European Union, Bangladesh, Australia, New Zealand, Nepal, France and Israel with their leaders voicing sympathy with India.
Within Pakistan, however, the response has been subdued, with Dawn covering the incident but not commenting directly. The US under President Donald Trump and Russia’s Vladimir Putin also denounced the attack, with a promise by Putin to cooperate with counter-terrorism.
Pahalgam Attack: Various Cricketers and Bollywood celebrities including the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, Shah Rukh Khan, Alia Bhatt and others posted on social media and expressed their grief.
State CMs Responded Actively
Various CMs responded actively to this tragic incident and attended the last rites of the people who died from their states as well.
Other Visuals of Protests & Statements
The incident sparked huge anger among the people of the nation. Some people call it as Black Day, while others are protesting against it. The massacre has united people across the nation and people from various cities, institutions, organisations have together come on roads, protesting against the brutal killing of innocent people. The following tweets will show some visuals and statements from people to show their protest.
Players to Wear Black Bands in IPL Matches
Players and Umpires were wearing black armbands during the SRH vs MI match to show their support for people who died in Pahalgam.
Assistance from Airlines
Spicejet and Indigo have relaxed rhe rules for rescheduling and cancellation of flights from and to Srinagar till April 30th.
The True Weapon Against Violence
The brutal incident occurred in Pahalgam claiming 26 lives is a reminder to the globe that our world is still in the grip of terrorism and violence. While nations across the globe are always busy in developing their defence and addressing these threats, it is very crucial to understand that a war cannot guarantee peace, a war always results in another war of retaliation. True peace to settle disputes always comes from the true spiritual enlightenment.
Jagatguru Tatvdarshi Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj teaches us that the prime cause of our suffering lies in the lack of true spiritual knowledge in our lives. The awareness of the same when accompanied with the true devotion to Supreme God Kabir can empower the society with peace and harmony. The incident in Pahalgam sheds light on the need to shift our focus towards spiritual awakening, which can end violence and bring peace into the society.
To embrace the true spiritual knowledge of Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj, the only Complete Saint in the entire world, you can visit His website www.jagatgururampalji.org to gather more info. Alternatively, you can also watch His spiritual sermons at ‘Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj’ youtube channel.
