Attack marks deadliest civilian targeting in India since 2008 Mumbai attacks
Indian security forces have mobilized extensively across Kashmir’s Himalayan terrain, launching a sweeping operation to locate militants responsible for a Tuesday assault that left 26 tourists dead. Authorities deployed tens of thousands of armed personnel, establishing roadblocks and conducting vehicle inspections as businesses shuttered following appeals by local leaders.
In an official statement, the Indian military confirmed ongoing efforts to apprehend those involved, emphasizing a commitment to “delivering justice.” The previously obscure group Kashmir Resistance has taken responsibility for the violence, citing grievances over the settlement of over 85,000 non-residents in the region, which they claim has altered its demographic balance.
The attack unfolded in Pahalgam, a popular meadow destination, where four assailants opened fire. Among the victims were 25 Indian nationals and one Nepalese citizen, marking the highest civilian death toll since the 2008 Mumbai terrorist strikes. Prime Minister Narendra Modi curtailed his diplomatic visit to Saudi Arabia, returning to Delhi to convene emergency meetings with security officials.
The incident pahalgam terror attack deals a blow to Modi’s administration, which has long touted the revocation of Jammu and Kashmir’s semi-autonomous status in 2019 as a step toward stability. The region, now divided into two federally governed territories, has seen heightened tensions, including targeted violence against non-local workers and Hindus.
This escalation contrasts with the rarity of tourist-focused attacks in Kashmir’s conflict. A June 2024 bus bombing that killed nine Hindu pilgrims had previously underscored the volatile climate. The Kashmir Resistance later asserted that Tuesday’s victims were “affiliated with Indian security agencies,” a claim disputed by authorities.
The assault triggered a mass departure of tourists, with airlines adding flights from Srinagar to accommodate evacuations. Local media captured scenes of travelers hastily leaving hotels, echoing sentiments like those of New Delhi visitor Sameer Bhardwaj, who told ANI, “Safety must come first—we can’t stay amid such fear.”
Pahalgam taxi driver Gulzar Ahmad lamented the attack’s economic and human toll: “Our livelihood relies on tourism, but lives matter most. Those responsible must face severe consequences to deter future atrocities.”
Global condemnation followed, with U.S. Vice President JD Vance—visiting India at the time—calling the event “horrific.” Former U.S. President Donald Trump and leaders like Russia’s Vladimir Putin and Italy’s Giorgia Meloni denounced the violence. UN Secretary-General António Guterres reiterated that “targeting civilians is indefensible.”
Kashmir’s Chief Minister Omar Abdullah acknowledged the tourist exodus as “heartbreaking but understandable,” pledging support for safe departures. His administration reported a record 23 million visitors in 2024, a figure now overshadowed by renewed instability.
Since 2019, New Delhi’s policies—including domicile laws enabling outsiders to acquire land and jobs—have drawn criticism for eroding civil liberties. While officials hinted at possible Pakistani militant involvement, no formal attribution was confirmed. Pakistan’s Foreign Office extended condolences but refrained from direct commentary on the perpetrators.