Terror Attack On April 22, 2025, a serene morning in the picturesque hill town of Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, turned into one of the darkest chapters in India’s counter-terror history. ❌ Armed terrorists opened fire on unarmed tourists, leaving 26 people dead and over 40 injured in a matter of minutes. 🕯️
This attack wasn’t just a random act of violence – it was a strategic, premeditated strike on India’s growing tourism in Kashmir. This article uncovers the real story, going beyond surface-level reports.
📍 What Happened in Pahalgam Terror Attack?
The attack occurred at Baisaran Valley, a famous meadow near Pahalgam. Known as “Mini Switzerland”, it’s a haven for honeymooners and nature lovers.
🕒 Time: Around 10:15 AM 📍 Location: Baisaran Tourist Point
According to survivor reports, the terrorists emerged from a forested slope above the meadow. They were dressed as local guides and opened fire on a group of tourists mostly from Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh. 🧳
🎙️ “There was chaos… people were screaming, some hid behind horses, some in the forest,” said Arathi, a survivor from Uttar Pradesh.
Within 15 minutes, the attackers had killed 26 people. Over 40 were injured, some critically, and many still remain hospitalized in Srinagar and Anantnag. 🏥
🕵️ Who Were the Attackers? 💣
Initial claims were made by The Resistance Front (TRF), a lesser-known proxy of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). However, deeper investigation by Indian intelligence pointed to:
🔍 Direct involvement of Hafiz Saeed, LeT chief and mastermind of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. Saeed acted as the handler, providing logistical and digital support from Lahore.
🧾 Confirmed Names of Attackers:
- 🧟 Hashim Musa – Pakistani national; infiltrated via Poonch sector in March 2025
- 🧟 Ali Suleman – Pakistani national; weapons expert
- 🧟 Adil Thokar – Local youth from Kulgam, trained in Pakistan in 2018
- 🧟 Bilal Wani – Logistics coordinator; provided local transport and fake IDs
📲 Evidence from seized mobile phones showed the attackers received live instructions via an encrypted Telegram channel named “Shaheed-e-Kashmir”.
🏚️ J&K administration demolished Adil Thokar’s ancestral house as a warning to local terror sympathizers.
👁️ Survivor Stories That Will Break Your Heart 💔
😭 A Child’s Loss
10-year-old Aryan Sharma survived with a bullet wound to his arm. His parents died shielding him from the bullets.
🧸 “Mumma pushed me down and lay on top… I felt her stop breathing,” Aryan told NDTV.
💔 A Honeymoon Turned Nightmare
Newlyweds Aditi and Kunal from Mumbai were on their honeymoon. Kunal was shot while trying to protect his wife.
💬 “He told me to run… I heard the gunshot. I still hear it every night.” – Aditi, now undergoing trauma therapy.
😢 A Man’s Final Words
Eshanaay, wife of Shubham Dwivedi, shared that the terrorist asked if they were Hindus before pulling the trigger.
🩸 “Shubham whispered to me, ‘I love you’ right before he was shot in the chest.”
🛑 India’s Powerful Response 💥
🚫 Diplomatic Blitz on Terror Attack
- India revoked all Pakistani visas and suspended backdoor diplomacy.
- Indus Waters Treaty suspended, stopping upstream water sharing with Pakistan.
- India formally wrote to the UN Security Council demanding action against Pakistan’s state-sponsored terror.
🪖 Military Reactions on Terror Attack
- Operation Trinetra launched: Army cordoned off 18 villages across Anantnag and Kulgam.
- Special Forces neutralized 3 suspects in a follow-up encounter.
- IED blasts used to demolish terrorist hideouts — a first since 2019.
🏛️ Political Reactions on Terror Attack
- PM Modi and HM Amit Shah visited Pahalgam, met victims.
- ₹50 lakh ex gratia to families of deceased; ₹10 lakh for the injured.
- Rahul Gandhi tweeted, “No politics today. We all stand with Pahalgam.”
🌍 Global Support: India’s Diplomatic Victory
- 🇺🇸 US Secretary of State: “Pakistan must dismantle terror safe havens.”
- 🇫🇷 France: “India can count on France to fight terrorism.”
- 🇬🇧 UK Parliament held a minute of silence for the victims.
- 🇦🇪 UAE Crown Prince condemned the attack, called Modi to express solidarity.
📵 The Media Didn’t Tell You This:
📡 Intelligence Warnings Ignored
Sources from RAW claim chatter about a “high-value soft target” had increased on April 18-19, 2025. Local police requested reinforcements, but they arrived 48 hours too late.
👣 Instagram Tracking
Attackers followed Gujarati tourists on Instagram to monitor their movement, using hashtags like #Pahalgam #Baisaran #KashmirTrip.
🐄 Weapon Smuggling Route
Guns and grenades were brought into Pahalgam hidden in cow dung trucks meant for local farms — a security blind spot.
📹 Must-Watch Videos 🎥(MiKK Recommendation)
- 🔴 Christian Family Targeted in Pahalgam: Shocking Testimony
- 💣 Terrorist’s Home Demolished With IED
- 💬 BBC Article On Attack
- 🎤 Pahalgam attackers, conspirators will be punished beyond their imagination: PM Modi
📌 What Needs to Happen Next 🧭
✅ National security needs AI-based surveillance for early warnings
✅ Tourist spots in Kashmir should have panic alert systems
✅ Youth radicalization must be countered with education and job programs
✅ Local police must be trained to handle high-tech surveillance tools
🕯️ Final Thoughts: India Will Never Forget
The Pahalgam Terror Attack is a deep wound in our nation’s soul. But from this pain arises a stronger resolve – to fight terror, to protect our people, and to hold accountable those who seek to destroy peace.
Let us remember the fallen, support the survivors, and work towards a future where such tragedies are never repeated. 🙏
Jai Hind. #NeverForget