Kashmir terror attack kills 26 tourists in worst violence since 2008

Militants open fire in Pahalgam, killing Indian and Nepalese tourists as Kashmir faces renewed unrest.

Indian police officers stand guard at a checkpoint following a suspected militant attack near Pahalgam in Anantnag district, south Kashmir, on April 22, 2025. (c) Stringer/Reuters

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

In a brutal act of violence that has shaken India, 26 people were killed and 17 injured when suspected militants opened fire on a group of tourists in the Pahalgam area of Jammu and Kashmir, police confirmed on Wednesday. This Kashmir terror attack marks the deadliest assault on civilians in the region—and the country—since the 2008 Mumbai attacks, ending a period of relative calm and stability that had seen a boom in tourism in the disputed Himalayan territory.

The attack occurred late Tuesday in a scenic meadow near Pahalgam, a popular destination known for its lush valleys and trekking routes. Among the victims were 25 Indian nationals and one Nepalese citizen, according to authorities.

Modi government faces major setback in security narrative

The Kashmir terror attack is a direct challenge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s security strategy in the region, particularly since the revocation of Jammu and Kashmir’s semi-autonomous status in 2019. Modi, who was on a two-day diplomatic visit to Saudi Arabia, returned to New Delhi early Wednesday to address the crisis. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also cut short her international visit to the United States and Peru.

Upon arrival, Modi held an emergency meeting with top officials including National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. A special meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security was also convened later in the day to assess the situation and formulate a response.

For the Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which has portrayed its Kashmir policy as a path to peace and development, this attack represents a critical blow to its narrative. The revocation of Article 370 was seen by the BJP as a step toward full integration of Jammu and Kashmir into India. The recent surge in tourism was touted as evidence that the region had turned a corner.

Kashmir Resistance claims responsibility, cites demographic shift

A group calling itself the Kashmir Resistance claimed responsibility for the assault in a social media post. The group’s message expressed anger over what it described as a “demographic invasion” by over 85,000 outsiders, referring to the domicile rights granted to non-locals after the revocation of the region’s special status.

In a follow-up statement issued Wednesday, the group claimed that the targeted tourists were not mere civilians but individuals “linked to Indian security agencies” and involved in covert operations. “This was not a routine tourist group,” the statement read. “It was an undercover agency posing as tourists and conducting research. This attack should be a wake-up call for Delhi and its supporters.”

The credibility of these claims remains uncertain, but they have already heightened tensions in the region.

Security forces launch massive manhunt in Pahalgam

In response to the Kashmir terror attack, Indian security forces deployed hundreds of personnel to the affected area. A large-scale search operation was launched in the dense forests surrounding Pahalgam, according to two senior security officials who spoke to Reuters. Authorities have brought in nearly 100 individuals—previously suspected of militant sympathies—for questioning.

While the Kashmir Resistance is a relatively obscure group, Indian intelligence agencies believe it may be a proxy for established Pakistan-based militant organizations such as Lashkar-e-Taiba and Hizbul Mujahideen. These groups have long been accused of fueling the insurgency in Kashmir, often with direct or indirect support from elements within Pakistan.

Pakistan condemns attack but denies involvement

Pakistan, which also lays claim to the Kashmir region, condemned the killings but denied any role in the assault. “We are concerned at the loss of tourists’ lives,” Pakistani foreign ministry spokesman Shafqat Ali Khan said in a statement. “We extend our condolences to the families of the deceased and wish the injured a speedy recovery.”

Pakistan maintains that its support for the Kashmiri cause is limited to diplomatic and moral advocacy, though India has consistently accused its neighbor of harboring and aiding militant groups.

Local response: shutdowns, school closures, and evacuation rush

The Kashmir terror attack has caused widespread panic across the territory. Over a dozen local organizations announced a shutdown on Wednesday in protest against the violence, calling it a blow to the territory’s budding economy, which had increasingly relied on tourism.

Schools suspended classes for the day, and many local businesses remained closed. In Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, tourists packed hotels and scrambled to find transportation out of the area. Television footage showed guests hurriedly leaving their accommodations, some visibly distressed.

“How can we continue our trip in such a situation?” asked Sameer Bhardwaj, a tourist from New Delhi. “Everyone is tense. We need to think of our safety first.”

Airlines add emergency flights as highway remains shut

Due to heavy rainfall and resulting landslides, the main highway connecting Srinagar with the rest of India remained closed, further complicating evacuation efforts. In response, airlines added special flights to help tourists leave the region.

Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu Kinjarapu's office announced four additional flights from Srinagar—two each to Delhi and Mumbai—with more kept on standby. The ministry also directed airlines to maintain regular fare levels and avoid price hikes during this emergency.

Militancy in Kashmir: a long history of bloodshed

The Kashmir terror attack is the latest chapter in a decades-long insurgency that has claimed tens of thousands of lives since 1989. While levels of violence have decreased in recent years, the underlying tensions between India and Pakistan, both nuclear powers, continue to fuel unrest in the region.

In 2019, India’s decision to revoke Jammu and Kashmir’s special constitutional status and divide the state into two federally administered territories triggered international criticism and further strained ties with Pakistan. The move allowed non-residents to buy land and apply for government jobs in the region—fueling fears of demographic change among the local population.

Rare but deadly: tourists targeted in past incidents

While militant violence in Kashmir has mostly targeted security forces and local political figures, tourists have occasionally been caught in the crossfire. The last major incident occurred in June 2024 when nine people were killed and 33 injured after a militant attack caused a bus carrying Hindu pilgrims to plunge into a gorge.

Such attacks are rare but devastating, especially as tourism has emerged as a lifeline for the conflict-scarred region. The latest assault has not only reignited security concerns but also undermined efforts to promote Kashmir as a peaceful destination.

What lies ahead

As India reels from the deadliest civilian attack in nearly two decades, pressure is mounting on the Modi government to restore a sense of security in Jammu and Kashmir. The administration’s long-term strategy—based on revocation of special status, increased infrastructure development, and boosted tourism—now faces its most significant test.

The Kashmir terror attack has laid bare the challenges of achieving lasting peace in one of the world’s most volatile regions. As investigations continue and the combing operations intensify, India’s path forward remains uncertain—but it is clear that the shadow of militancy has not yet lifted from the valley.