A terrorist attack occurred on April 22, 2025, in Baisaran, near Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, resulting in multiple casualties. Gunmen opened fire on a group of tourists in the popular meadow, a scenic area surrounded by snow-capped mountains and pine forests. The victims, primarily Indian nationals, sustained gunshot wounds and were evacuated to local hospitals. Authorities have labeled the incident a “terror attack” and attribute it to militants opposing Indian rule in the disputed region. Security forces have sealed off the area and initiated a manhunt for the perpetrators.
The attack coincided with the visit to India of U.S. Vice President JD Vance, who is on a largely personal four-day visit. The Kashmir conflict, ongoing since 1989, sees frequent tensions, with India accusing Pakistan of sponsoring terrorism—an accusation Pakistan denies. The local population includes many Muslim Kashmiris who support the cause of independence or joining Pakistan. This incident marks one of the most significant attacks on civilians in the region in recent years.
The Chief Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir, Atal Dulloo, has chaired a high-level meeting of top officials to review the security scenario in the wake of the terror attack on tourists in the Pahalgam area. The meeting deliberated on taking further steps to strengthen the security grid in view of the ongoing tourist season. The Chief Secretary emphasized the need to preserve the visible conducive environment and instructed law enforcement agencies to be vigilant against inimical forces. He also called for the devising of standard operating procedures to minimize the chances of any terror incident by terrorists.
The attack has drawn widespread condemnation from various quarters, with calls for enhanced security measures to ensure the safety of tourists and civilians in the region.
