Pahalgam Attack

Table of Contents

Before delving into the Pahalgham Attack, let’s first understand what the Kashmir Issue is. It is a territorial conflict between India and Pakistan, which started after the demarcation of the subcontinent in 1947. In percentage, India occupies 55% of it, Pakistan occupies 30% of it, and the remaining 15% is occupied by China.

India and Pakistan have fought three wars over the area. Before the Pahalgam Attack, there was also a deadliest attack in Pulwama on 14 February 2019, in which a suicide bomber killed over 40 Indian soldiers. This sparked tension between India and Pakistan, which gave birth to various skirmishes.

Pahalgam (valley of shepherds) is a beautiful region in the Indian-administered union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The region is famous for its serene views, which have made it a popular tourist destination. This place is also called the “Switzerland of India.” This area is high altitude, and visitors go there on foot or horseback.

What happened in Pahalgam Attack?

It was daytime, 20 April 2025, when people came to Pahalgham Baisaran Meadow to enjoy the beauty, some came for a honeymoon, and some were with their children. Everyone was busy, then four (two from Pakistan and two from Indian Administered Kashmir) anonymous gunmen opened fire at everyone there. Due to this, 26 people lost their precious lives, among the tourists, only men were targeted.

In the Pahalgam Attack, visitors from India were killed brutally, and some others were injured. This attack is one of the deadliest attacks after the Pulwama incident. The victims were killed based on their religion. According to CNN world, one Nepali National was also killed.

The firing lasted for 20 minutes, and then the army soldiers started to rescue the people.

Who was the mastermind of Pahalgam Attack?

India has repeatedly accused Pakistan of its involvement in the attack, but the Pakistani government has denied any involvement in the Pahalgam attack. Some people who were present at the attack said that in the attack, only those people were killed who were non-Muslims, but some do not agree with this point and say that the firing was random. While some also say that the armed men killed those people who showed support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Who claimed the responsibility of Pahalgham Attack?

The Resistant Front, a shadow group of Lashkar-e-Tayyiba which came into being in 2019, claimed responsibility killing of tourists in the Pahalgham Attack but soon withdrew from the claim. Is there any primary source to confirm it? No, we do not have.

This group has been classified as a terrorist organization by India, whose roots are linked with Lashkar-e-Tayyiba.

India’s response after Pahalgam attack

Following the attack on tourists, India has taken some measures in response.

These include:

India suspended the Indus Water Treaty, which was signed in 1960. This will lead to the stoppage of water from India to Pakistan.
The number of staff in the High Commission will be reduced.
Pakistanis who are visiting India are supposed to leave the territory.
The SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme has been cancelled.
Mainland borders have been shut down.
Staff in Islamabad have been withdrawn.

7. The personnel of the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi have been declared persona non grata.

Pakistan’s response to Pahalgam Attack

Although India has responded to the Pahalgam attack in several ways, Pakistan has also announced some countermeasures against India’s response:

Pakistan will close its airspace for Indian aircraft.
Pakistan will suspend all trade with India.
It will close Wagah-Attari border.
Pakistan has threatened India to suspend the Simla Peace Agreement (1972).
It will expel Indian diplomats.

The Pakistani government has said that any attempt to stop the water would be considered an act of war.

Reaction of world leaders on Pahalgam Attack

US President Donald Trump, US Vice President JD Vance, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and the UAE have all condemned the attack as a brutal crime.

Instead of fighting based on religion, both regions should follow DEI in Politics. Everyone should embrace diversity and create an inclusive environment for a better future.