The Pahalgam Attack: Tragedy, Terror, and the Troubling Role of Pakistan
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and public scrutiny.
1. The Horrific Day: What Happened in Pahalgam
On April 22, 2025, at around 2:00 PM, terror struck the scenic region of Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag district. Basran, also known as "Mini Switzerland" due to its breathtaking beauty, witnessed an unimaginable tragedy when terrorists opened fire on unsuspecting tourists.
The attackers, having infiltrated through the dense Pir Panjal forests, launched a brutal assault. Four tourists were first questioned about their religion. Upon learning they were Hindus, the assailants executed them at point-blank range. Chaos ensued as more gunmen emerged from the trees, indiscriminately shooting at people. A selfie video captured by a zip-lining tourist recorded part of the mayhem.
By the time the shooting ended, 26 people had lost their lives: 24 Indian tourists (mostly Hindus), one Nepali, and one local Kashmiri who attempted to resist the attackers.
2. Response and Initial Investigation
The absence of immediate security presence at the attack site allowed the terrorists to vanish into the forests. The first emergency call came at 2:30 PM, and rescue helicopters arrived at 3:40 PM—over an hour after the attack began.
Security personnel later recovered over 100 bullet cartridges. Eyewitnesses described the attackers as wearing a mix of military-style uniforms and traditional kurta-pyjamas. They were armed with AK-47 rifles and M4 carbines, indicating high-level training and access to advanced weaponry.
3. Government and Security Reaction
Prime Minister Modi, then on a visit to Saudi Arabia, returned immediately. Home Minister Amit Shah was dispatched to Srinagar to coordinate a high-level security response involving the Army, CRPF, Jammu and Kashmir Police, and special units like the 21 National Rifles.
Advanced Light Helicopters and drones were reintroduced for surveillance. Meanwhile, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) began collecting forensic evidence from the scene.
4. Claim of Responsibility and Suspected Perpetrators
Responsibility for the attack was initially claimed by The Resistance Front (TRF), a terror group widely believed to be a front for Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), backed by Pakistan’s ISI. Later, TRF denied the claim, citing a supposed Indian cyber-attack on their account—a contradiction that raised suspicions.
Intelligence sources identified key attackers such as Asif Sheikh, Suleman Shah, and Abu Talha—suspected Pakistani nationals. Notably, one operative, Hashim Musa, was allegedly a para-commando from Pakistan’s Special Services Group (SSG), and two attackers were heard speaking Pashto—uncommon in Kashmir but spoken in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
5. India’s Diplomatic and Security Countermeasures
India’s response was swift and multi-faceted:
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Suspension of the Indus Water Treaty
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Closure of the Wagah Border
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Visa cancellations for Pakistani nationals
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Expulsion of Pakistani defense advisors from India
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Banning 16 Pakistani YouTube channels that spread provocative content
Sketches of the attackers were released, and multiple properties of suspected terrorists were demolished in both North and South Kashmir.
6. Tactical Details: Terrorists’ Strategy and Escape
The terrorists managed to evade capture despite multiple near-interceptions in areas like South Kashmir, Kulgam, and Kokernag. Their tactics—such as avoiding mobile communication and stealing food from locals—complicated tracking efforts. A banned Chinese Huawei satellite phone and Ultraset devices were also found at the scene, suggesting cross-border smuggling and external support.
7. The Pakistani Narrative and Denial
While India built a case pointing to Pakistan’s involvement, the Pakistani establishment oscillated between denial and deflection. Defense Minister Khawaja Asif and former cricketer Shahid Afridi accused India of staging the attack. Simultaneously, Pakistan suspended trade with India and banned Indian aircraft from using its airspace.
In contrast, former Pakistani diplomats and ministers have openly acknowledged Pakistan’s historical support of terror groups—both for internal objectives and as tools against India.
8. The Geopolitical Backdrop: Why Pakistan Uses Terrorism
The roots of Pakistan's use of terrorism lie in its military-dominated governance model. Since independence, Pakistan's military has leveraged anti-India sentiment to maintain power. With a weaker economy and military compared to India, Pakistan embraced terrorism as a "low-cost, high-impact" strategy.
During the Afghan-Soviet war, Pakistan trained Mujahideen fighters with U.S. funding. Post-1990s, these fighters were repurposed for operations in Kashmir under LeT and Jaish-e-Mohammed. The doctrine of “bleeding India by a thousand cuts”, as articulated by General Mirza Aslam Beg, exemplified this strategic mindset.
The presence of nuclear weapons further emboldened Pakistan. Fearing full-scale war between nuclear nations, global powers often pressured India to show restraint after attacks like Kargil, Pathankot, and Pulwama.
9. The Human Cost and Ongoing Struggle
While Pakistan’s military continues to pursue this strategy, its citizens suffer. The country has lost over 500 lives to domestic terrorism in the past decade, and has incurred $100 billion in economic damages. Diplomatically isolated, Pakistan's influence on global platforms has waned drastically.
In contrast, India continues its economic and strategic rise. Yet, the threat of cross-border terrorism remains a significant national security challenge.
10. Conclusion: The Path Forward
Despite Pakistan's repeated use of terror as a state policy, its objectives—reversing India’s hold on Kashmir or destabilizing India—have consistently failed. Experts argue that meaningful change in Pakistan’s behavior is unlikely without:
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A strong civilian government challenging military dominance (unlikely under current political realities)
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A visionary military leader seeking peace (as briefly seen under General Musharraf)
Until such shifts occur, India must remain vigilant, strengthen internal security, and pursue global diplomatic efforts to isolate state-sponsored terrorism.
