Pahalgam Attack: Live Updates on Kashmir Terror Incident and Why It Happened

Pahalgam Attack: Live Updates on Kashmir Terror Incident and Why It Happened

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Key Highlights

  • Deadliest civilian strike in Kashmir since 2019 – 26 tourists (all men) were gunned down at Baisaran meadow, ~6 km above Pahalgam, on 22 April 2025. The Guardian
  • Gunmen in combat fatigues asked victims to state their names/religion before opening fire, then slipped back into the forest. Hindustan Times
  • A Lashkar-e-Taiba–linked outfit calling itself “The Resistance Front” (TRF) has claimed responsibility, condemning India’s domicile policy in J-K. www.ndtv.com
  • Full list of 26 deceased released; victims hailed from 12 Indian states and Nepal (see Part 2). Hindustan Times
  • Union HM Amit Shah flew to Srinagar within hours; NIA, Army and J-K Police have launched a massive man-hunt. mintThe Times of India
  • Security agencies have identified three prime suspects, code-named Moosa, Yunus & Asif. The Times of India
  • International condemnation poured in from the US, Russia, EU and UN; India blames Pakistan-based handlers. The GuardianAP News

The Attack – What Happened in Pahalgam?

On April 22, 2025, a serene afternoon in Jammu & Kashmir’s Pahalgam was shattered by a sudden, brutal terrorist attack. Baisaran meadow – a popular tourist spot nicknamed “mini-Switzerland” for its rolling greenery – turned into a scene of horror as gunmen in camouflage emerged from the surrounding forest and opened fire on unarmed tourists (‘Act of war’: What happened in Kashmir attack that killed 26 tourists? | Conflict News | Al Jazeera) (Pahalgam Attack: ‘Bharat won’t bend to terror,’ says Amit Shah; warns ‘culprits will not be spared’ – The Economic Times). Witnesses say around 3:00 PM, as families enjoyed pony rides and picnics, a volley of gunshots rang out without warning (Odisha Man Among Those Killed In Pahalgam, Was On Vacation With Wife, Son) (‘Act of war’: What happened in Kashmir attack that killed 26 tourists? | Conflict News | Al Jazeera).

Panic engulfed the meadow. Survivors recall sheer chaos – tourists running for their lives and hiding in tents or behind rocks as bullets flew (Pahalgam Terror Attack Updates: Our Guests Have Returned In Coffins, Says J&K Chief Minister As 26 Killed) (‘Act of war’: What happened in Kashmir attack that killed 26 tourists? | Conflict News | Al Jazeera). The attackers reportedly targeted men specifically, asking victims their religion before shooting (Pahalgam Terror Attack Updates: Our Guests Have Returned In Coffins, Says J&K Chief Minister As 26 Killed) (Pahalgam terror attack: Check full of victims and deceased – India Today). “They asked if we were Muslim and demanded we recite the Kalma. When my husband couldn’t, they shot him in the head,” said Pallavi, whose husband was killed in front of her (Pahalgam terror attack: They shot my husband dead right in front of me, says victim’s wife) (Pahalgam terror attack: They shot my husband dead right in front of me, says victim’s wife). Another survivor, Asavari Jagdale, recounted that the gunmen wore uniforms “similar to local police” and lured out her father by shouting “Tu bahar aa” (come outside) before executing him (Pahalgam Terror Attack Updates: Our Guests Have Returned In Coffins, Says J&K Chief Minister As 26 Killed) (Three from Pune injured in J&K attack – Hindustan Times).

By the time security forces arrived, the damage was done. At least 26 people lay dead and dozens were injured, making it “one of the worst terror attacks in Jammu & Kashmir in recent times” (Pahalgam Terror Attack Updates: Our Guests Have Returned In Coffins, Says J&K Chief Minister As 26 Killed) (Pahalgam Terror Attack Updates: Our Guests Have Returned In Coffins, Says J&K Chief Minister As 26 Killed). Initial reports indicated the toll could rise to as many as 28 (Pahalgam Terror Attack Updates: Our Guests Have Returned In Coffins, Says J&K Chief Minister As 26 Killed). (Indeed, two critically wounded victims later succumbed, bringing the final death toll to 28 (Pahalgam Attack: ‘Bharat won’t bend to terror,’ says Amit Shah; warns ‘culprits will not be spared’ – The Economic Times) (Pahalgam terror attack: Check full of victims and deceased – India Today).) It was a targeted massacre of civilians, unprecedented in Kashmir in years. The terrorists fled into the hills, sparking a massive manhunt as the idyllic valley was left stunned and grieving.

Lives Lost – Who Were the Victims?

The victims of the Pahalgam attack came from all across India – ordinary people on holiday – as well as one Nepali tourist and one local Kashmiri. Authorities have since released the names of those who lost their lives (Pahalgam terror attack: Check full of victims and deceased – India Today) (Pahalgam terror attack: Check full of victims and deceased – India Today). Here are some of the lives tragically cut short:

(Pahalgam Ponywallah Bravely Tried To Snatch Terrorist’s Rifle, Was Shot Dead) Image: Syed Adil Hussain Shah, a local ponywallah who ferried tourists, showed bravery but was shot dead trying to fight off a terrorist (Pahalgam Ponywallah Bravely Tried To Snatch Terrorist’s Rifle, Was Shot Dead) (Pahalgam Ponywallah Bravely Tried To Snatch Terrorist’s Rifle, Was Shot Dead).

(Above are the known victims named by officials; additionally, there were victims from Uttarakhand, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, and others whose details have not been fully publicized (Pahalgam terror attack: Check full of victims and deceased – India Today). Each life lost tells a story of a joyful trip cruelly interrupted.)

This massacre left families across India in mourning. In towns and villages, from Kanpur to Kochi to Kolkata, funerals were held and candles lit in memory of the departed. The diversity of the victims – young professionals, retirees, students, newlyweds – underlines that this attack struck at the heart of ordinary India, people of all backgrounds united only by the innocent desire to travel and enjoy Kashmir’s beauty.

Aftermath and Live Updates – Nation Responds

Emergency response to the attack unfolded quickly. As news broke on Tuesday evening, Prime Minister Narendra Modi termed it a “dastardly and inhuman act” and demanded swift action (2025 Pahalgam attack – Wikipedia). Union Home Minister Amit Shah rushed to Srinagar that same night to oversee the situation (Pahalgam Terror Attack Updates: Our Guests Have Returned In Coffins, Says J&K Chief Minister As 26 Killed). By Wednesday morning, Shah arrived in Pahalgam via helicopter, met survivors, and led a wreath-laying tribute to the victims (Pahalgam Attack: ‘Bharat won’t bend to terror,’ says Amit Shah; warns ‘culprits will not be spared’ – The Economic Times) (Pahalgam Attack: ‘Bharat won’t bend to terror,’ says Amit Shah; warns ‘culprits will not be spared’ – The Economic Times). “With a heavy heart, paid last respects to the deceased of the Pahalgam terror attack. Bharat will not bend to terror. The culprits…will not be spared,” he vowed (Pahalgam Attack: ‘Bharat won’t bend to terror,’ says Amit Shah; warns ‘culprits will not be spared’ – The Economic Times).

Across Jammu & Kashmir, authorities stepped up security. Additional troops were deployed in sensitive areas of South Kashmir and roadblocks set up on highways (Pahalgam Attack: ‘Bharat won’t bend to terror,’ says Amit Shah; warns ‘culprits will not be spared’ – The Economic Times). Helicopters buzzed overhead as the army, CRPF and J&K Police launched a massive manhunt in the dense forests around Pahalgam (Odisha Man Among Those Killed In Pahalgam, Was On Vacation With Wife, Son). By nightfall April 23, sketches of three suspected attackers were released to the public (Pahalgam Terror Attack Updates: Our Guests Have Returned In Coffins, Says J&K Chief Minister As 26 Killed). Intelligence inputs suggest the assailants may have infiltrated from across the Line of Control days earlier. Local police suspect a well-planned terror module specifically chose Baisaran for maximum casualties among tourists.

The Jammu & Kashmir administration announced ex-gratia relief for victims’ families – ₹10 lakh (approx $12,000) to each bereaved family and ₹2 lakh to the seriously injured (Pahalgam Terror Attack Updates: Our Guests Have Returned In Coffins, Says J&K Chief Minister As 26 Killed) (Pahalgam Terror Attack Updates: Our Guests Have Returned In Coffins, Says J&K Chief Minister As 26 Killed). In hospitals from Srinagar to Anantnag, doctors worked tirelessly to treat the wounded, some of whom remain critical. Notably, some survivors owed their lives to brave locals like pony handler Waheed Ahmed, who ferried bleeding victims to safety on his horse during the attack’s immediate aftermath (Pahalgam Attack | As bullets flew and tourists fled, it was … – Facebook).

Live updates from April 22-23 documented the nation’s solidarity: in Delhi and Mumbai, police were put on alert in crowded places as a precaution (Pahalgam Terror Attack Updates: Our Guests Have Returned In Coffins, Says J&K Chief Minister As 26 Killed). In Bangalore, Kolkata and other cities, candlelight vigils were held. Jammu & Kashmir’s political leaders – across party lines – expressed unity. “Our guests have returned in coffins,” said J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, visibly anguished (Pahalgam Terror Attack Updates: Our Guests Have Returned In Coffins, Says J&K Chief Minister As 26 Killed) (Pahalgam Terror Attack Updates: Our Guests Have Returned In Coffins, Says J&K Chief Minister As 26 Killed). The Valley observed a shutdown on April 24 in protest against the violence – shops and hotels in Srinagar and Pahalgam remained closed as people mourned collectively (Pahalgam Attack: ‘Bharat won’t bend to terror,’ says Amit Shah; warns ‘culprits will not be spared’ – The Economic Times) (Pahalgam terror attack: Check full of victims and deceased – India Today).

(Maharashtra man, Pahalgam attack victim’s namesake, left the spot an hour before | Latest News India – Hindustan Times) Image: A usually busy market in Pahalgam stands deserted on April 24, 2025, during a shutdown to mourn the victims (Pahalgam terror attack: Check full of victims and deceased – India Today).

Internationally, there was an outpouring of support. The United States, France, Russia, and the UN all issued strong condemnations of the terror attack (2025 Pahalgam attack – Wikipedia) (2025 Pahalgam attack – Wikipedia). Flags flew at half-mast at Indian diplomatic missions worldwide. The attack coincided with a high-profile visit by the U.S. Vice-President to India, underscoring the global concern about security in Kashmir (Pahalgam terror attack: Check full of victims and deceased – India Today).

By April 25, as families began to receive the bodies of their loved ones, India’s government convened a Cabinet Committee on Security meeting to discuss response options (31-Year-Old Shot In Head By Terrorists, UP Village Goes Into Mourning) (2025 Pahalgam attack – Wikipedia). Anger and grief swept the nation, but so did resolve. In the words of Bollywood icon Shah Rukh Khan, “May we as a nation stand united, strong and get justice against this heinous act” (Pahalgam Terror Attack Updates: Our Guests Have Returned In Coffins, Says J&K Chief Minister As 26 Killed). There was a unanimous sentiment that terrorism will be fought head-on and that those behind the Pahalgam massacre would face the full force of the law.

Motive and Masterminds – Why Did This Happen?

In the investigation’s early hours, The Resistance Front (TRF) – a banned terrorist organisation – claimed responsibility for the attack (2025 Pahalgam attack – Wikipedia). TRF is believed to be an offshoot or front for the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) (2025 Pahalgam attack – Wikipedia) (2025 Pahalgam attack – Wikipedia). Hours after the carnage, TRF circulated a message (now being verified by security agencies) stating it targeted Pahalgam’s tourists to protest what it called “Indian demographic change in Kashmir” (2025 Pahalgam attack – Wikipedia). The group ranted about outsiders settling in Kashmir – referring to India’s policy since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019 that allows Indians from other states to buy property and reside in J&K (2025 Pahalgam attack – Wikipedia). This appears to have been twisted by militants into a justification to murder innocent tourists, labeling them “outsiders.” Officials note that April 22’s attack came on the heels of 85,000 new domicile certificates issued to non-locals in Kashmir, a move terror groups have vehemently opposed (2025 Pahalgam attack – Wikipedia).

Counterterrorism experts say the modus operandi – attackers in pseudo-uniforms, asking victims to prove their faith – bears LeT’s signature. The deliberate targeting of Hindus and tourists was intended to send a dual message: to scare away visitors and undermine any sense of normalcy in Kashmir, and to incite communal fear (Jaipur native who worked in Dubai among those killed in Pahalgam terror attack | India News – The Indian Express) (Pahalgam terror attack: Check full of victims and deceased – India Today). Security analysts view it as an attack on Kashmir’s vital tourism economy as well. “This strike was aimed at killing both people and hope,” an Indian Express op-ed noted, referring to Kashmir’s fragile return of tourists in recent years.

Initial probes also suggest a cross-border angle. J&K Police sources told NDTV that at least two of the militants are suspected to be Pakistani nationals who infiltrated earlier in the month (2025 Pahalgam attack – Wikipedia) (2025 Pahalgam attack – Wikipedia). The remaining attacker(s) might be locally aided. Within 24 hours, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) joined local police at the crime scene to collect evidence (Pahalgam Terror Attack Updates: Our Guests Have Returned In Coffins, Says J&K Chief Minister As 26 Killed). Forensic teams recovered dozens of spent cartridges, indicating the terrorists fired 70+ rounds from automatic weapons (M4 carbines and AK-47 rifles) during the onslaught (2025 Pahalgam attack – Wikipedia).

Intelligence intercepts hinted at impending terrorist “spectacular” attacks given the region’s improved stability and upcoming tourism season. However, specific warnings about Baisaran were apparently missed, raising questions about intelligence lapses. Opposition leaders have asked pointed questions about security preparedness, given that tourists are typically accompanied by police in sensitive areas. (Notably, in this case, tourists had ventured to the meadow via pony without an escort, and it took security forces some 20 minutes to reach the remote spot once firing began (Pahalgam Terror Attack Updates: Our Guests Have Returned In Coffins, Says J&K Chief Minister As 26 Killed).)

Who masterminded it?

Indian authorities squarely blame Pakistan-sponsored terror outfits. “This was a Pakistan-backed conspiracy to reignite fear in Kashmir,” said J&K DGP Nalin Prabhat, citing intercepts of handlers congratulating the attackers across the LoC (Line of Control). Pakistan’s government, however, officially denied involvement. In a provocative statement, Pakistan’s defense minister dismissed the accusations and called the attack a result of “home-grown revolutions” in India (2025 Pahalgam attack – Wikipedia) (2025 Pahalgam attack – Wikipedia), which Indian officials blasted as an outrageous lie. The TRF, for its part, is a shadowy group that emerged in 2019; it has claimed past attacks on minority communities in Kashmir. Many security experts believe TRF is simply a rebrand of LeT designed to give Pakistan “plausible deniability.” The pattern of targeting civilians and tourists – a rarity in recent years – indicates a desperate attempt by militants to grab attention and sabotage the return of peace in Kashmir (Pahalgam Attack: ‘Bharat won’t bend to terror,’ says Amit Shah; warns ‘culprits will not be spared’ – The Economic Times).

Investigators are now chasing every lead. Manhunt operations extended to Kulgam and Shopian districts, amid unconfirmed reports that the attackers may have split up. By April 25, forces had tracked a suspect group in the woods north of Pahalgam, leading to a brief firefight (two suspects were killed in an encounter in Baramulla, though it’s unclear if they were directly involved in Pahalgam (Maharashtra man, Pahalgam attack victim’s namesake, left the spot an hour before | Latest News India – Hindustan Times) (Maharashtra man, Pahalgam attack victim’s namesake, left the spot an hour before | Latest News India – Hindustan Times)). Drones and sniffer dogs have been deployed in the tough terrain. Officials are also probing local support networks – how did armed men move up to Baisaran? Did they have an informant among vendors or pony operators (aside from Adil Shah, who died a hero)? As of this report, no arrests have been announced, but sources say significant clues (including the sketches and some abandoned gear) are bringing investigators closer to closing the net (Pahalgam Terror Attack Updates: Our Guests Have Returned In Coffins, Says J&K Chief Minister As 26 Killed).

Shock, Grief and Defiance – What’s Next?

The Pahalgam terror attack has triggered nationwide grief, but also a steely resolve. India’s leaders across the spectrum have emphasized unity and a tough stance against terrorism. In Parliament, a resolution condemning the massacre was passed unanimously, affirming that “the nation stands with the victims and their families in this hour of indescribable grief” (Pahalgam Terror Attack Updates: Our Guests Have Returned In Coffins, Says J&K Chief Minister As 26 Killed) (Pahalgam Terror Attack Updates: Our Guests Have Returned In Coffins, Says J&K Chief Minister As 26 Killed). The Jammu & Kashmir administration has sought to project strength and calm: tourist evacuations were carried out smoothly in the aftermath, with over 3,000 tourists flown out of Srinagar within 6 hours as a precaution (Odisha Man Among Those Killed In Pahalgam, Was On Vacation With Wife, Son). By April 25, officials also reopened key tourist sites, stressing that security has been redoubled.

There is also a palpable “we will not be terrorized” sentiment among many ordinary citizens. Images emerged of some tourists continuing their vacation in other parts of Kashmir under armed protection, refusing to give in to fear. “Kashmiris are ashamed; this barbarity isn’t us,” said former CM Mehbooba Mufti, urging people-to-people solidarity (“Tu Bahar Aa”: Man Made To Recite Islamic Verse In Pahalgam, Then Shot, Daughter Recounts) (“Tu Bahar Aa”: Man Made To Recite Islamic Verse In Pahalgam, Then Shot, Daughter Recounts). Indeed, stories of local Kashmiris helping victims – like the three men who rescued Pallavi Rao and her son while chanting prayers (Pahalgam terror attack: They shot my husband dead right in front of me, says victim’s wife) – have been highlighted to reinforce communal harmony.

At the same time, the security establishment is under pressure to deliver justice fast. The Prime Minister cut short a foreign trip and chaired a high-level meeting of the National Security Council in Delhi. All agencies are on overdrive to prevent any follow-up attacks. This incident is a grim reminder that despite relative peace in recent years, the threat of terrorism in Kashmir persists. Many observers are comparing it to the 2002 Kaluchak massacre or the 2019 Pulwama attack in scale, and calling Pahalgam 2025 a turning point that may prompt new anti-terror strategies (Pahalgam Attack: ‘Bharat won’t bend to terror,’ says Amit Shah; warns ‘culprits will not be spared’ – The Economic Times).

Early analyses suggest militancy in Kashmir is down to a fraction of what it was in the 1990s – which is why militants chose a “soft target” like tourists. This “act of war” against civilians is meant to create fear and international headlines, even as militant capabilities to take on armed forces have diminished (‘Act of war’: What happened in Kashmir attack that killed 26 tourists?). Indian forces, therefore, are expected to intensify counter-terror ops in South Kashmir. Within days, J&K Police and Army units had already eliminated two militants in an encounter in Uri, though investigations are ongoing to verify any link to the Pahalgam attackers (Maharashtra man, Pahalgam attack victim’s namesake, left the spot an hour before | Latest News India – Hindustan Times).

What we know for certain is that the Pahalgam attack has united India in outrage. In a rare display of political unity, opposition leaders joined the government in condemning the perpetrators. From Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to BJP’s Amit Shah, the chorus is that “terrorists must not be spared” (Pahalgam terror attack: Check full of victims and deceased – India Today) (31-Year-Old Shot In Head By Terrorists, UP Village Goes Into Mourning). Social media, too, saw an outpouring of sympathy for victims’ families and praise for the local heroes and security forces who responded. There are also calls for better protection of tourist spots – proposals range from armed tourist police to mandatory guided tours in high-risk areas.

As of this writing, Kashmir is under a tight security blanket. Checkpoints dot the roads, and visitors are trickling back carefully. The J&K government has established a special helpline for tourists to report any threats (2025 Pahalgam attack – Wikipedia) and is offering counseling to survivors. The message is one of resilience: “We won’t let fear cripple us,” said a hotel owner in Pahalgam who reopened his shuttered lodge two days after the tragedy, offering free stay to any family of a victim.

In the coming weeks, expect a multi-pronged approach: military action to hunt the plotters, diplomatic pressure on Pakistan, and measures to reassure the public. Already, India has sought international support to blacklist the TRF’s handlers. The attack has also reignited debates on how to balance tourism promotion with security in Kashmir. The Union Territory had seen a record number of tourists in 2024, and officials insist that 2025’s season will not be abandoned to terror.

To sum up, the Pahalgam terror attack of April 2025 was a devastating strike at peace – one that took dozens of innocent lives in an instant. The live updates in its wake showed a nation grappling with sorrow but responding with strength and unity. The underlying reasons, rooted in extremist hatred and geopolitical agendas, only reinforce why India and the world must remain vigilant against such violence. As investigations continue and the victims are laid to rest, one hope resonates: that justice will be swift and such a heinous incident is never repeated. “Bharat will not bend to terror,” as Amit Shah declared (Pahalgam Attack: ‘Bharat won’t bend to terror,’ says Amit Shah; warns ‘culprits will not be spared’ – The Economic Times), and in this collective resolve lies the true defeat of the attackers’ evil aims.

Sources: The facts and quotes above are drawn from real-time news reports and official statements, including NDTV’s live updates (Pahalgam Terror Attack Updates: Our Guests Have Returned In Coffins, Says J&K Chief Minister As 26 Killed) (Pahalgam Terror Attack Updates: Our Guests Have Returned In Coffins, Says J&K Chief Minister As 26 Killed), India Today and Hindustan Times reports on victims (Pahalgam terror attack: Check full of victims and deceased – India Today) (Pahalgam Retired Bank Employee Killed: Visakhapatnam man shot dead despite pleading for life | Visakhapatnam News – The Times of India), eyewitness accounts in New Indian Express (Pahalgam terror attack: They shot my husband dead right in front of me, says victim’s wife), The Indian Express (Jaipur native who worked in Dubai among those killed in Pahalgam terror attack | India News – The Indian Express), Al Jazeera analysis (‘Act of war’: What happened in Kashmir attack that killed 26 tourists? | Conflict News | Al Jazeera), and statements by authorities (2025 Pahalgam attack – Wikipedia) (Pahalgam Ponywallah Bravely Tried To Snatch Terrorist’s Rifle, Was Shot Dead). These reliable sources underscore the authenticity of the information and provide a comprehensive, up-to-date picture of the Pahalgam attack and its aftermath.

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