In one of the most brutal terrorist strikes in Jammu and Kashmir in recent memory, heavily armed militants killed at least 26 people—mostly Hindu tourists—at Pahalgam’s scenic Baisaran Valley on April 22. Survivor accounts say the attackers emerged from nearby forests, opened fire indiscriminately, and asked victims about their religious identity before pulling the trigger. One Muslim local also died in the assault.
The Resistance Force (TRF), believed to be a Lashkar-e-Taiba offshoot backed by Pakistan, claimed responsibility. The attack is being described as the worst civilian massacre in the region in over two decades.
A Chilling Echo of Past Attacks
This attack draws stark parallels with previous terror incidents in Uri (2016) and Pulwama (2019), where India’s military responded swiftly. Back then, Indian forces carried out surgical strikes and air raids across the LoC, signaling a shift in India’s counter-terror doctrine.
Lt Gen DS Hooda, who led the 2016 surgical strikes, had two months remaining in his tenure—time he used to assess, plan, and execute retaliation. In contrast, Lt Gen MV Suchindra Kumar, current Northern Command chief, retires on April 30, just a week after the Pahalgam tragedy. The question now is whether a counterstrike can be launched under his command or left to his successor, Lt Gen Pratik Sharma.
Why Pahalgam Was Targeted
Pahalgam isn’t just a tourist destination—it is the base for the Amarnath Yatra, one of Hinduism’s holiest pilgrimages. Attacking this region carries symbolic, religious, and economic significance. Targeting pilgrims aims to fuel communal tensions and disrupt Kashmir’s fragile tourism economy.
Security experts say the area’s forested terrain and proximity to the LoC make it ideal for terrorist infiltration. Several unmonitored passes in the Pir Panjal range allow militants to cross over easily. Despite advanced surveillance, geography continues to be a key vulnerability.
Sectarian Undercurrents and Pakistan’s Narrative
What makes this attack more disturbing is its sectarian dimension. Eyewitnesses say gunmen asked male victims about their faith before shooting. The massacre occurred just six days after Pakistan Army Chief Gen Asim Munir made a provocative speech, reinforcing the divisive two-nation theory.
“Our forefathers thought we were different from Hindus in every possible aspect of life… We are two nations, we are not one nation,” Munir had said. These remarks are more than rhetoric—they validate the ideological motivations of terror groups like TRF.
Lt Gen Pratik Sharma: Inheriting a Crisis
Lt Gen Sharma, slated to take charge on April 30, may find himself responding to India’s latest national security crisis. He previously commanded the 80 Infantry Brigade and 25 Infantry Division in J&K and served as DG Military Operations. His experience positions him well for a swift and strategic retaliation, if planned post-transition.
However, this doesn’t diminish the role of Lt Gen Kumar, a decorated officer and former Vice Chief of Army Staff. But the timing of the transition raises concerns about operational continuity.
An Attack on the Idea of India
The Pahalgam attack wasn’t just a terror incident—it was an ideological strike. By selectively killing based on religion, the terrorists challenged India’s foundational values of secularism and peaceful coexistence.
As the country mourns, the Modi government is expected to announce its course of action. Whether that involves military strikes or diplomatic escalation, one thing is clear: India’s response must match the gravity of this outrage.
