At least 26 civilians, of whom the majority were tourists, were murdered in a gruesome terror strike in Pahalgam, the Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir, on Tuesday. The attack, which occurred at the isolated Baisaran meadow, is the worst in the Valley since the Pulwama bombing in 2019.

Sources indicated that the terrorists fired at a group of tourists who were on a visit to Baisaran, a picturesque spot which can be accessed only on foot or by pony. The Resistance Front, a front organization of the outlawed Pakistan-based terror outfit LeT, took responsibility for the attack, though the government has not issued an official statement yet.

Amit Shah Offers Floral Tributes

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, on his Srinagar visit, was filled with deep regret at the deaths of innocent people in the Pahalgam terror attack. He offered floral tributes to the victims at the Police Control Room (PCR) in the presence of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. Shah reiterated the government’s resolve to ensure that those guilty of the ghastly act are brought to justice and ensured that such acts of terrorism would be confronted with a firm and decisive action.

#WATCH | Union Home Minister Amit Shah pays tributes to the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack, in Srinagar, J&K pic.twitter.com/tPRSj4ewUg

— ANI (@ANI) April 23, 2025

Reports state that the mortal remains of the tourists who were killed in the attack were taken to the PCR in Srinagar earlier this morning. Amit Shah, accompanied by the LG and CM, soon afterwards paid his respects to the victims. Shah left for GMC Anantnag after the tribute ceremony, where he will meet and interact with the injured in the attack.

PM Modi Shortens Saudi Visit, Promises Revenge for Pahalgam Attack

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who returned to India from Saudi Arabia immediately after hearing the news, denounced the attack in strong words. “Those responsible for this cowardly act will be punished and will not be spared,” PM Modi stated. Shortly after his return, he held an emergency meeting with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar at the Delhi airport.

The global community responded quickly. In particular, US President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni strongly condemned the attack. Moreover, all three leaders expressed their support and solidarity with India at this critical juncture.

US-Based Techie Among the Victims

Among the victims was 40-year-old Bitan Adhikary, a TCS techie from Florida. Bitan, who had come to India on April 8 with his wife Sohini and three-year-old son, had intended to return to the US this Thursday. However, he was one of the victims gunned down in the Pahalgam attack. Thankfully, his wife and son were safe, and currently, efforts are on to bring them back home unharmed.

Security Forces Repel Infiltration Attempt Post-Incident at Pahalgam

Days after the Pahalgam attack, Indian security forces thwarted a bid by terrorists to infiltrate in Baramulla district. Two to three terrorists attempted to cross over via the Uri Nala sector, the Army’s Chinar Corps said. “Alert troops challenged and intercepted the infiltrators,” added the Corps, stating that a gun battle broke out, leading to the neutralization of two terrorists.

A huge amount of weapons, ammunition, and other war-like stores have been recovered from the terrorists,” it further added. The operation is still in progress.