Deadly Terrorist Attack in Pahalgam Shocks India and Draws Global Condemnation

SRINAGAR, India — The serene meadows of Baisaran in Pahalgam, a picturesque tourist destination in Jammu and Kashmir, On Tuesday, turned into a scene of horror when terrorists opened fire on a group of unsuspecting tourists. The attack, which killed at least 26 people, including 25 Indian tourists and one Nepali national, has been described as one of the deadliest in the region since the 2019 Pulwama strike. It has sparked widespread outrage, prompted international condemnation, and dominated global media coverage, reigniting debates over security and cross-border tensions in South Asia.

The assault, claimed by The Resistance Front (TRF), a shadow group linked to the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), targeted civilians in a calculated act that Indian officials say was designed to disrupt the region’s fragile peace and burgeoning tourism industry. Among the victims was Lieutenant Vinay Narwal, a 26-year-old Indian Navy officer on his honeymoon, and N. Ramachandran, a 65-year-old from Kerala. The brutality of the attack, which left several others injured, has shaken India and reverberated across the world.

The international response was immediate and unequivocal. Leaders from major powers and neighboring countries alike condemned the attack, expressing solidarity with India and calling for justice. Maldives President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu expressed deep sadness and shock at the horrific Pahalgam terror attack, affirming his government’s commitment to combating terrorism in all its forms. U.S. President Donald Trump described the incident as “deeply disturbing,” pledging full support to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and affirming that “the United States stands strong with India against terrorism.” Russian President Vladimir Putin labeled it a “brutal crime” with “no justification whatsoever,” while Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed sorrow and extended condolences to the victims’ families.

Regional powers also weighed in. Sri Lanka’s Foreign Ministry called the attack “heinous” and reiterated its commitment to regional peace. Nepal’s Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli, noting the death of a Nepali citizen, condemned the “barbaric terrorist act” and assured coordination with Indian authorities. Iran labeled the attack a “heinous terrorist crime” that “contradicts all human rights norms.”

Within India, the condemnation crossed political and social lines. Prime Minister Modi, cutting short a visit to Saudi Arabia, vowed that “those behind this heinous act will not be spared.” President Droupadi Murmu called it a “dastardly and inhuman act,” while Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah described the attackers as “animals, inhuman & worthy of contempt.” The All India Muslim Personal Law Board paused its protests against a new Waqf law for three days in solidarity with the victims, a rare gesture of unity.

The attack has dominated headlines, with media outlets worldwide grappling with its implications. Indian networks like NDTV, India Today, and The Hindu provided minute-by-minute updates, focusing on the human toll and the government’s response. Stories of survivors, like an Assam University professor who escaped by reciting Islamic prayers, and Himanshi Narwal, the widow of Lieutenant Vinay Narwal, who bid a tearful farewell to her husband’s coffin, have gripped the nation.

International coverage varied in tone and focus. Al Jazeera, The BBC, CNN, and faced criticism on Indian social media for initially describing the attackers as “gunmen,” a term many felt downplayed the terrorist nature of the assault.

In contrast, The New York Times and The Guardian emphasized the attack’s geopolitical ramifications, noting India’s accusations of Pakistani involvement and the subsequent diplomatic fallout.

Indian media also highlighted the attack’s impact on Kashmir’s tourism-driven economy. Reports noted a 63 percent plunge in flight bookings to Srinagar, with airlines operating additional flights to evacuate tourists. The Times of India ran a poignant piece titled “‘My husband was shot in head’: Pahalgam sees panic and chaos,” capturing the trauma of survivors like a Karnataka businessman’s wife, who claimed the attackers targeted Hindus and told her to “go tell this to Modi.”

The Indian government moved swiftly, signaling a hardline stance. On Wednesday, the Cabinet Committee on Security, chaired by Mr. Modi, announced a series of retaliatory measures against Pakistan, which India holds accountable for sponsoring the attack. These included suspending the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, closing the Attari-Wagah border, expelling Pakistani military diplomats, and reducing diplomatic staff in both countries’ high commissions. The Ministry of External Affairs, in a press briefing, underscored the attack’s “cross-border linkages” and its timing, coming after successful elections in Jammu and Kashmir.

Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif denied involvement, dismissing India’s allegations as “home-grown” issues tied to regional unrest. This response, coupled with the TRF’s claim of responsibility, has fueled calls within India for stronger action. Former cricketer Gautam Gambhir, now a BJP MP, wrote on X, “Those responsible for this will pay. India will strike.” Protests erupted across India, with Indian Youth Congress workers burning Pakistani flags and Kashmiri traders holding candlelight vigils.

The attack has cast a shadow over Jammu and Kashmir, a region that has seen relative calm in recent years. Chief Minister Abdullah called the exodus of tourists “heartbreaking,” emphasizing Kashmir’s historical hospitality. The Jammu and Kashmir government announced 10 lakh rupees (about $12,000) in compensation for the families of the deceased, while states like Gujarat and Karnataka offered additional aid to their residents.

For the international community, the attack underscores the persistent challenge of terrorism in South Asia. The U.S. reiterated its “Do Not Travel” advisory for Jammu and Kashmir, citing risks along the India-Pakistan Line of Control. Analysts warn that the incident could escalate tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbors, especially as India presses for global sanctions against Pakistan-based terror groups.

As Pahalgam mourns, candlelight vigils in Odisha, protests in Jammu, and a two-minute silence observed by the Supreme Court reflect a nation united in grief and resolve.