Pahalgam Terror Attack (2025)

The Pahalgam Terror Attack refers to an armed assault that took place on April 22, 2025, in the Baisaran meadow of Pahalgam town, located in the Anantnag district of Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir.

A view from the site of the attack, April 22, 2025 (NDTV)

Location, Date, and Course of the Incident

The attack occurred on April 22, 2025, in the Baisaran meadow, situated in the upper areas of Pahalgam town in the Anantnag district of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, located in northern India. The site of the incident is a mountainous, vehicle-inaccessible area that can only be reached on foot or horseback. According to security sources, armed individuals opened fire at close range on a group of tourists gathered in the meadow. Following the attack, military, police, and medical teams were dispatched to the area.

Casualties and the Injured

Authorities have reported that 26 people were killed and more than a dozen others were injured in the attack. Among the deceased were Indian nationals as well as a Nepali citizen. The injured were transferred to hospitals in Anantnag and Srinagar. Horses and stretchers were used to transport the wounded out of the valley.

Eyewitness Accounts and the Moment of the Attack

According to eyewitnesses, the assailants entered tents and opened fire, specifically targeting certain individuals. A member of a family from the city of Pune stated that while they were hiding inside a tent, the attackers interrogated them and then shot some of their relatives.

Claim of Responsibility and Security Operations

A group calling itself “The Resistance Front” claimed responsibility for the attack via social media. In its statement, the group referenced the demographic structure of the region. The authenticity of this claim has not been independently verified. Following the incident, Indian security forces launched operations in the area. Units of the Indian Army conducted search-and-sweep operations.

Official Statements and Reactions

Prime Minister Narendra Modi issued a statement on social media following the attack and convened a security meeting with Home Minister Amit Shah. The Home Minister met with senior security officials at the scene. During his visit to India, U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance shared a message of condolence. U.S. President Donald Trump held a phone call with the Indian Prime Minister after the attack. Officials from Russia, Ukraine, Iran, Israel, Italy, France, and the United Arab Emirates also issued statements regarding the incident.

Protests were held in Srinagar following the attack. Demonstrators carried candles, banners, and chanted slogans. Airlines organized additional flights to facilitate the evacuation of tourists from the region.

Initial Diplomatic Statements Following the Attack

Following the armed assault on 22 April 2025 in the town of Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir, which resulted in the deaths of 26 individuals, the Government of India declared that the attack had “cross-border links.” The Ministry of External Affairs stated that assessments were being conducted within the national security cabinet regarding evidence suggesting the perpetrators had received support from Pakistan.

The attack was claimed by a previously unknown group referred to as “Kashmir Resistance” or “The Resistance Front (TRF).” In a statement released via social media, the group cited the region’s settlement policies, which they claimed were altering the area's demographic composition. The statement specifically referred to the resettlement of over 85,000 individuals as a motive behind the attack.

In a written statement issued shortly after the incident, Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed “sorrow” over the deaths of tourists in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir and extended condolences to the families of the victims. The statement firmly denied any involvement in the attack. Senior Pakistani officials rejected the accusations put forth by India.

On 23 April 2025, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi cut short his visit to Saudi Arabia and returned to New Delhi, where he pledged that those responsible would be brought to justice. That same day, Home Minister Amit Shah travelled to Srinagar to meet with security officials for an assessment of the situation. In response, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif convened the National Security Committee on 24 April 2025. A subsequent official statement rejected India’s allegations and emphasized that all necessary measures would be taken to safeguard Pakistan’s sovereignty.

Measures Taken by India and Withdrawal from the Indus Waters Treaty

In response to the attack that claimed 26 lives, India announced a series of diplomatic and administrative actions against Pakistan. On 23 April 2025, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri declared that India was officially downgrading its diplomatic relations with Pakistan and suspending several bilateral agreements.

One of the first steps taken was to declare Pakistani defense attachés stationed in India as “persona non grata” and expel them from the country. The same announcement included a reduction in staff at the Indian embassy in Islamabad from 55 to 30 personnel, alongside a reciprocal downgrading of diplomatic representation. In addition, India’s national security cabinet ordered the indefinite closure of the main land border crossing with Pakistan.

On the same day, India also revoked visa exemptions granted to Pakistani citizens under the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) framework. All individuals in India on SAARC visas were instructed to leave the country within 48 hours.The Indian government further announced the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, a 1960 agreement brokered by the World Bank that governs the distribution of water resources from the Indus River system.

Pakistan’s Response and Retaliatory Measures

In response to India’s post-attack measures, the Government of Pakistan announced a set of counter-sanctions on 24 April 2025. These measures were enacted following a meeting of the National Security Committee chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. As per the decisions taken, all visas issued to Indian citizens were cancelled, and all special travel documents under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme were suspended.

The Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority issued a statement prohibiting all aircraft originating from or operated by India from using Pakistani airspace. This ban applies not only to direct flights but also to transit flights routed through third countries.

Additionally, the Pakistani Ministry of Commerce announced the suspension of all bilateral trade activities with India and declared that any third-country trade routes involving India—whether inbound or outbound—would be terminated. These measures have been enforced across Pakistan’s sea, land, and air borders.

Pakistan also criticized India’s unilateral suspension of its obligations under the Indus Waters Treaty, labeling it a violation of international agreements. A statement from the Prime Minister’s Office warned that any attempt by India to divert or halt water flow would be considered an “act of war.” In a related comment, Minister of Energy Awais Leghari asserted that Pakistan’s rights to the waters of the Indus River are non-negotiable and would be defended by all necessary means.

Border Engagements and Field Operations

On the night of April 24, 2025, a brief exchange of gunfire occurred between Indian and Pakistani military forces along the Line of Control (LoC) in the disputed Jammu and Kashmir region. According to three Indian military officials, Pakistani troops initiated fire on an Indian military post, to which Indian forces responded. Both parties reported no casualties resulting from the incident. The Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs has refrained from issuing a comment regarding the event.

A protest demonstration was held in front of the Indian Embassy in Islamabad on April 24, 2025. — Anadolu Agency

Concurrently, Indian security forces launched targeted operations against individuals alleged to be connected to the recent attack. Investigations are reportedly focusing on two local residents and two Pakistani nationals. During the course of these operations, explosives were deployed in certain residential properties linked to the suspects, causing structural damage. Security authorities have confirmed that these operations are ongoing within the framework of a broader investigative process.

On the same date, protest demonstrations were held in Muzaffarabad and various other settlements within Pakistan-administered Kashmir. Demonstrators denounced recent measures taken by the Indian government, employing slogans critical of New Delhi’s actions. In parallel, the Senate of Pakistan adopted a resolution condemning India's suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, characterizing the move as a violation of international law and warning that it could be construed as an act of war.

On the same day, various protest actions were also held in New Delhi, the capital of India. In response to the attack, some shopkeepers closed their businesses in protest, while demonstrators marched carrying placards. United Nations Secretary-General Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric, during the daily press briefing, emphasized that both sides had been urged to exercise maximum restraint and stressed the importance of preventing any further escalation of tensions.

Developments and Regional Repercussions on April 25–26

Military Developments

On April 25, 2025, a second brief exchange of gunfire occurred between Indian and Pakistani armed forces along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir. According to a statement by the Indian Army, Pakistani troops opened fire with small arms from multiple positions after midnight, and Indian forces returned fire. No casualties were reported by the Indian side. The Pakistani military has not issued any comment regarding the incident.

By the morning of April 26, 2025, the Indian Army reported that sporadic small-arms fire from the Pakistani side had continued into the second consecutive night, with a noted increase in intensity after midnight.

Security Operations and Investigations

On April 25, 2025, Indian security forces demolished the house of Ahsan ul Haq Sheikh, who was allegedly linked to the attack, using explosives in the Pulwama district of South Kashmir. On April 26, 2025, a similar operation was conducted in Thokerpora village in the Kulgam district, where the house of Zakir Ahmad Ganie was destroyed.

During the same period, authorities identified two local residents and two Pakistani nationals as suspects connected to the attack, and they were incorporated into the ongoing investigation.

On April 26, 2025, the Jammu and Kashmir Police announced that they had identified three suspects associated with the Pahalgam attack, confirming that two of the individuals were Pakistani nationals and one was a local resident of Kashmir.

Diplomatic and Political Developments

On April 26, 2025, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called for an impartial international investigation into the Pahalgam attack. Sharif stated that Pakistan was open to any neutral and credible inquiry. Similarly, Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif emphasized that the incident should be investigated by an independent international commission.

Water Treaty Crisis and Water Security

On April 26, 2025, former Pakistani Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari criticized India’s decision to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty. In his remarks, he stated, "Either the Indus will flow with water, or it will flow with blood." Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also declared that any interference with Pakistan’s water resources would be met with a resolute response.

International and Regional Reactions

On April 26, 2025, protest demonstrations were organized outside the Pakistan High Commission in London. These protests, led by groups within the Indian diaspora, condemned the Pahalgam attack and featured the chanting of various slogans.

U.S. President Donald Trump commented on the rising tensions between India and Pakistan, expressing hope that both nations would resolve their differences through direct negotiations.

The United Nations Security Council issued a statement strongly condemning the Pahalgam attack, asserting that the perpetrators, planners, and financiers must be brought to justice. The Council further called on all states to cooperate fully in accordance with international law and relevant Security Council resolutions.

Ongoing Clashes along the Line of Control

On April 27 and 28, 2025, Indian and Pakistani forces continued to exchange small-arms fire along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir. According to the Indian Army, Pakistani troops initiated "unprovoked" fire from multiple posts after midnight, to which Indian forces responded appropriately. Reports indicated that exchanges of fire had persisted for four consecutive days. Local authorities described the incidents as "routine post-to-post firing," emphasizing that they had not escalated into a broader military confrontation.

It was confirmed that the ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan, established in 2021, remains formally in effect. The exchanges of fire were not officially categorized as violations of the ceasefire.

Search and Detention Operations across Kashmir

Between April 27 and 28, 2025, Indian security forces launched extensive search operations across the Kashmir region. It was reported that approximately 500 individuals were detained for questioning. Around 1,000 houses and forested areas were searched, and at least nine houses were demolished using explosives during the operations.

Authorities stated that the demolitions targeted properties belonging to individuals accused of aiding and abetting the perpetrators of the attack. Some political leaders in Jammu and Kashmir called for heightened caution during operations to ensure that innocent civilians were not harmed.

Statement from the Kashmir Resistance Group

The group known as Kashmir Resistance (The Resistance Front) issued a statement via the social media platform X, claiming that the previously published responsibility claim regarding the Pahalgam attack had been the result of a "cyberattack." The group asserted that it had no direct involvement in the incident.

Water Discharge and Flooding on the Jhelum River

On April 26, 2025, an unusual release of excess water by India into the Jhelum River caused a sudden rise in water levels in Pakistan-administered Azad Kashmir. Local authorities in the Muzaffarabad region warned residents living near the riverbanks to evacuate to safer areas.

The city of Chakothi, located in Pakistan-administered Azad Kashmir, April 28, 2025. — Anadolu Agency

Officials reported a "moderate level" flood resulting from the increased discharge, although no major material damages were recorded. The Jhelum River originates in Indian-administered Kashmir and flows into Pakistan’s Azad Kashmir and Punjab regions. The incident occurred amid renewed tensions between India and Pakistan over water-sharing issues under the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty.

India’s Missile Tests

On April 27, 2025, the Indian Navy conducted test launches of long-range precision strike missiles in open waters. The Indian Navy stated that the tests were intended to validate the long-range precision strike capabilities of its platforms, systems, and personnel.

Although the exact types of missiles tested were not disclosed, it was emphasized that the drills underscored India's operational readiness. Prime Minister Narendra Modi framed these tests as part of India’s broader response to the Pahalgam attack. Meanwhile, Pakistani authorities stated that their nuclear arsenal remains operationally deployed exclusively against India.

Calls for Restraint from China and the United States

On April 28, 2025, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China called on both India and Pakistan to exercise maximum restraint and to undertake measures to de-escalate tensions in the region.

Similarly, the United States Department of State announced that it had engaged with both governments, encouraging them to work toward a "responsible resolution" of the crisis. The United States expressed its support for India following the Pahalgam attack but refrained from directly criticizing Pakistan.