In one of the deadliest terror attacks to strike Indian-administered Kashmir in recent years, 26 people — most of them tourists — were gunned down in a brutal assault at the scenic hill town of Pahalgam on Tuesday. The attack, which took place in broad daylight, has sparked nationwide outrage, immense grief, and renewed fears about the region’s security.
A Honeymoon Turned Tragic
Among the victims was Lieutenant Vinay Narwal, an Indian naval officer who had traveled to Kashmir with his wife Himanshi for their honeymoon. Married just a week ago, the couple had planned to visit Switzerland but changed their destination due to visa delays.
In a harrowing video circulating online, Himanshi recounted the moment the attackers asked her husband if he was Muslim. When he said no, he was shot at close range. Draped in the Indian flag, Vinay was laid to rest on Wednesday as his grieving wife whispered a final goodbye: “He was the best man. I pray his soul rests in peace.”
Chaos at a Tourist Paradise
Eyewitnesses described the terrifying moments when gunmen opened fire at Baisaran, a picturesque meadow 5 kilometers from the main town. “We heard gunshots and started running,” said Veenu Bhai, a survivor who fractured his arm during the escape. “Children were crying, people were screaming — no one knew what was happening.”
Initial reports suggest the gunmen may have been targeting non-Muslim tourists, although the attack also claimed the life of a local Muslim guide, Syed Hussain Shah, who was said to be helping tourists flee. Shah’s funeral, attended by hundreds including Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, was marked by grief and anger. His mother, inconsolable, described her son as the family’s only breadwinner.
Multiple Families Shattered
Several families are now grappling with the loss of loved ones. In Maharashtra, the Jagdale family lost two members — businessman Santosh Jagdale and his brother-in-law — after being reportedly asked to recite Islamic verses and failing to do so.
Another family, the Mones from Pune, lost three cousins — Atul Mone, Sanjay Lele, and Hemant Joshi — who had been vacationing with relatives. “The family is in shock,” a relative told BBC Marathi. “This was supposed to be a happy trip.”
JS Chandramouli, a retired banker traveling with his wife and friends, was separated during the chaos. His body, riddled with bullets, was found hours later.
Protests, Mourning, and Political Reaction
The incident has triggered widespread protests across India. In Kashmir, locals shut down businesses and schools in a symbolic gesture of mourning — and fear. Many worry the violence will drive away tourists, dealing a severe blow to the already fragile economy.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi cut short a foreign visit to return to New Delhi and convene emergency security meetings. “We are united in grief and resolve,” he said in a statement. “India will respond decisively.”
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh issued a stern warning: “Those responsible — and those who supported or sheltered them — will very soon hear our response, loud and clear.”
No Claim of Responsibility Yet
While no group has claimed responsibility, Indian officials have hinted at possible involvement of Pakistan-based militant networks. India has accused such groups of orchestrating attacks in the past, including the 2019 Pulwama bombing. Pakistan has repeatedly denied involvement.
A large-scale manhunt is currently underway, with the Indian Army and security agencies combing forests and border areas near Anantnag district, where Pahalgam is located.
A Nation in Mourning
As India mourns the 26 lives lost in what should have been a time of peace and beauty, calls are growing for a reassessment of tourist safety in conflict-prone zones. For now, a pall of grief hangs over the Kashmir Valley, once known for its serenity, now scarred by senseless violence.
The bullet-ridden meadows of Baisaran may one day return to calm, but for the families left behind, the trauma of April 23, 2025, will remain etched forever.
