In a shocking and tragic incident on April 22, 2025, a brutal terrorist attack at the scenic Baisaran meadow near Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir left 28 people dead, including a brave Navy officer, shaking the nation to its core. The attack, carried out by four militants from the Pakistan-based terror group The Resistance Front (TRF), targeted innocent tourists visiting the picturesque valley, turning a peaceful outing into a scene of horror and chaos.
Among the 26 Indian civilians killed was a Navy officer whose identity has been confirmed by officials. His sacrifice alongside other victims underscores the indiscriminate nature of terrorism that spares no one, including those who serve the nation. The deceased also include two foreign nationals from the UAE and Nepal, highlighting the global impact of the attack.
The militants descended from the surrounding forests and opened indiscriminate fire on tourists at the Baisaran meadow, a popular tourist and pilgrimage spot known as “mini Switzerland.” Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as visitors scrambled for safety amid relentless gunfire. Local residents and security forces rushed to evacuate the injured to nearby hospitals, but the attack remains one of the deadliest civilian massacres in Kashmir since the revocation of the region’s special status.
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also condemned the attack, with Abdullah calling it “one of the deadliest assaults on civilians in recent years.” Security forces launched extensive operations to track down and neutralize the militants responsible.
The Resistance Front claimed responsibility for the attack, citing opposition to Indian administration in Jammu and Kashmir. The incident has intensified political tensions and renewed calls for stronger counter-terrorism measures.
Internationally, the attack drew condemnation from countries including the UAE, Israel, Russia, and the United States, all expressing solidarity with India and condemning terrorism in all forms. This tragic event has cast a dark shadow over Jammu and Kashmir’s fragile peace and its efforts to revive tourism. With the Amarnath Yatra pilgrimage season approaching, security concerns have heightened significantly.
As investigations continue and security forces intensify their search for the remaining militants, the nation mourns the loss of innocent lives, including the Navy officer who paid the ultimate price. The Pahalgam terror attack is a grim reminder of the persistent threat of terrorism and the sacrifices made by those who protect and serve the country.