the serene Baisaran Valley near Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, became the site of a horrific terror attack. Gunmen, disguised in Indian Army uniforms, opened fire on unsuspecting tourists, resulting in the deaths of 28 individuals and injuries to over a dozen others. This incident marks the deadliest civilian attack in the region since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019 .
The Attack and Its Aftermath
The assailants, believed to be six foreign operatives affiliated with the Pakistan-backed group “The Resistance Front,” targeted tourists based on their faith. Survivors recounted that the gunmen demanded victims recite Islamic verses, shooting those who failed to comply . The attack coincided with high-profile diplomatic visits, including U.S. Vice President JD Vance’s arrival in India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s trip to Saudi Arabia.
A Nation in Mourning
The victims hailed from various parts of India, reflecting the country’s diverse fabric. Among the deceased were:
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Lt. Vinay Narwal, a 26-year-old Indian Navy officer from Haryana, on his honeymoon.
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Shailesh Himmatbhai Kalthia, an SBI officer from Surat, Gujarat.
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Yatish Parmar and his 17-year-old son Smit, a father-son duo from Bhavnagar, Gujarat.
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N. Ramachandran, a 65-year-old tourist from Kerala.
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Manjunath, a real-estate businessman from Shivamogga, Karnataka, celebrating his son’s academic success.
The full list of victims includes individuals from Maharashtra, Odisha, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, and even a tourist from Nepal .
Government Response
In the wake of the attack, Prime Minister Narendra Modi cut short his Saudi Arabia visit to return to India. Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited the site and met with victims’ families. India has taken significant retaliatory actions, including closing a key land border with Pakistan, suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, and canceling a visa exemption scheme for Pakistani citizens .
Global Condemnation
The international community has expressed shock and condemnation. World leaders, including U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Russian President Vladimir Putin, have denounced the attack, emphasizing the need for collective action against terrorism.
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