New Delhi: On April 22, 2025, a horrific terror attack tore through the tranquil Baisaran meadows in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, a location celebrated as “mini-Switzerland” for its breathtaking landscapes. This meticulously orchestrated assault, which claimed 26 lives, targeted tourists based on their religious identity, plunging the region into mourning and exposing critical gaps in security.

A Day of Horror in Baisaran Meadows

At approximately 2:50 pm on a vibrant Tuesday, Baisaran meadows, nestled seven kilometers from Pahalgam in Anantnag district, was alive with the chatter of 1,500 to 2,500 tourists, local vendors, and workers. The meadow, reachable only by foot or pony, is a magnet for trekkers, offering activities like zorbing, zip-lining, and trampoline jumps. The idyllic scene was shattered when six to seven armed terrorists, emerging from the nearby forest, unleashed a deadly barrage of gunfire.

Witnesses recounted scenes of panic as the attackers, clad in camouflage and black outfits and armed with AK-47 rifles, divided tourists into small groups. They interrogated men about their names and religious beliefs, executing non-Muslims at close range. One survivor described a gunman demanding a victim recite the Islamic kalma; failure to comply led to an immediate fatal shot. Another tourist was killed after his wife’s traditional attire—marked by vermilion and a bindi—caught the attackers’ attention. Women and children were spared, but the 30- to 40-minute ordeal left the meadow blood-soaked.

The terrorists, equipped with helmet-mounted cameras, recorded the massacre, likely for propaganda purposes. After the attack, they escaped into the dense upper reaches of the Baisaran forest, which links to remote valleys extending to Kishtwar’s Warwan valley, complicating pursuit efforts.

The Perpetrators: A Deadly Alliance

The Resistance Front (TRF), a shadow group linked to the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), claimed responsibility for the attack via an unverified online statement. While authorities are verifying the claim, investigations suggest the attackers comprised two local Kashmiris—Adil Guri from Anantnag and Ahsan from Pulwama—who had crossed into Pakistan in 2018 and recently returned, accompanied by three or four Pakistani nationals.

The Jammu and Kashmir police released sketches of three suspected Pakistani terrorists and shared a photograph of four armed men, retrieved from a phone at a previous encounter site in Poonch, believed to include three of the attackers. The group’s choice of Baisaran, with its lack of road access and minimal security, indicates a high level of reconnaissance and planning.

Security Failures Under the Spotlight

Pahalgam, a key pilgrimage hub hosting the Amarnath shrine, is typically fortified with layers of security, including the Army, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and J&K police. Yet, Baisaran meadows, despite drawing thousands of daily visitors, had no police presence or security outposts on the day of the attack. This absence, despite intelligence reports of militant activity, has sparked accusations of a “gross security lapse.”

National Conference MLA Altaf Kaloo, representing Pahalgam, criticized the oversight, noting that past militant threats prompted temporary security camps in Baisaran. “With 2,000 tourists visiting daily, how could such a vulnerable spot be left unguarded?” he questioned, highlighting the feasibility of deploying a small police unit. The lapse has fueled public anger and demands for accountability from security agencies.

India’s Robust Diplomatic Retaliation

The attack prompted immediate diplomatic measures against Pakistan, long accused of fostering terror groups like LeT. On April 23, 2025, India summoned the Pakistan High Commission’s Charge d’Affaires in New Delhi, declaring Pakistani military diplomats Persona Non Grata. In a bold escalation, India suspended the Indus Water Treaty, a critical agreement governing shared river resources, and banned Pakistani nationals from traveling to India under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme.

These actions followed a Cabinet Committee on Security meeting, convened to address the attack, which ranks among the deadliest in the Kashmir Valley since the 2019 Pulwama bombing. The measures signal India’s resolve to counter state-sponsored terrorism, a key driver of unrest in the region.

Why Terrorism Endures in Jammu and Kashmir

The Pahalgam attack exposes the persistent challenges fueling terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir:

1. Pakistan’s Role: Allegations of Pakistan providing safe havens, training, and logistics to groups like LeT and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) enable cross-border militancy.
2. Challenging Borders: The Line of Control’s rugged terrain hinders efforts to stop infiltration, despite initiatives like the Comprehensive Integrated Border Management System.
3. Communal Exploitation: Terror groups manipulate the region’s diverse religious and ethnic makeup—Muslims, Hindus, and tribal communities—to sow division.
4. Support Networks: Over Ground Workers (OGWs) sustain militancy by providing intelligence, funds, and recruitment support without engaging in combat.

The attack reflects a tactical shift, with militants targeting less-secured areas like Jammu and economic lifelines like tourism to disrupt stability. Since the 2019 abrogation of Article 370, the government has emphasized economic progress, but rising violence undermines claims of peace.

Economic Gains Amid Security Threats

Jammu and Kashmir’s economy has shown resilience, with its Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) projected to hit Rs 1.45 lakh crore in 2024–25, driven by a 10.6% rise in per capita income to Rs 1,54,703. Tourism, a vital sector, soared to 2.36 crore visitors in 2024, including 65,452 foreigners, boosting local employment and businesses. However, attacks like Pahalgam’s threaten to erode these gains by deterring tourists and instilling fear.

Post-Article 370 initiatives, such as Operation All-Out (2017) to eliminate militant leaders and Back to Village to enhance grassroots governance, aimed to stabilize the region. Yet, the emergence of smaller, tech-savvy militant cells embedded in communities has complicated counter-terrorism efforts. The Pahalgam attack, following a recent grenade incident in the area, underscores the intent to sabotage tourism-driven recovery.

The Human Toll and Local Impact

The attack’s human cost is profound. Victims like Sushil Nathaniel from Indore and Syed Adil Hussain from Kashmir were mourned in heart-wrenching funerals. Local ponywallas and workers heroically evacuated injured tourists, while Kashmiri Pandit employees in Baramulla were directed to work remotely until April 27 for safety.

Pahalgam’s bustling main market stood eerily silent on April 23, reflecting the attack’s immediate economic and emotional toll. In areas like Doda and Rajouri, fear has curtailed daily activities, with residents avoiding farming and schools amid rising militancy.

A Roadmap for Recovery

Addressing the crisis requires a multifaceted strategy:

1. Enhanced Border Security: Adopt the Madhukar Gupta Committee’s recommendations, including advanced surveillance and fortified border infrastructure, to deter infiltration.
2. Strengthened Governance: Empower local institutions to foster trust and reduce alienation among communities.
3. Community Outreach: Expand programs like Village Defence Guards, counter-radicalization efforts, and rehabilitation to weaken militant support networks.
4. Economic Empowerment: Bolster skill development schemes like Himayat and Udaan to engage youth and counter recruitment into militancy.

Security forces have launched extensive operations, using helicopters and commandos to pursue the attackers. The National Investigation Agency is probing local networks, interrogating hundreds of former OGWs and ex-militants to dismantle support structures.

Conclusion: Toward a Secure and Prosperous Future

The Pahalgam terror attack is a sobering reminder that economic metrics like GSDP and tourist arrivals alone cannot define stability in Jammu and Kashmir. While the region’s economic strides are notable, they coexist with a dynamic militant threat targeting civilians and economic pillars like tourism. India faces the dual challenge of sustaining growth while ensuring robust security and civic freedoms.

As the nation grieves 26 lost lives, the path forward hinges on integrating aggressive counter-terrorism, community engagement, and inclusive development. Only through such a comprehensive approach can Jammu and Kashmir reclaim its legacy as a haven of peace and natural beauty.

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