A coordinated terrorist assault in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, has left 26 tourists dead and over 20 injured, marking the deadliest civilian attack in India since 2008. Investigations have revealed that the operation was orchestrated by Saifullah Kasuri, a senior commander of the proscribed Lashkar-e-Taiba group. The attack was executed by a five-member module, including at least three foreign nationals, affiliated with The Resistance Front , an LeT offshoot.
On 22 April, the assailants, armed with M4 carbines and AK-47 rifles, infiltrated the Baisaran Valley near Pahalgam, a popular tourist destination. Disguised in military-style uniforms, they targeted Hindu tourists, reportedly verifying identities through religious tests before opening fire. Eyewitnesses recounted that victims were forced to recite Islamic verses and, in some cases, subjected to physical checks. The attackers spared a woman, instructing her to relay the incident to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The TRF claimed responsibility, citing opposition to the settlement of non-Kashmiris as a motive. Indian authorities have long asserted that TRF serves as a front for LeT, established to mask Pakistan-based involvement in Kashmir militancy. Kasuri, also known by the alias Khalid, has been identified as the mastermind behind the massacre. Sketches of three suspects—Asif Fauji , Suleman Shah , and Abu Talha —have been released. All are linked to previous militant activities in the Poonch region.
In response, the National Investigation Agency has initiated a comprehensive probe. Security forces have detained approximately 1,500 individuals across Jammu and Kashmir. The Indian government has taken diplomatic measures, including suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, closing the Wagah border, and expelling Pakistani defense officials. Prime Minister Modi, cutting short an overseas trip, convened an emergency meeting, vowing to bring the perpetrators to justice.
International reactions have been swift. Leaders from the United States, United Kingdom, China, and other nations have condemned the attack. The United Nations and European Union have issued statements of condolence. Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry expressed sympathy for the victims but denied involvement, attributing the violence to internal unrest within India.
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