Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir – April 23, 2025
In a devastating blow to peace in the Kashmir Valley, 26 innocent tourists were killed and several others critically injured when armed militants opened fire in Pahalgam, a picturesque town long cherished for its natural beauty and serenity. The heinous attack, carried out on Tuesday, has drawn widespread outrage and plunged the region into mourning.
Though no group has officially claimed responsibility, intelligence sources and some media outlets have pointed to the involvement of a Pakistan-based group linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba. The authorities are yet to issue an official confirmation.
This act of violence has raised serious questions about the current state of security in Jammu and Kashmir. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has cut short his state visit to Saudi Arabia and returned to New Delhi for high-level security meetings.
Reacting strongly to the incident, Advocate Arsalan Khalid called out the government’s previous assertions of having brought peace to the valley.
“Today, terrorists have carried out a cowardly attack in the Kashmir valley. We demand that this government take immediate and decisive steps against those responsible,” Advocate Khalid said.
“This is the same government that repeatedly claimed it had made Kashmir terror-free. If that’s true, then why is Kashmir still bleeding? The government must answer, and not just with words—we need action, now. Enough is enough.”
The tragic event marks a chilling escalation, as tourists—symbolic of a return to normalcy in the region—were deliberately targeted. According to security experts, this may have been a calculated move to destabilize the improving tourism industry in Kashmir.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has termed the attack “a large-scale assault unlike anything directed at civilians in recent years,” vowing full support to the victims’ families and calling for unity in this time of crisis.
The country is in mourning, but also on edge. Calls for strong retaliatory measures are growing from all corners—political leaders, citizens, and activists alike.
“Terrorism has no place in a civilized society,” Advocate Khalid added. “The blood of these innocent tourists must not go in vain. We need clarity, we need justice, and above all, we need a Kashmir where civilians aren’t collateral in geopolitical games.”
Security forces have launched a manhunt across the valley and are tightening border surveillance in the wake of the massacre.
Filed by: Advocate Arsalan Khalid