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The News
The horrific terrorist attack on tourists in Pahalgam on April 22, 2025, created havoc in our paradise: Kasmir, but has galvanized India into an unprecedented display of national unity against terrorism. This tragedy, which claimed 26 innocent lives, has become a turning point in India’s response to cross-border terrorism, uniting citizens across religious, political, and regional lines. From world leaders expressing solidarity to local Kashmiris organising protests, from mosque imams delivering anti-terror sermons to opposition parties backing government actions, the response demonstrates a resolute rejection of extremist violence and its sponsors.
The Hypothesis
”Indian Citizens Defeated Pakistan’s Nefarious Ideas by Displaying Unprecedented Unity Against State Sponsored Terrorism”
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The Focus
- On April 22, 2025, five armed militants attacked tourists in Baisaran Valley, Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, killing at least 26 people and injuring 20, making it the deadliest such attack since Mumbai 2008.
- The attackers, linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba and The Resistance Front, specifically targeted non-local tourists, asking their religion and forcing some to recite the Kalma before shooting them; most victims were Hindus, with one Christian and one local Muslim pony operator among the dead.
- The militants wore military-style uniforms, used AK-47s and M4 Rifles, and exploited the absence of security, having conducted reconnaissance days before the attack.
- The attack led to immediate and widespread condemnation from world leaders and organisations, including the United Nations, which called attacks on civilians “unacceptable”.
- The Indian government responded by granting armed forces “complete operational freedom” and taking strong diplomatic actions against Pakistan, including suspending the Indus Waters Treaty and expelling diplomats.
- Massive protests and shutdowns were observed across Kashmir’s cities and fruit markets, with local business leaders and ordinary Kashmiris condemning the violence and expressing solidarity with the victims.
- Mosques across India, including more than 5.5 lakh, delivered anti-terror sermons during Friday prayers, with imams and Muslim organisations unequivocally denouncing the attack and separating Islam from terrorism.
- Major Muslim associations and bodies like Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind publicly condemned the attack and organised protest marches, reinforcing the message that terrorism has no religion.
- Opposition parties united with the government, supporting all actions taken in response to the attack and calling for national unity against terrorism.
- The incident has reinforced India’s resolve and demonstrated unprecedented national unity across political, religious, and regional lines in the face of Pakistan-sponsored terrorism.
The Pahalgam Attack: A Tragedy in Paradise
The Baisaran Valley in Pahalgam, known for its picturesque meadows and snow-capped mountains as good as Switzerland, became the site of a brutal massacre on April 22, 2025. Terrorists targeted tourists in this popular destination, killing 26 people and injuring several others in one of the deadliest attacks in the region in recent years. Among the victims was a Nepali national and a person of Indian origin who worked in the Middle East, while the remaining 24 were Indian tourists.
The attack unfolded in the Baisaran Valley-an area only accessible by foot or horseback-turning a scenic vacation spot into a scene of carnage. Survivors described horrific scenes as unidentified gunmen opened fire on tourists from close range. One female survivor recounted how her husband was shot in the head while seven others were injured in the attack. Another survivor, Asavari Jagdale from India’s western city of Pune, revealed that the gunmen entered the tent where her family was hiding, accused them of supporting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and then shot her male relatives, including her father.
Terrorist Tactics: Meticulously Planned Operation
The investigation has revealed a carefully orchestrated attack involving four terrorists-three Pakistani nationals and one local militant identified as Adil Thokar. The attackers employed sophisticated planning and preparation before executing their deadly mission.
Preparation and Infiltration
The terrorists were present in Baisaran Valley two days prior to the attack, conducting reconnaissance of the area. According to sources from the investigation, they had surveyed at least four potential targets, including Aru Valley, a local amusement park, and Betaab Valley, but heightened security at these locations deterred them from striking there. Instead, they chose the more vulnerable Baisaran area for the attack.
The assailants trekked approximately 20-22 hours through difficult terrain from Kokernag forests to reach the Baisaran valley. This arduous journey through rough, mountainous landscape demonstrates their determination and familiarity with the region’s geography.
The Local Connection
The local terrorist, Adil Thokar, played a crucial role in the attack. Having initially joined Hizbul Mujahideen in 2018 after becoming radicalized, Thokar legally crossed into Pakistan using valid documents. There, he received advanced training with Lashkar-e-Taiba before returning to Kashmir in 2024. Since his return, he had been actively assisting Pakistani terrorists by providing logistical support and guiding them through the region’s challenging terrain.
Execution of the Attack
Forensic analysis and eyewitnesses have confirmed that the terrorists used AK-47 and M4 assault rifles during the assault, with recovered cartridges providing crucial evidence. The attack appears to have been executed in a coordinated manner: two terrorists emerged from behind nearby shops, ordering victims to recite the Kalma (Islamic declaration of faith) before shooting four people at point-blank range. The real aim of identification as Muslim and non-Muslim by terrorists, is to push religious divide in India. No doubt, this triggered panic among tourists, who ran in various directions seeking safety. Simultaneously, the other two terrorists opened fire from the zipline area, intensifying the bloodbath.
Global Condemnation: World Leaders Stand with India
The international community has responded with swift and strong condemnation of the terrorist attack, with world leaders expressing solidarity with India and reaffirming their commitment to counter terrorism.
United States Response
US President Donald Trump strongly condemned the attack, writing on Truth Social: “Deeply disturbing news out of Kashmir. The United States stands strong with India against terrorism. We pray for the souls of those lost and for the recovery of the injured. Prime Minister Modi and the incredible people of India have our full support and deepest sympathies. Our hearts are all with you.” President Trump subsequently spoke with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, expressing full support to bring the perpetrators to justice.
Other World Leaders’ Reactions
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni were among the global leaders who expressed their deepest condolences and solidarity with India. Israel’s Prime minister also condemned the attack, reaffirming Israel’s unwavering commitment to stand with India in its fight against terrorism.
United Nations Security Council Statement
On April 25, 2025, the UN Security Council issued a strong statement condemning the terrorist attack “in the strongest terms.” The Council members expressed “their deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims and to the Government of India and Government of Nepal.” They underlined the need to hold the perpetrators, organizers, financiers, and sponsors accountable, urging all states to cooperate with relevant authorities in bringing them to justice.
The Security Council reaffirmed that “terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security” and reiterated that “any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation.”
Kashmir’s Defiant Response: Valley Rejects Terrorism
Perhaps the most significant reaction came from within Kashmir itself, where locals across the Valley demonstrated their unequivocal rejection of terrorism through widespread protests and business shutdowns.
Business Closures in Solidarity
All fruit and vegetable markets across the Kashmir Valley remained closed for two consecutive days following the attack, as traders and growers staged widespread protests condemning the violence. This coordinated response represented a significant economic sacrifice by local businesses to demonstrate their outrage at the targeting of tourists.
United Voice of Kashmir’s Business Community
Bashir Ahmad Basheer, President of the Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers and Dealers Union (KVFGDU), led protests at Fruit Mandi Parimpora in Srinagar, passionately declaring: “What happened in Pahalgam is not just an attack on innocent tourists but an assault on our very identity as Kashmiris. For generations, we have prided ourselves on our hospitality toward visitors. This cowardly act stands against everything we believe in.”
Basheer further emphasized that the perpetrators had not only killed innocent people but also attempted to damage “the fragile tourism ecosystem that thousands of valley residents depend upon for their livelihood.” This statement highlights the economic dimension of terrorism in the region, which threatens the livelihoods of ordinary Kashmiris who rely on tourism.
Valley-Wide Demonstrations: A Region United in Protest
The protests against the terrorist attack spread throughout the Kashmir Valley, with coordinated demonstrations in multiple cities and markets.
Coordinated Protest Processions
On Thursday, April 24, coordinated protest processions were organized across all major fruit and vegetable mandis in the Valley. These demonstrations took place in multiple locations, including Parimpora (Srinagar), Sopore, Baramulla, Handwara, Char-e-Shareef, Shopian, Pulwama, Kulgam, Anantnag, Jablipora, Pachar, and Zazna Ganderbal.
Local Leadership Against Terrorism
Market presidents from all twelve major trading centers mobilized their communities in a show of solidarity against terrorism. Fayaz Ahmad Malik, President of Fruit Mandi Sopore, led hundreds of traders in his district, carrying placards condemning the violence. Similarly, Muhammad Ashraf Wani in Shopian and Ghulam Muhammad Banday in Kulgam led their respective communities in protests.
The markets had initially suspended operations on Wednesday, April 23, immediately following news of the attack, and extended the shutdown through Thursday as a mark of protest and mourning. This economic sacrifice underscores the depth of feeling among ordinary Kashmiris against terrorism in their region.
A Unified Religious Voice: Mosques Condemn Terror Attacks
In a powerful demonstration of religious unity against terrorism, mosques across India delivered strong anti-terror messages during Friday prayers following the attack.
Nationwide Anti-Terror Message from 5.5 Lakh Mosques
Imam Umer Ahmed Ilyasi, head of the All India Imam Organisation, announced that imams at over 5.5 lakh mosques across India would deliver a strong anti-terror message during Friday prayers and pray for the victims of the Pahalgam attack. This unprecedented coordinated response from religious leaders showed Islam’s rejection of violence perpetrated in its name.
Religious Leaders’ Clear Stance
After meeting with officials from his organization and representatives of other faiths, Ilyasi emphasized that killing innocent people in the name of religion is not only against Islam but also against humanity. This clear statement separated the terrorists’ actions from the teachings of Islam, reinforcing that terrorism has no religious justification.
Muslim Organizations Take a Stand: Collective Rejection of Terrorism
Various Muslim organizations across India strongly denounced the Pahalgam attack, emphasizing that terrorism contradicts the core principles of Islam.
Prominent Organizations Condemn Violence
The Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind, a leading Islamic organization in India, strongly denounced the Pahalgam terror attack, stating that giving the incident a religious angle is misguided. The organization emphasized that terrorism is a “cancer” that goes against Islam’s message of peace.
Separating Terrorism from Religion
Muslim organisations consistently emphasised that terrorism has no place in Islam. Imam Ilyasi stated clearly that prayers would be offered at mosques for the innocent people killed in Pahalgam and their families. During Friday prayers, imams would give a strong message against terrorism during their khutba (sermon), reinforcing Islam’s peaceful teachings and rejection of violence.
Conclusion: A Nation’s Unprecedented Unified Response to Pakistan Sponsored Terrorism
The Pahalgam terror attack of April 22, 2025, while tragic in its human cost, has demonstrated India’s remarkable capacity for unity in the face of terrorism. The response transcended religious, political, and regional divides, bringing together diverse sections of society in a common stand against violence and its sponsors.
From world leaders offering solidarity to local Kashmiris shutting businesses in protest, from mosques delivering anti-terror sermons to Muslim organizations holding demonstrations, the reaction has been comprehensive and unified. This collective response sends a powerful message: attacks on India’s people are attacks on India itself, and the nation stands united in its rejection of terrorism regardless of where it originates.
Is the hypothesis,”Indian Citizens Defeated Pakistan’s Nefarious Ideas by Displaying Unprecedented Unity Against State Sponsored Terrorism” Stands proved or not? Please write your comments in the comment box below
Hi
My compliments for a nicely summarised article on this burning issue. It’s indeed heartening to see majority of the country coming together across the political and religious spectrum. Now is also the time to identify, name and take strict action against the anti-nationals working in all fields and across different strata of the society. This would send a clear message to everyone that anti national sentiments will not be tolerated in this country irrespective of who you are. I believe this would assist in enhancing national cohesion, act as a deterrent for anti-national activities and ensure internal peace and security in the long run.