Srinagar, April 23, 2025 – Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha met the families of the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack in Srinagar today, offering condolences and reaffirming the government’s resolve to deliver justice. The attack, which took place on April 22, 2025, in the Baisaran meadow near Pahalgam, Anantnag district, claimed 26 lives, predominantly tourists, making it one of the deadliest civilian attacks in the region since 2019.
The leaders visited the Police Control Room (PCR) in Srinagar, where they paid floral tributes to the victims during a solemn wreath-laying ceremony. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, along with senior security officials, including Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat and Intelligence Bureau Director Tapan Deka, joined them in honoring the deceased. Speaking to the families, Shah assured them of stringent action, stating, “The perpetrators of this cowardly act will face the full might of our security forces. We stand with you in this hour of grief.”
The Pahalgam terror attack unfolded at approximately 2:30 PM on April 22, when terrorists opened fire on civilians in the scenic Baisaran valley, a popular tourist spot. The attack left 26 dead, including two foreign nationals and one Nepali citizen, with victims hailing from 11 Indian states. Several others were injured and are receiving treatment. The Resistance Front (TRF), a front for the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), claimed responsibility, amplifying concerns about escalating militancy in the region, especially with the Amarnath Yatra approaching.
Amit Shah, who arrived in Srinagar on the evening of April 22, chaired a high-level security review meeting to evaluate the situation and bolster counter-terrorism measures. Sources indicate that prior intelligence warnings about potential attacks on non-locals had been issued, prompting scrutiny of security protocols. Shah emphasized a zero-tolerance policy, declaring, “Those behind this heinous act will be hunted down and brought to justice.”
The attack triggered a swift response from the central government. Prime Minister Narendra Modi cut short his visit to Saudi Arabia to lead a high-level meeting in Delhi with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also returned early from the United States. Internationally, leaders such as US President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the attack. Trump personally called Modi, stating, “The US stands firmly with India in its fight against terrorism.”
In Jammu and Kashmir, a Kashmir Bandh was observed on April 23, supported by political parties including the National Conference, Peoples Democratic Party, and Apni Party, to protest the violence. Candlelight vigils and marches were held in Srinagar, Baramulla, Poonch, and Kupwara to mourn the victims and demand peace. Security forces, including the Indian Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police, launched extensive search operations in the Baisaran area to track the attackers. On April 23, the Army neutralized two militants during an infiltration attempt in the Uri sector, signaling intensified counter-terrorism efforts. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has been tasked with probing the attack.