Indians call for ‘strong response’ to combat terrorism
Warning: This story and its images may be depressing
Venkat Raman
Auckland, April 23, 2025
The entire world is standing behind India as the country mourns the death of at least 27 people in attacks by terrorists in Baisaran, a meadow in Kashmir, accessible only by foot or on pony last evening (April 22, 2025).
The terrorists attack, which targeted tourists, has been widely condemned as a heinous act. Leaders have pledged support to India in its fight against terrorism, and security operations are underway to bring the perpetrators to justice.
Deadliest Terrorist Attacks
This is the deadliest attack by terrorists in recent years in Jammu and Kashmir and it was heartrending to watch many victims cry for help. Indian security forces are searching the areas to capture the perpetrators.
The Resistance Front (TRF), which is believed by officials to be an offshoot of the Pakistan-based proscribed militant outfit Lashkar-e-Tayyiba claimed responsibility for the attacks. According to the information gathered by us various sources, at least four terrorists disguised as security personnel fired bullets on innocent civilians who were visiting one of the most scenic parts of the world, described as ‘The Switzerland of India.’
Home Minister Amit Shah rushed to Kashmir, arrived in Pahalgam and immediately convened a meeting of officials and army personnel.
Modi vows action
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who returned to New Delhi, curtailing his visit to Saudi Arabia convened an emergency meeting with External Affairs Minister Dr Jaishankar Subrahmanyam, National Security Advisor Ajit Duval and others to assess the situation.
Sources said that Mr Modi will convene a meeting of the Cabinet Committee for Security and consider India’s response and defence strategy.
“I strongly condemn the terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. I pray that the injured recover at the earliest. All possible assistance is being provided to those affected. Those behind this heinous act will be brought to justice…they will not be spared! Their evil agenda will never succeed. Our resolve to fight terrorism is unshakable and it will get even stronger,” he said on X, quoted by other media.
There are no confirmed figures but we understand that at least 27 people died and many others injured. According to some reports, the dead included two foreigners and tourists from the Indian States of Karnataka, Maharashtra and Odisha.
Survivors recount the horror
Just hours after the terrorists attack, Pallavi Manjunath (from Karnataka), whose husband was gunned down by a terrorist told Arnab Goswami, “The terrorists asked for my husband’s name and shot him down. I told him, ‘Kill me too, for which he replied, ‘tell Modi.’ I saw my husband die in front of me.”
The following is an extract from a Report on The Wire India:
“A video that circulated on social media showed a young woman in tears narrating her ordeal to a man who sounds like a Kashmiri man. “I was eating bhelpuri with my husband when a man came and shot him. He [the gunman] said he was perhaps not a Muslim and that is why he shot him,” she cried. A middle-aged woman with a blood-smeared face and an anguished teenager can also be seen in the video, while the Kashmiri man can be heard assuring the victims that they had nothing to be afraid of and that he was going to stay with them. ‘Please save my husband. For God’s sake, save him,’ another woman screams at him. At some distance, a young man wearing a camouflage shirt can be seen lying motionless on the ground in a bloodied state while a local horseman with a phone hooked to his ear passes by.
“The camera then turns to the meadow, where two to three persons can be seen also lying on the ground motionless at some distance from each other. ‘Brother, please help us. Please ask for help. His condition is bad,’ another young woman says of her husband to the man shooting the video, who in turn offers them water as the 49-second video comes to end. Soon after the news reached the District Headquarters, a team of civil and police officials from Anantnag rushed to the meadow.”
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge called the attack “despicable carnage” and urged swift action. He stated that he had spoken to Union Home Minister Amit Shah and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, insisting that “The innocent victims must get justice.”
He urged the Federal Government to engage with political parties to ensure security in Jammu and Kashmir and the safety of tourists.
World leaders condemn killings
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the attack, urging all nations to step up efforts to combat terrorism and calling for global unity against such acts.
US President Donald Trump expressed deep sorrow, calling the attack ‘deeply disturbing’ and reaffirmed that the United States stands with India against terrorism.
Russian President Vladimir Putin extended condolences, calling the attack a ‘brutal crime’ and pledging increased cooperation with India in counter-terrorism efforts.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the attack “utterly devastating” and extended his thoughts to those affected.
Germany’s government strongly condemned the attack, calling for justice and reaffirming its commitment to working with India on counter-terrorism measures.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed solidarity with the victims and their families, offering condolences to the Indian government and people.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel stands united with India in the fight against terrorism.
Turkey’s government denounced the attack, calling it a cowardly act and expressing solidarity with India in its fight against terrorism.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman conveyed his support, stating that Saudi Arabia stands with India and is ready to offer any needed assistance.
United Arab Emirates (UAE) leadership expressed strong condemnation, reaffirming their commitment to fighting terrorism and supporting India in its efforts to maintain peace and security.
Bahrain’s leadership extended condolences to the victims and their families, emphasising the need for international cooperation to combat terrorism.
NZICA’s posers
New Zealand Indian Central Association President Veer Khar (a Kashmiri Pundit who had to flee his home State following Muslim terrorist attacks more than three decades ago), said that the Association condemns the ghastly killings by terrorists in Kashmir.
“The Kiwi Indian community is with the people of India in this hour of extreme pain and anguish. It is a very strange situation – where nearly half a million displaced people (for the last 36 years) are not able to go back to their homes but government is declaring the same area safe for tourists. This attack by the Jihadi cowards clearly indicates that they can strike at will. It is noteworthy that neither Mr Modi nor Mr Shah visited ever once, the camps of the displaced people, which indicates that they have yet to offer them any return package (mainly for the safety reasons) – yet the tourists are encouraged to go into far flung areas. NZICA is ready to support any family whose near and dear ones have been directly effected by this carnage,” he said.
The TRF Statement (unconfirmed)
An unconfirmed Statement attributed the following to the TRF, which sought to justify the attack as a retaliation against the alleged ‘demographic change’; in Jammu and Kashmir.
“Referring to the recent disclosure in the Jammu and Kashmir assembly that 83,742 domicile certificates have been issued to non-locals in Jammu and Kashmir over the past two years, the outfit said that non-locals ‘arrive posing as tourists, obtain domiciles and then begin to act as if they own the land. Consequently, violence will be directed against those attempting to settle illegally in Jammu and Kashmir.”
