Current Affairs Details

Table of content 

1. Introduction

2. Pahalgam is known as Mini-Switzerland

3. Tragedy struck the Baisaran Valley on April 22, 2025

4. Victims of the attack 

5. Responsibility

6. Lessons from this attack 

Introduction -

Pahalgam is located at an altitude of 2,200 meters in the Indian Union Territory of Kashmir Valley, on the banks of the Lidar River. Pahalgam has long been a beacon of natural beauty and tranquility in the heart of our Indian paradise, Kashmir. As per the 2024 census, 1.25 Million Tourists flocked to this attractive place, and the mainstay of the economy in Kashmir is the tourism industry. But amidst all this, on April 22, 2025, this peaceful town witnessed a horrific horror. A sudden and brutal attack was carried out on tourists arriving in Pahalgam. The 22nd of this month, 2025, became a grim reminder for the people of India and the world. Terrorism can strike even the most peaceful and beautiful places and destroy them. This tragic incident deeply wounded not only Pahalgam but also the soul of Kashmir.   

Pahalgam is known as Mini-Switzerland

Located in the Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir, Pahalgam is often called the jewel of the Lidar Valley. Famous for its lush green meadows, snow-capped peaks and crystal-clear rivers, it attracts thousands of tourists every year. The most popular place to visit with its serene environment is the Baisaran Valley. It is also called Mini Switzerland for its stunning natural beauty. Nature-loving travelers come to this enchanting place for horse riding, trekking, camping, photography, and to make sweet memories of a lifetime. This peaceful and serene valley offers the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. In 2025, many families gathered with their loved ones to enjoy this natural beauty.

Tragedy struck the Baisaran Valley on April 22, 2025

April 22, 2025, started as a bright and cheerful day in the Baisaran Valley. Tourists were busy making sweet memories, riding horses and enjoying the fresh mountain air. Suddenly, without any warning, gunfire broke out. Five militants attacked the tourists using rifles like AK-47 and M4 carbines. Within minutes, the joy turned into panic. The attackers opened fire indiscriminately, creating panic and chaos. The peaceful holiday turned into a nightmare. People started running for shelter to save their lives, a peaceful environment. Some innocent people remained witnesses to this unimaginable scene.

Victims of the attack -

The attack killed at least 26 innocent people, including two foreign tourists. Most of those killed in the attack in the Baisaran Valley were Hindus. According to reports from surviving tourists, the militants asked their names and religions before opening fire. According to some tourists, they were asked to recite the Kalma so that the militants could distinguish religions, and even checked the circumcision of the men and shot at close range if they were found to be non-Muslims. A Hindu man who recited the Kalma survived, while a Christian from Madhya Pradesh was killed. The wife of another victim from Andhra Pradesh said that the militants asked her husband, "Hindu hai, Muslim hai?" When they did not respond, her husband was killed. Survivors of that attack have told various media outlets about the heart breaking scenes of that time. Children lost their fathers in this incident, wifes lost their husbands, and mothers lost their children. The incident left a deep psychological scar beyond the physical injuries. Families were left deeply grieving and forever incomplete.

Responsibility

The Resistance Front (TRF), a wing of the Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba, initially claimed responsibility for the attack. In a statement on Telegram, the TRF linked the attack to the Indian government's policy of allowing non-Kashmiris to settle and work in Kashmir. It expressed opposition to demographic change and warned that violence would be targeted against those attempting to settle illegally. However, on 26 April, the TRF retracted its claim. It cited a communication blackout as the reason for its earlier statement. The TRF also alleged that Indian intelligence agencies were involved in the attack and that it was conducting its own investigation into the incident.

Lessons from this attack -

The 2025 Pahalgam attack served as a painful but important lesson for both the authorities and the community. Popular tourist destination security should be never take lightly. Better surveillance, stricter entry control, and enhanced emergency measures have been introduced. The accident has also reinforced the importance of unity and vigilance among residents and visitors. While the attack has caused unimaginable suffering, it has also strengthened the resolve to protect Kashmir's tourism industry and ensure that such accidents do not happen again.

FAQ ----

1. Where did the Pahalgam attack take place on April 22, 2025?

The attack took place in the Baisaran Valley of Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir.

2. Who was targeted during the attack?

The attackers targeted non-Muslim tourists who were visiting the valley for leisure and adventure that day.

3. What weapons did the attackers use?

The attackers used automatic weapons such as AK-47 rifles and M4 carbines.

4. How many people lost their lives?

26 innocent people were killed, including one local Muslim and 25 tourists.

• The names of the 26 people who died

1. Bitan Adhikari 

2. Sameer Guha

3. Manish Ranjan

4. Sushil Nathaniel

5. Syed Adil Hussain Shah

6. Hemant Suhas Joshi

7. Lt. Vinay Narwal

8. Atul Shrikant Mone

9. Neeraj Udhwani

10. Sudip Neupane

11. Shubham Dwivedi

12. Prashant Kumar Satpathy

13.  N. Ramachandran

14. Sanjay Lakshman Lele

15. Dinesh Agarwal

16. Dilip Disle

17. J.S. Chandramouli

18. Somisetti Madhusudan Rao

19. Santosh Jagdale

20. Bharat Bhushan

21. Sumit Parmar

22. Yatish Parmar

23. Tage Hailyang

24. Shailesh Kalathiya

25. Manjunath Rao

26. Kaustubh Ganbote