Published: April 25, 2025

By Dr. Anjali Sharma, Senior Political Analyst, Global News InsightsThis news item is based on the fact that I checked confirmed information from the official statements of the Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Policy, the Indian Ministry of Foreign Policy and the Reuters published by international news agencies.

Pahalgam Disaster

On April 24, 2025, we witnessed a shocking act when an explosion of the marketplace in Pahalgam, a scenic tourist destination in Jammu and Kashmir, India took place. The perpetrators of the crime were equipped with firearms and explosives and they not only hit the crowded market with the locals but also the tourists to cause the death of 26 people. The organized attack, which was one of the most tragic in India in almost 20 years, resulted in numerous injuries and hard times were felt by the residents of the area.

Indeed, the security officers of India, namely Jammu and Kashmir Police and Indian Army, have already greenlit a vast operation that aims to capture the perpetrator. Up to April 25, 2025, the attackers have not yet stepped forward to claim the responsibility, nevertheless the Ministry of Home Affairs of India is following up the issue and is working on some leads of the militants involved.

India’s Reaction: Security and Diplomacy

First and foremost, PM Narendra Modi through a press conference on April 24, 2025, has officially described the incident as an inhumane act of terrorism and stated that the perpetrators will be severely punished. The government has:

Mobilized more troops in Jammu and Kashmir.

Stepped up the security at the tourist destinations.

Guaranteed financial assistance for the families of the defunctioned and medical cover for the injured.

What India did was to diminish ties with Pakistan by diplomatic means. The country withdrew its High Commissioner from Islamabad and ejected Pakistan’s envoy from New Delhi. The move was explained by the Ministry of External Affairs as a reaction to the information provided by the Intelligence Agencies about Pakistan-based militant groups’ implicative role. Although no proof has been made public, Pakistan’s reaction remained off the denial path.

Kashmir: The State of the Region

At the center of a conflict between India and Pakistan, who both claim it as their own, Jammu and Kashmir has long been a battleground. There are frequent shooting incidents at the Line of Control (LoC) that splits the region. A report from the South Asia Terrorism Portal of 2024 suggests that even though the number of militant attacks has decreased, the current instance raises concerns about the existing challenges. This action could even lead to a situation where the two sides have sent their armed forces to the border being ki the risk of a conflict that has been fought in three wars starting from 1947, two of which had to do with Kashmir.

The Worldwide Outcry

President Donald Trump: “We are with India in the fight against terrorism.” (The President of the United States of America Donald Trump: “We are with India in the fight against terrorism.”)

UN and EU: Demanded the restoration of justice and non-escalation.

The attack highlights the problem of achieving safety for residents and tourists in Jammu and Kashmir which, in terms of security, is a state that has been of late been promoted as a safe place to travel.

Human Casualties

In Pahalgam, many households are in mourning and there is an air of uncertainty in connection with the local economy, which lives by the travel industry. The marketplace in Pahalgam was turned into a war zone, which, according to eyewitnesses, was chaotic and frenzied. The local authorities have announced the response plan that includes accommodation and health care facilities, while the government confirmed it will restore the demolished city.

The Road to Peace

Regardless of the ongoing investigations, the attack confirms the necessity of coming up with a dialogue for eliminating the problem of militancy and conflicts between India and Pakistan. In the absence of cooperation, Kashmir will become even more violent. For the latest news, consider following reputable sources like Reuters and official government announcements.