by Temitope Oladeji
24/4/2025
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called a halt on his two-day official visit to Saudi Arabia, returning to New Delhi following a deadly militant attack in Kashmir that claimed the lives of at least 26 people, most of them were tourists.
The incident marks one of the most devastating assaults in the volatile Himalayan region in recent years.
According to Kashmir officials, the attack occurred in Pahalgam, a popular tourist destination in Jammu and Kashmir.
Among the victims were 24 Indian tourists, one Nepali national, and a local tour guide. At least 17 others sustained injuries and are receiving medical treatment.
Authorities have labelled the incident a “terror attack” and attributed responsibility to militants opposing Indian rule in the region, although no group has yet claimed responsibility.
Security forces have launched a sweeping crackdown across Kashmir, deploying tens of thousands of soldiers and paramilitary police to secure key areas, man checkpoints, and conduct thorough searches of vehicles and homes.
Former militants have reportedly been summoned for questioning as part of the widening investigation.
In a post on the social media platform X, Prime Minister Modi condemned the attack and vowed justice:
“I strongly condemn the terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured. The perpetrators will not be spared.”
Indian Home Minister Amit Shah visited a police control center in Srinagar on Wednesday, where he paid tribute to the victims and met with grieving families.
Shah declared that those responsible would face the “harshest consequences” and promised an unrelenting response.
The Indian military, in a statement, confirmed that operations are underway to apprehend those behind the attack.
Helicopters have been deployed to comb the dense, mountainous terrain for signs of the assailants, with efforts “focused on bringing the attackers to justice,” the army said.
The massacre comes at a diplomatically sensitive moment, coinciding with a high-level visit to India by the U.S. Vice President JD Vance, who is engaged in critical discussions with Indian officials aimed at easing long-standing trade tensions, including tariffs imposed by President Trump administration.
Vice President Vance, addressing the broader geopolitical stakes of the U.S.-India cooperation, warned earlier this week:
“If India and the United States fail to work together, the 21st century could become a very dark time for all of humanity.”
The latest attack underscores the ongoing instability in Kashmir and the challenges facing both regional security and India’s global partnerships.