By aniketbanerjee 
Jammu and Kashmir, April 22, 2025:
A horrifying terror attack struck the peaceful tourist spot of Baisaran near Pahalgam on Monday, claiming the lives of at least 28 people and leaving over 20 others injured. The attack has been claimed by The Resistance Front (TRF), a group believed to be connected to the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba.
What Happened?
The attack occurred around 2:45 PM when a group of four to six armed terrorists, dressed in army-like uniforms, appeared from the surrounding forest. They reportedly pretended to be security personnel and began asking tourists about their names and religious identities before opening fire without mercy.
Eyewitnesses said the attackers specifically targeted non-Muslim tourists and spared a few women, seemingly to spread the word about the attack. The peaceful hill meadow quickly turned into a scene of chaos and bloodshed.
Who Were the Victims?
The people who lost their lives came from many parts of India, including states like Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Odisha. Among the victims were also two foreign tourists—one from Nepal and another from the United Arab Emirates. Tragically, a young officer from the Indian Navy and an Intelligence Bureau official were also killed in the assault. Two local residents were also among the deceased.
Government Action
Soon after the incident, Prime Minister Narendra Modi ended his official trip to Saudi Arabia and returned to India. Union Home Minister Amit Shah held an emergency meeting with top security officials in New Delhi. He ordered intensified counter-terror operations in Jammu and Kashmir and promised that the government would continue its fight to eliminate terrorism from the region.
Global Response
The international community reacted strongly to the attack. Countries like the United States, Russia, Italy, Iran, and the UAE voiced their condemnation and expressed support for India. U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance, who happened to be in India at the time, offered his condolences and backed India’s efforts to fight terrorism.
Search Operations Underway
Security forces have launched a major search operation in and around the Baisaran area to find those responsible. In a related incident, Indian troops reportedly stopped two more militants trying to enter through the Uri sector.
Political Voices Speak Out
Leaders from opposition parties, including Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, criticised the government over the security lapse. He called for a detailed investigation into how such an attack could take place. Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti also condemned the violence and urged the government to take full responsibility.
A Wake-Up Call
This tragic event is one of the deadliest attacks on civilians in Jammu and Kashmir since the 2019 Pulwama bombing. It serves as a grim reminder of the ongoing threat of terrorism in the region and highlights the need for stronger security systems to protect both locals and tourists.
List of Deceased Victims
The victims hailed from various states across India, as well as two foreign nations:
From India:
- Sushil Nathyal—Madhya Pradesh
- Sayyed Adil Hussain Shah—Jammu and Kashmir
- Hemant Suhas Joshi—Maharashtra
- Vinay Narwal—Haryana
- Atul Shrikant Moni—Maharashtra
- Neeraj Udhvani—Uttarakhand
- Bittan Adhikari—West Bengal
- Subham Dwivedi—Uttar Pradesh
- Prashant Kumar Satpathy—Odisha
- Manish Ranjan—Bihar
- N. Ramachandra—Kerala
- Sanjay Lakshman Lali—Maharashtra
- Dinesh Agrawal—Chandigarh
- Sameer Guhar—West Kangla
- Dilip Dasoli—Maharashtra
- J. Sanchayan Moli—Andhra Pradesh
- Madhusudan Someshetti—Karnataka
- Santosh Jagatha—Maharashtra
- Manjunath Rao—Karnataka
- Kasturba Gavantoy—Maharashtra
- Bharat Bhushan—Karnataka
- Sumit Parmar—Gujarat
- Tedehyaling—Arunachal Pradesh
- Shaileshbhai Kalathiya—Gujarat
- Yagnesh Parmar—Gujarat
Foreign Nationals: 26. Sudeep Neupane—Nepal
27. Bittan Adhikari Udhvani Kumar—United Arab Emirates (Note: His name appeared in Tuesday’s list but is currently absent from the latest update.)
Injured Victims Identified So Far
- Sushil Nathyal—Madhya Pradesh
- Sayyed Adil Hussain Shah—Jammu and Kashmir
- Hemant Suhas Joshi—Maharashtra
- Vinay Narwal—Haryana
- Atul Shrikant Moni—Maharashtra
- Neeraj Udhvani—Uttarakhand
- Bittan Adhikari—West Bengal
- Subham Dwivedi—Uttar Pradesh
(Note: Identification of injured individuals is still ongoing.)
Ongoing Investigation and Search Operations
Security forces have launched extensive search operations across the region to track down the terrorists responsible. The attack has been claimed by The Resistance Front (TRF), a Lashkar-e-Taiba-affiliated group.
Government Response
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has returned to India after cutting short his overseas visit. Home Minister Amit Shah chaired an emergency meeting, directing enhanced counter-terrorism efforts in the region.
Stay tuned to XMNews24.com for verified updates and detailed ground reports.
