The recent attack in Kashmir's Pahalgam on April 22, 2025, resulted in the tragic deaths of 26 people, mostly tourists, and has significantly heightened tensions between India and Pakistan. Here's a breakdown of the incident and its aftermath:

The Attack:

 On the afternoon of April 22, 2025, five armed militants attacked tourists in the Baisaran meadow of Pahalgam, a popular tourist destination accessible only by foot or horseback.

 The militants, believed to be associated with the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), specifically targeted male tourists after asking their religion. Those who could not recite Islamic verses were shot at point-blank range.

 25 tourists and one local Muslim pony ride operator, who attempted to resist the attackers, were killed. Several women were spared.

 The attack is considered the deadliest on civilians in Kashmir in decades.

 The Resistance Front (TRF), a known proxy for Lashkar-e-Taiba, initially claimed responsibility for the attack, stating it was in opposition to non-local settlement in the region. However, they later retracted this claim, attributing it to a "cyber intrusion." India maintains that TRF is indeed responsible and acts on the instructions of Lashkar-e-Taiba.

The mastermind behind the attack has been identified as Sheikh Sajjad Gul, the head of TRF, who operates from Pakistan under the patronage of Lashkar-e-Taiba.

India's Response:

 India strongly condemned the attack and blamed Pakistan for supporting the perpetrators. Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowed to take firm action against those responsible.

 In a retaliatory move, India launched "Operation Sindoor" in the early hours of May 7, 2025. Indian armed forces executed targeted strikes on nine terrorist infrastructure sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

India stated that the operation was "focused, measured, and non-escalatory," carefully avoiding Pakistani military facilities.

The strikes targeted key Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) strongholds, including Muridke, believed to be the headquarters of Lashkar-e-Taiba.

India briefed several countries, including the US, UK, UAE, and Russia, about the strikes.

Pakistan's Reaction:

Pakistan has denied any involvement in the Pahalgam attack and rejected India's attempts to link it to the incident.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called for de-escalation and offered to join a credible international probe into the attack.

 Pakistan's army chief alleged that India was planning an attack, a claim India has not directly addressed publicly.

Impact and Implications:

 The attack has triggered widespread anger in India and has led to increased security measures in Kashmir.

 Tourism in the Kashmir Valley has been severely impacted, leading to mass cancellations and significant financial losses for the local economy.

 *Tensions between India and Pakistan have escalated significantly, with reports of cross-border firing along the Line of Control (LoC).

  The attack has brought the Kashmir conflict back into international focus, with several countries condemning the violence and urging de-escalation.

Historical Context:

This is not the first time that attacks on civilians in Kashmir have coincided with significant international events or visits, a tactic believed to be aimed at gaining maximum global attention. The Chittisinghpura massacre of 36 Sikhs in March 2000 occurred on the eve of then-US President Bill Clinton's visit to India, bearing a chilling resemblance to the timing of the Pahalgam attack during the US Vice-President's visit in 2025.

  Pahalgam was also the site of a massacre in August 2000 during the Amarnath pilgrimage, where 32 people, including Hindu pilgrims and local Muslim shopkeepers, were killed. Lashkar-e-Taiba was blamed for that attack as well.

The Pahalgam attack serves as a stark reminder of the persistent threat of terrorism in the region and the fragile nature of peace in the Kashmir Valley. The retaliatory actions by India and the heightened rhetoric from both sides underscore the urgent need for de-escalation and a renewed focus on peaceful resolution. 

Let's join hands together to fight against the terrorist and protect Kashmir.