In one of the deadliest terrorist attacks in Jammu & Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, 28 innocent tourists were killed and dozens injured in a brutal ambush in Pahalgam, a popular tourist destination. The attack, claimed by The Resistance Front—a proxy of Pakistan’s ISI-backed Lashkar-e-Toiba—has sent shockwaves across India and reignited questions about the state of national security, online radicalisation, and the spread of anti-India propaganda on social media platforms.
The Pahalgam Attack: Anatomy of a Terrorist Assault
On April 22, 2025, around 2:30 p.m., a group of six terrorists 4 dressed in Army fatigues and 2 in Pathani suit stormed the Baisaran meadow, about 7 kilometres from Pahalgam, and opened fire indiscriminately at a crowd of tourists. Out of 6 terrorists 4 were Pakistanis and 2 belongs to local. Survivors described a chilling pattern: attackers asked their victims to recite Islamic verses to identify their religion before unleashing gunfire.
Among the victims were a Navy officer, honeymooners, two foreign nationals, and families enjoying a spring afternoon in the snow-capped beauty of Kashmir. Due to no security presence, the attackers managed to enter the area with weapons, carry out the massacre, and vanish, prompting widespread concern over a significant lapse in intelligence and on-ground surveillance since no J&K Police and Indian Army were deployed in the region for security purpose.
The backdrop of the recent Pahalgam terrorist attack can be traced to the provocative rhetoric of Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir, who, in a recent speech, reignited the divisive two-nation theory. Labeling Kashmir as Pakistan’s “jugular vein,” he urged citizens to instill in their children the belief that they are fundamentally different from Hindus in every aspect—religion, culture, traditions, and aspirations. This inflammatory address was soon echoed by Lashkar-e-Toiba commander Abu Musa, who delivered a similarly incendiary speech targeting Hindus (Ram Ram and Amarnath Yatra) and India during the CMR Lashkar Conference held last week in Rawalkot, Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
This attack was not only the most lethal strike on tourists since the Chittisinghpora massacre in 2000, but also strategically timed, coinciding with U.S. Vice-President JD Vance’s visit to India and PM Modi’s diplomatic outreach in Saudi Arabia. Analysts believe the motive was to draw global attention, provoke instability, and project Kashmir as a flashpoint in Indo-Pak relations. The sketches of the terrorists involved in the heinous act has been released – named Asif Fauji, Suleman Shah and Abu Talha.
Even more alarming than the attack itself is the disturbing glorification of terrorism emerging from certain quarters on social media. One such post by a user named @MNQUASMIMD thanked Pakistan and Lashkar-e-Toiba, invoking blessings for the terror group and openly encouraging violence against Indian institutions such as the RSS, BJP, Bajrang Dal, and the media. While the tweet garnered limited views, its message was clear: celebration of bloodshed and incitement to further violence.
The same account, identifying itself as belonging to an “Islamic lawyer” from Jharkhand, also used hashtags linking the tweet to Earth Day, Kashmir, and separatist sentiments. This is not an isolated case of radical expression—it is part of a broader pattern of narrative warfare playing out online, where misinformation, religious manipulation, and geopolitical propaganda blend into a potent cocktail of extremism.
The Cultural Front: Tourism and Fashion Under Fire
The Indian government’s initiatives to promote tourism in Jammu and Kashmir have also been criticised by fringe elements. A video posted by “Radio Sadaye Hurriyet Jammu And Kashmir” accused the Modi government of using tourism as a tool for “cultural invasion” in the region.
The Reddit Whisper: Did Someone Know Beforehand?
A chilling post on Reddit added another layer of complexity to the situation. A user condemned the Pahalgam massacre but mentioned that someone had previously posted about “shooting tourists” and even referenced the location. While the original account was deleted, another account linked to separatist ideologies remained active. This raises disturbing questions—was this attack premeditated and hinted at online?
International Strategy Behind the Attack
Observers have pointed out that this attack aligns with Pakistan’s repeated attempts to inter-nationalise the Kashmir issue, especially during periods of high-profile diplomatic visits to India. From the 2000 Chittisinghpora killings (ahead of President Clinton’s visit) to this attack during VP Vance’s India tour, there is a consistent pattern. The ISI’s calculated use of terror proxies, amplified through social media and propaganda channels, underscores a hybrid warfare model that includes physical violence and narrative subversion.
Conclusion: A Call for Unity and Vigilance
The soul of India was wounded in Pahalgam, but it must not be broken. In times of grief and provocation, we must resist division, amplify unity, and respond with resolve, not revenge. The battle against terrorism is as much about securing borders as it is about safeguarding minds. This attack mirrors the brutal tactics employed by Hamas and other extremist groups engaged in targeted killings—deliberate, ideologically driven violence meant to instill fear and provoke communal unrest. Just as the world condemns such acts elsewhere, India must remain unwavering in its stand against terrorism and those who justify or celebrate such inhumanity. Let us honour the victims by standing united, alert, and unyielding to forces that seek to divide us.
