Massive Terror Attack In J&K’s Pahalgam: Govt Focus On Timing, Location, Say Sources

SOURCE ; NEW18

Last Updated:April 22, 2025, 19:59 IST

This attack, which was targeted, as the attackers checked if the tourists were non-Muslims, comes days after Pakistan army chief Asim Munir reignited the ‘two-nation theory’

The timing and location of the worst terror attack against tourists in Jammu and Kashmir are the focus of the Indian government, top sources have told CNN-News18.

27 people have been killed, including an Israeli and an Italian national, said intelligence sources, while many others are injured. The attack came as US Vice President JD Vance was in India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi was on an official trip to Saudi Arabia. Pahalgam is a major tourist town and the base for the Amarnath Yatra that begins in a few weeks. The attack is so serious that Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to union home minister Amit Shah from Jeddah and asked him to rush to Jammu and Kashmir.

This attack, which was targeted, as the attackers checked if the tourists were non-Muslims, comes days after Pakistan army chief Syed Asim Munir Ahmed Shah reignited the “two-nation theory”. Munir said there were distinct differences between Hindus and Muslims “in every aspect of life”, while justifying the partition. An offshoot of the Pakistan-backed Lashkar-e-Taiba is believed to be responsible.

Given the scale, which some consider as abhorrent as the Pulwama terror strike on the CRPF in 2019, the Pahalgam attack will see a strong response. The Prime Minister has promised that “those behind this heinous act will be brought to justice…they will not be spared.” Home minister Amit Shah said the government “will come down heavily on the perpetrators with the harshest consequences”.

Vance and several senior US leaders have chosen not to combine an India trip with Pakistan in recent years. India has cited this decoupling as a signal that Pakistan is a terror state and has been exposed on the international stage as a state sponsor of terrorism. The recent extradition of 26/11 attacks accused Tahawwur Hussain Rana from the United States to India is also expected to unmask Pakistan’s role in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks—another major factor being seen as a precursor to the Pahalgam strike.

Tourists have not generally been targets of terrorists in J&K—past attacks have been on security forces and migrant Hindu labourers working there. The Pahalgam attack changes the terrorism matrix in the region and thus shows the urgency and seriousness of the government to mount an offensive.