India vows to bring perpetrators behind Pahalgam terror attack to justice

Srinagar/New Delhi: The Government of India on Wednesday declared that it would bring perpetrators behind the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam to justice while downgrading diplomatic ties with Pakistan. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is likely to chair an all-party meeting called by the centre on Thursday. Home Minister Amit Shah and Singh are speaking to leaders of various parties on the issue, the sources said.

Several opposition parties, including the Congress, had demanded that the government should convene a meeting of all parties over the issue.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday declared that the Central government would launch a multi-pronged’ crackdown on the Pahalgam attackers and their terror networks that operated from behind and said that they would see India’s 'strong retaliation' very soon. 

The Defence Minister said that the perpetrators of ghastly terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam will not only be punished but their ‘handlers’ will also face the heat.

Speaking at the Arjan Singh Memorial lecture ceremony in the capital, Rajnath Singh said: “We won’t only punish the monsters who carried out this act of brutality and barbarianism in Pahalgam but will also go after those who operated from behind and conspired to unleash horror on the Indian soil. Those behind the ghastly terror attacks and their handlers will face severe retribution very soon, I want to assure this to countrymen,” he told the gathering.

Further, highlighting India’s tough stance on terror, he said that every citizen of the country has been angered and outraged by this cowardly act in South Kashmir.

He further said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government will take all ‘necessary and appropriate’ steps to bring the perpetrators of this heinous crime to justice.Security agencies on Wednesday released a photo and sketches of individuals suspected to be involved in the terror attack near Pahalgam, south Kashmir, that killed 26 people — mostly tourists — including a Navy officer and a visitor from Kerala.

Three of the suspects have been identified as Asif Fauji, Suleman Shah and Abu Talha, believed to be operatives of The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy of the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba. Security forces said five to six militants, wearing camouflage and kurta-pyjamas, emerged from the pine forests around Baisaran meadow and opened fire with AK-47s. The attackers are believed to include Pakistani nationals who infiltrated the Valley days earlier. Intelligence agencies have named Saifullah Kasuri alias Khalid, a senior LeT commander, as the mastermind behind the attack.

Meanwhile, Pakistan offered condolences but denied any role. “We are concerned at the loss of tourists’ lives in Anantnag district. We extend our condolences to the bereaved and wish the injured a speedy recovery,” a Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson said.

Infiltration attempt foiled at LoC
In a related development, two terrorists were killed on Wednesday as security forces foiled an infiltration attempt along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir’s Baramulla district. "On 23 Apr 2025, approximately 2-3 UI terrorists tried to infiltrate through general area Sarjeevan at Uri Nala, Baramulla (in north Kashmir)," the Chinar Corps said in a post on X.

The troops on the LoC challenged and intercepted the infiltrators, resulting in a "heavy" firefight, the army said.

The incident came as the country continued to reel from the shock of the Pahalgam massacre, which also claimed the lives of a Navy officer and a tourist from Kerala. Several others sustained injuries in the assault.

Amit Shah in Baisaran meadow
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who the Prime Minister briefed, visited Baisaran meadow — the site of the attack — to assess the situation first-hand. Speaking from Srinagar, Shah vowed strict action against those responsible. “We will come down heavily on the perpetrators with the harshest consequences,” he said.

The Pahalgam assault is being described as the most devastating civilian attack in Kashmir since the 2019 Pulwama bombing, in which 47 CRPF personnel were killed. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah called it “larger than anything we’ve seen directed at civilians in recent years”.

The shooting occurred around 3 pm on Tuesday, when unidentified gunmen opened fire on a crowd of tourists at the popular Baisaran meadow—also known as 'mini Switzerland'. The area was bustling with visitors enjoying pony rides and picnics when chaos erupted.

Eyewitnesses spoke of panic and confusion as gunfire rang out across the meadow. “My husband was shot in the head. Seven others were injured,” said a survivor. Unverified visuals showed bodies lying on the grass and women crying in distress.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the attack, calling it a “heinous act”, and pledged that justice would be served. “Those behind this will not be spared. Our fight against terrorism is unshakable,” he posted on X.

In a statement, the Army's Chinar Corps termed the incident “a cowardly and heart-wrenching act of violence”. The Corps added that Joint Forces were managing the situation and had swiftly launched medical aid and evacuation efforts.

Helicopters were deployed to evacuate the injured, while locals helped transport victims on ponies from the remote meadow. A doctor at the Pahalgam hospital confirmed that 12 injured tourists had been admitted and were in stable condition.

The attack comes at a time when Kashmir is witnessing a revival in tourism after years of insurgency. It also heightens security concerns ahead of the annual 38-day Amarnath Yatra, set to begin on July 3, which draws lakhs of pilgrims via the Pahalgam and Baltal routes.