New Delhi:India awoke to horror and grief on Tuesday morning of Pahalgam Terror Attack as a group of heavily armed terrorists launched a premeditated assault on a tourist convoy in the picturesque valley town of Pahalgam in South Kashmir, resulting in the deaths of 26 civilians, including 25 Indian nationals and 1 Nepalese citizen.
What began as a peaceful morning in one of Jammu & Kashmir’s most visited destinations was turned into a battlefield after terrorists from the Pakistan-based group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) opened indiscriminate fire and detonated improvised explosive devices (IEDs) near a convoy of tourist vehicles around 10:47 AM IST. Eyewitness accounts described scenes of chaos and carnage as bodies lay scattered, and wounded civilians cried for help amid the smoke and debris.
PM Modi’s Strong Message: “Ghus Ke Maarenge” Doctrine Reinforced
Following the devastating Pahalgam terror attack, Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a resolute and fiery address during the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) meeting, stating unequivocally, “Yeh Bharat ka naya neeti hai — ab hum ghus ke maarenge,” meaning, “This is the new India — we will strike within enemy territory.”
He emphasized that India’s era of strategic patience was over and that acts of terror would now be met with overwhelming retaliation, not just diplomatically but militarily. Citing the 2016 surgical strikes and the 2019 Balakot airstrikes as precedents, PM Modi reiterated that any attack on Indian soil would invite direct action, even across the border, if necessary. His statement has sent a clear message globally and to Pakistan: India will not hesitate to neutralize threats at their source.
Anatomy of the Attack: How It Unfolded
According to security sources and eyewitnesses:
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The attackers, reportedly in military fatigues, set up a makeshift checkpoint at a narrow bend near Lidder Viewpoint, a secluded part of the Pahalgam-Ganeshbal road.
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Once the tourist convoy entered the zone, the terrorists lobbed grenades and opened fire with AK-47 rifles and M16 assault weapons.
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A bus carrying pilgrims from Gujarat bore the brunt of the assault. Survivors said the attackers went vehicle to vehicle firing indiscriminately.
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In total, 26 people were killed on the spot or succumbed to injuries, while over three dozen more were seriously injured, some critically.
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The injured were immediately airlifted to hospitals in Srinagar, and AIIMS Delhi, with the help of the Indian Air Force and disaster response teams.
Authorities confirmed that two of the three attackers were neutralized in a gunfight that ensued hours later. The third is believed to have escaped into nearby forest terrain, and a manhunt is ongoing, supported by drones, special forces, and thermal imaging devices.
India’s Official Response: “Enough is Enough”
In the wake of the attack, Prime Minister Narendra Modi convened a high-level emergency meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS). The tone of the government was unequivocal—“India will no longer tolerate Pakistan’s continued export of terror.”
In a press briefing, Home Minister Amit Shah, flanked by External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, announced a six-pronged national response to this “act of war.”
India’s Six-Pronged Counter-Terror Response to Pahalgam Terror Attack
1. Diplomatic Expulsion and International Isolation of Pakistan
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Pakistan’s High Commissioner in India has been summoned and expelled.
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India has withdrawn its own envoy from Islamabad, effectively downgrading diplomatic relations.
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A detailed dossier of evidence, including satellite images, intercepts, and confessional statements, will be submitted to the United Nations, FATF, and G20 leaders.
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India will lobby for Pakistan’s reclassification as a “state sponsor of terrorism”.
2. Suspension of All Bilateral Trade Activities
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Trade through the Wagah-Attari border has been completely halted.
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All LoC-based trade channels involving barter agreements with PoK have been shut down.
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The government has instructed the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) to revoke licenses for all import/export dealings involving Pakistani businesses.
3. Military Mobilization and Tactical Readiness
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The Indian Army and Border Security Forces have been placed on maximum alert across Jammu & Kashmir.
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Artillery units have been repositioned, and fighter squadrons in Pathankot and Awantipora are on standby.
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Top military leadership has been authorized to conduct “surgical precision strikes” on cross-border terror camps.
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A special operations directive codenamed “Iron Net” has been activated, targeting infiltration routes and launch pads in PoK.
4. Financial Crackdown and FATF Campaign
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India will urge the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) to blacklist Pakistan in its upcoming plenary session.
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All bank accounts and digital wallets linked to known terror operatives or sympathizers are being frozen.
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A new Counter-Financing of Terror Task Force (CFTTF) will be established within the Enforcement Directorate.
5. Intelligence and Counter-Terror Overhaul in Kashmir
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Creation of an Integrated Anti-Terror Command Centre (IATCC) combining NIA, RAW, IB, and the Indian Army.
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Deployment of 1,500 additional CRPF and NSG commandos across South Kashmir.
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Reinforcement of human intelligence networks and AI-based surveillance drones in all major districts.
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Community policing programs in villages to encourage local support and early detection of radical elements.
6. Global Anti-Terror Alliance Formation
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India plans to host a Global Counter-Terrorism Summit in New Delhi, inviting over 50 nations including the US, Israel, France, and Japan.
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The Ministry of External Affairs has dispatched envoys to key capitals with a brief on Pakistan’s involvement.
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Indian diplomats are working to pass a UN Security Council resolution to sanction Pakistan-based groups, especially LeT, JeM, and Hizbul Mujahideen.
Political Unity and Public Response
While political differences have taken a backseat, opposition parties have demanded a full investigation into security lapses, especially regarding the presence of unprotected civilian convoys in a volatile zone.
Nationwide candlelight vigils, social media campaigns, and donation drives are being organized. The families of the deceased have received state ex gratia packages, and several private citizens have called for boycotts of Pakistan-affiliated brands.
Nepal Reacts to the Loss of Its Citizen
The Nepalese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed the death of Ram Bahadur Thapa, a 52-year-old pilgrim from Pokhara. In a strong diplomatic message, Nepal has condemned the attack and offered full solidarity with India.
What Lies Ahead?
Security experts believe this could mark a paradigm shift in India’s counter-terror strategy—from reactive defense to proactive dismantling. With general elections approaching, the government’s handling of national security is under intense public scrutiny.
The international community’s reaction, Pakistan’s potential response, and India’s next military moves will all be closely watched in what could become a defining chapter in South Asia’s security dynamics.
For official confirmation and government statements on the matter, readers may refer to the Ministry of External Affairs’ official press briefing here.
