The Baisaran Terror Attack and India’s Unyielding Resolve
I Ahmed Wani
April 22, 2025, will be etched in India’s collective memory as a day of unspeakable tragedy. The serene meadows of Baisaran, nestled in the heart of Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, known as the “Mini Switzerland” of India, turned into a valley of terror when terrorists unleashed a barbaric attack on innocent tourists. At least 26 lives, including those of an Intelligence Bureau officer, a Navy officer on his honeymoon, a businessman from Karnataka, and a tourist from Odisha, were snuffed out in a hail of bullets. The Resistance Front, a proxy of the ISI-backed Lashkar-e-Taiba, claimed responsibility, leaving behind a trail of blood, grief, and a shattered sense of security. This was not just an attack on tourists; it was an assault on Kashmir’s identity, its famed ‘mehmannawazi’ (hospitality), and the very fabric of India’s unity.
The pain is visceral, cutting deeper because it targeted those who came to Kashmir seeking solace in its breathtaking beauty. Baisaran, a meadow accessible only by foot or pony, has long been a sanctuary for families, honeymooners, and adventurers. Yesterday, it became a graveyard. Among the victims was Manjunath Rao, a respected industrialist from Shivamogga, Karnataka, whose wife, Pallavi, recounted a militant’s chilling words: “I won’t kill you, tell Modi.” Rao’s dream of visiting Kashmir ended in a pool of blood, leaving Pallavi to navigate a future without her partner. In Odisha, Priyadarshini Satpathy and her eight-year-old son are grappling with the loss of their husband and father, killed while they were on a family vacation. An IB officer from Bihar, on a Leave Travel Concession trip with his family, and a Navy officer, celebrating his new marriage, were also among the fallen. These were not just statistics; they were dreams, aspirations, and lives brutally extinguished.
The ripple effects of this tragedy extend far beyond the victims’ families. Kashmir’s tourism industry, which had seen a resurgence with lakhs of visitors flocking to Pahalgam each year, now faces an existential crisis. Abdul Waheed Wani, president of the Pony Wala Association, heroically ferried injured tourists to safety on horseback, but he now fears for his livelihood. “Tourists were in shock and started checking out from all Pahalgam hotels immediately,” he said. The shopkeepers, guides, and hoteliers who depend on tourism are staring at an uncertain future, their hopes pinned on a swift restoration of confidence in Kashmir’s safety.
The attack’s timing is particularly galling. It coincided with the presence of US Vice President JD Vance in India, a visit meant to strengthen bilateral ties. The audacity of the terrorists to strike when global eyes were on India underscores their intent to destabilize not just Kashmir but the nation’s image on the world stage. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, cutting short his Saudi trip, condemned the attack, vowing that “those behind this heinous act will be brought to justice.” US President Donald Trump, in a midnight call to Modi, pledged full support in India’s fight against terrorism, as did leaders like Russia’s Vladimir Putin and Italy’s Giorgia Meloni. Yet, the silence from Pakistan, China, and Canada speaks volumes about the geopolitical fault lines that enable such acts of terror.
Kashmir’s ‘mehmannawazi’, its legendary hospitality, has been a cornerstone of its identity. For centuries, this land has welcomed guests with open hearts, regardless of faith or origin. The terrorists, clad in camouflage and armed with M4 carbines and AK-47s, sought to shred this legacy. Survivors recounted how the attackers, believed to be foreigners, asked victims their names and demanded they recite Islamic verses before firing at close range. Such targeted brutality is a calculated attempt to sow communal discord in a region that has long prided itself on its syncretic culture. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah called the attack “larger than anything we’ve seen directed at civilians in recent years,” a grim reminder of the 2019 Pulwama strike.
The political fallout is already unfolding. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and National Conference have called for a Kashmir bandh, a mark of protest against the massacre. PDP leader Iltija Mufti described it as an “attack on our culture,” while Defence Minister Rajnath Singh expressed anguish, reaffirming India’s resolve. But amidst the grief, a dangerous narrative is emerging. Some political opportunists may soon advocate for “talks” with Pakistan, cloaking their appeasement in the guise of peace. This is a trap India must avoid. The terrorists, likely having crossed from Kishtwar with local operatives, are not interested in dialogue. They thrive on chaos, and their handlers across the border revel in India’s pain.
India’s response must be unequivocal. The surgical strikes of 2016 and the Balakot airstrike of 2019 sent a clear message: India will not tolerate terrorism. Today, the nation demands action that is swift, precise, and relentless. Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s urgent visit to Srinagar for a high-level security review is a step in the right direction, but it must be followed by concrete measures. The perpetrators, their local facilitators, and their sponsors must face the full might of India’s security apparatus. A surgical strike, if required, should not be off the table. The message must be clear: those who spill Indian blood will pay a heavy price.
The attack has also exposed the Centre’s claims of normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir. The CPI(ML) Liberation pointed out that the “normalcy narrative stands exposed,” a sentiment echoed by many Kashmiris who feel caught between the state’s assurances and the reality of violence. Security forces, constantly deployed in tourist hubs like Baisaran, were unable to prevent the attack, raising questions about intelligence failures and the need for enhanced vigilance.
As India mourns, the voices of Bollywood, from Sonu Sood to Raveena Tandon, have joined the chorus of condemnation, calling for unity against terrorism. Candlelight marches in Srinagar and protests across Kashmir reflect a collective outrage. But mourning alone is not enough. The nation must channel its grief into resolve. Air India’s decision to waive cancellation fees and add flights from Srinagar is a practical step to support affected travelers, but rebuilding Kashmir’s tourism and its spirit will take more.
The Baisaran attack is a wound on Kashmir’s soul, but it is also a clarion call for India to stand united. The terrorists sought to break the social fabric of secular Kashmir, to tarnish its hospitality, and to instill fear. They must not succeed. India must honor the memory of the fallen by ensuring justice, strengthening security, and preserving Kashmir’s identity as a land of warmth and welcome. Let the world know that India bleeds today, but it will rise stronger, resolute, and unyielding in its fight against terror. The meadows of Baisaran will bloom again, and ‘mehmannawazi’ will prevail.
