KEY POINTS
- On April 22, 2025, a terrorist attack in Pahalgam killed 28 tourists.
- Previous attacks, like the 2017 Amarnath bus attack, show a pattern of violence.
- Ongoing terrorism has harmed tourism, but India remains determined to fight it.
On April 22, 2025, a horrific terrorist attack took place in the picturesque Baisaran Valley near Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. The attack, carried out by The Resistance Front (TRF), an offshoot of the notorious Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), resulted in the tragic death of 28 tourists, including 26 Hindus, one Christian, and one local Muslim. The incident left several others injured. This attack, though devastating, is far from being the only one targeting tourists and pilgrims in the region over the past few decades. The history of Jammu and Kashmir is marred by repeated attacks on civilians, with many targeting those visiting the state for religious or leisure purposes.
A Pattern of Terror: Attacks on Amarnath Pilgrims
The attack on April 22, 2025, stands as a grim reminder of the persistent threat that terrorists have posed to the region’s visitors. This incident is only one of many over the years where innocent pilgrims and tourists have been targeted by militants. The region has witnessed an ongoing pattern of violence aimed at disrupting tourism and religious pilgrimages, which have been crucial to the local economy and the cultural fabric of the state.
One of the most devastating attacks occurred in 2017, when terrorists targeted a bus full of Amarnath pilgrims in Anantnag. The attack resulted in the deaths of eight people, including six women, and left 19 others injured. The attack was attributed to Lashkar-e-Taiba, highlighting how the terror group sought to strike fear into the hearts of those visiting the state. This was not the first such attack on Amarnath pilgrims. In fact, the Amarnath Yatra, one of the most significant annual pilgrimages in India, has been the target of terrorist violence multiple times. In 2000, a mass shooting took place at Pahalgam, resulting in the deaths of 32 people, including 21 Hindu pilgrims. This attack left 60 others injured, underscoring the lethal intentions behind such assaults.
The history of terror attacks on pilgrims goes back even further. In 1998, a terrorist attack at the Sheshnag campsite during the Amarnath Yatra resulted in the deaths of 20 pilgrims. Just a few years later, in 2002, a similar attack occurred at the Nunwan base camp, where three Lashkar-e-Taiba militants opened fire, killing nine people and injuring 27, including both pilgrims and security personnel. The frequency of such attacks paints a chilling picture of the threats that tourists and pilgrims have had to face in Jammu and Kashmir.
The Brutal Beheading of a Norwegian Tourist
One of the most gruesome incidents occurred in 1995 when the Al-Faran militant group, linked to Harkat-ul-Ansar, kidnapped six foreign tourists in Pahalgam. While five of the tourists were eventually released, one Norwegian tourist, Hans Christian Ostro, was beheaded after the militants’ demands were not met. This brutal murder shocked the world and highlighted the extreme dangers faced by tourists in the region.
Recent Attacks: The Ongoing Threat to Tourists and Pilgrims
More recent attacks have continued to target not only pilgrims but also local residents and tourists. In 2024, a terrorist attack on a bus carrying pilgrims from the Shiv Khori cave shrine to the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Katra resulted in nine deaths and 33 injuries. The Resistance Front, the same group responsible for the 2025 Pahalgam attack, claimed responsibility for this tragedy as well. Similarly, in 2022, a bus carrying pilgrims was attacked using a sticky bomb, killing four and injuring 24 others.
The Impact on Tourism and Local Economy
The increasing frequency and brutality of these attacks raise questions about the safety of those visiting Jammu and Kashmir. Tourists and pilgrims, who once visited the region for its natural beauty and spiritual significance, are now forced to grapple with the constant threat of violence. The tourist industry, which is vital for the region’s economy, has been severely impacted by these attacks, with many potential visitors fearing for their safety.
In contrast, the Pahalgam terror attack in 2025 is just the latest in a long line of violent assaults on innocent tourists and pilgrims in Jammu and Kashmir. From grenade attacks to shootings and bombings, these incidents have left a deep scar on the region’s history. The perpetrators, including groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba and The Resistance Front, continue to target civilians in an attempt to destabilize the region and spread fear. However, the resilience of the people and the determination of the Indian government to combat terrorism remain steadfast. It is essential for the global community to stand united against these acts of terror and work towards ensuring the safety and security of innocent lives in Jammu and Kashmir and beyond.
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