- By Ajeet Kumar
- Wed, 23 Apr 2025 02:40 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
India has again witnessed a deadly and "cowardly" terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam region, where 26 innocent civilians were killed brutally in broad daylight. The incident occurred on Tuesday, at around 3 pm when tourists were making memories with their families. According to multiple witnesses, the attackers targeted the families with AK-47 rifles. Some of the tourists who were killed, got married months ago, some even a few days ago. They came to Jammu and Kashmir for honeymoon.
Unfortunately, the day turned out to be a nightmare. Notably, this has been one of the biggest terror attacks after the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019.
Notably, the attack came at a time when US Vice President JD Vance was in India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi was in Saudi Arabia. Although the Prime Minister cut short his visit, Vance is still in the country.
2000 Chittisinghpura massacre
This was not the first time when terrorists used such time to attack India. A similar incident was also reported in March 2000 when US President Bill Clinton was about visit to India. Terrorists had killed 36 Sikh villagers in Chittisinghpora, Anantnag. They chose night as the perfect time to target civilians. According to media reports, there was no electricity in the village and people were listning news of Clinton's visit. At that time, Pakistani-based terrorist groups acknowledged the attack.
Similarly, when US Assistant Secretary of State Christina Rocca was in India in 2002, terrorists attacked a bus near Kaluchak in Jammu. Subsequently, they entered an Army family housing area and killed at least 23 people.
In the same pattern, terrorists targeted innocent tourists in Jammu and Kashmir. Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah reacted strongly to the incident and said "Bharat will not bend" and assured justice to the victim's family.
Pakistan denies involvement
Hours after the deadly terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam, Pakistan "distanced" itself from the incident and said "it has no connection with the terrorist attack on tourists". Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said, while speaking to a Pakistani media, Live 92 news channel, blamed India for sponsoring unrest within the neighbouring country.
Pakistan has no connection: Khawaja
"Pakistan has no connection with this. This is all home-grown, there are revolutions in different so-called states against India, not one, not two, but dozens, from Nagaland to Kashmir, in the south, in Chattisgarh, in Manipur. In all these places, there are revolutions against the Indian government," Asif told the Pakistani media. However, there was no official word from the Indian government regarding Pakistan's connection in the Pahalgam terror attack.
Pakistan Army chief controversial statement
Earlier last week, Pakistan Army chief General Asim Munir called Kashmir Pakistan’s "jugular vein" and narrated a controversial theory of partition. Speaking at the Overseas Pakistanis Convention in Islamabad, the Army chief stressed Pakistan’s creation was based on the "two-nation theory" and urged families to teach their kids about it. "Tell your children Pakistan’s story so they never forget," Munir said.
He explained that Pakistan was formed in 1947 because "our forefathers saw we were different from Hindus in religion, customs, traditions, thoughts, and goals. That’s why we are two separate nations, not one." He praised the sacrifices made to create Pakistan and promised to protect it.
It was our jugular win: Pakistani army chief on Kashmir
Further, the Pakistani Army chief asserted an anti-Kashmir stance during the event and said, "My stance on Kashmir is absolutely clear (clear)...It was our jugular win (VEIN) ..it is our jugular win (VEIN)...we will not forget it and we will not leave our Kashmiri brethren in their heroic struggle...what they are waging against the Indian occupation..." His comments came after India criticised Pakistan for bringing up the Kashmir issue at a UN meeting. India also demanded Pakistan leave the parts of Jammu and Kashmir it occupies.