The Pahalgam terror attack of April 22, 2025, which left 26 people-mostly tourists-dead in the picturesque Baisaran meadow, stands as one of the most audacious and chilling assaults in Kashmir’s recent history. As the dust settles, a clearer picture is emerging of how Pakistan-backed terrorists, aided by a network of local cadres, meticulously planned and executed the massacre and how the fallout has triggered an unprecedented security crackdown, diplomatic escalation and a climate of fear across the Valley.
Meticulous Planning, Cross-Border Infiltration and Local Support
Investigations reveal that the Pahalgam attack was not a spontaneous act of violence, but the result of months of preparation, cross-border coordination and local facilitation. Pakistani nationals Hashim Musa and Ali Bhai, along with local resident Adil Hussain Thoker, are at the center of the plot. Thoker, who was radicalized during his college years and traveled to Pakistan for training in 2018, returned to the Valley last year and became the principal architect and guide for the foreign terrorists.
The attackers’ journey into Kashmir was arduous and calculated. Musa and Ali reportedly infiltrated India via the Samba and Kathua sectors, moving stealthily through the region with the help of at least 15 local overground workers (OGWs) and terror aides. These OGWs played a pivotal role-arranging logistics, procuring arms consignments from Pakistan, providing safe passage and even supplying food and intelligence during the terrorists’ 22-hour trek from Kokernag to Pahalgam. Extensive reconnaissance of the Baisaran meadow was conducted, with the terrorists studying tourist flow, security response times, and planning escape routes. They knew, for instance, that the nearest Rashtriya Rifles unit would take 40-45 minutes to reach the roadhead, followed by another 30-35 minutes of trekking to the site-information that proved critical in maximizing casualties and evading capture.
The attack itself was executed with chilling precision. On the day, two terrorists emerged from behind shops, ordering victims to recite the Kalma before shooting four people at point-blank range. Panic ensued, and two more attackers appeared from near the zipline area, opening fire on fleeing tourists. The terrorists, armed with AK-47s and US-made M4 carbines, then vanished into the dense forests, aided by local contacts who provided timely alerts about security force movements.
Demolitions and Detentions
The aftermath of the Pahalgam massacre has seen security agencies launch one of the most extensive anti-terror crackdowns in years. Over the past 48 hours alone, the houses of six terrorists or their associates-including those of Adil Thoker in Bijbehara and Asif Sheikh in Tral-have been demolished by authorities as a stern warning to others. More than 175 suspects have been detained in Anantnag, while Srinagar Police have raided the residences of 63 known terrorist aides and OGWs, searching for weapons, documents, digital devices and evidence under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). These operations, conducted with legal oversight and in the presence of executive magistrates, are aimed at dismantling the terrorist ecosystem that enabled the attack.
The crackdown has extended across the Valley, with coordinated raids, destruction of safehouses and the detention of hundreds of terrorist sympathizers. The house of LeT commander Farooq Teedwa in Kupwara and that of Adnan Safi Dar, an active terrorist from Shopian, have also been razed. Security forces remain committed to maintaining peace and have warned that anyone found furthering the agenda of violence or disruption will face strict legal consequences.
Heightened Security, Closure of Tourist Destinations and Sleeper Cell Threats
In light of intelligence warnings about further terror attacks, the Jammu and Kashmir government has closed 48 out of 87 tourist destinations, including popular spots like Doodhpathri, Kokernag, Bangus Valley, and Tosamaidan. Communication intercepts confirm that sleeper cells have been activated post-Pahalgam attack, with instructions to initiate more targeted killings-particularly of non-local individuals, security forces and Kashmiri Pandits in Srinagar and Ganderbal. There are also warnings about potential attacks on railway infrastructure, prompting advisories for railway staff to remain within secure camps.
Anti-fidayeen squads from the Special Operations Group have been deployed to sensitive locations such as Gulmarg, Sonamarg and Dal Lake, which remain open to visitors. Security measures have been significantly ramped up across the Valley to deter further attacks.
NIA Investigation, Forensic Breakthroughs and the Hunt for Perpetrators
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has formally taken over the probe, conducting thorough on-site investigations, collecting forensic evidence and questioning survivors, local workers and overground workers linked to the attack. Digital footprints have been traced to safehouses in Muzaffarabad and Karachi, suggesting a control-room style operation reminiscent of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. Statements from survivors, including a tourist whose video footage captured images of the terrorists and an Army officer who witnessed the carnage, have become vital pieces of evidence.
Security forces have come close to cornering the attackers on several occasions, exchanging fire in the dense forests of South Kashmir, but the terrorists have managed to evade capture thanks to timely alerts from local contacts and the challenging terrain. The hunt continues, with authorities expressing confidence that the perpetrators will soon be apprehended.
Diplomatic Escalation and Ceasefire Violations
The attack has sharply escalated tensions between India and Pakistan. Islamabad has been supporting cross-border terrorism due to which India has taken a raft of punitive diplomatic measures. In response, Pakistan has violated the ceasefire for six consecutive nights, initiating unprovoked firing across the Line of Control in multiple sectors, including Baramulla, Kupwara and Jammu’s Pargwal sector. The Indian Army has responded appropriately, with Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi personally assessing the security situation and reviewing countermeasures.
National Resolve and the Path Ahead
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a high-level security review, has given the armed forces “Complete Operational Freedom” to respond to terrorism as they see fit, underlining the nation’s resolve to deliver a crushing blow to terror networks. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval have been closely monitoring the situation, as India prepares for a long-term security and diplomatic response.
The Pahalgam attack has left a deep scar on Kashmir’s psyche, triggering an exodus of tourists and a pervasive sense of insecurity. Yet, the swift and resolute response from security forces, the government’s unwavering stance and the ongoing crackdown on terror networks signal a determined effort to restore peace and stability in the Valley.
As the NIA intensifies its investigation and security agencies tighten their grip on the terror ecosystem, the message is clear: those who perpetrate and support such heinous acts will face the full force of the law and Kashmir’s march toward peace and normalcy will not be derailed by violence and fear.
