On Tuesday, 22nd April, terrorists murdered 26 people in Pahalgam, a popular tourist resort in the Anantnag region of Indian-administered Kashmir. The deadly attack was directed at innocent vacationers holidaying in the area. All 26 victims were male. Seventeen others were wounded.
According to police, at about 2.45 pm, armed men opened fire on a group of tourists at the picturesque Baisaran meadow, an area known as ‘little Switzerland’ and accessible only on foot or horseback. As a volley of shots rang out, people fled, trying to escape being gunned down.
Police accused rebels of masterminding the attack. A little-known terrorist group, The Resistance Front, has claimed responsibility for the attack to protest the ‘outsiders’ who have settled the area. The attack has sparked fears of escalating tensions between India and Pakistan.
India pledged a swift response to identify and punish the assailants in what’s been called an ‘Act of War.’ India has accused Pakistan of stoking violence in Kashmir, a Muslim-majority region. The Indian Foreign Ministry has cancelled visa exemptions for Pakistani nationals under the SAARC programme and requires them to leave in 48 hours.
The attack drew international condemnation and triggered outrage from Indian Americans across the diaspora.
In the Bay Area, a solemn candlelight vigil was held at UC Berkeley to mourn the victims of the massacre.
According to CoHna, this was a religiously motivated incident, as men were deliberately singled out and killed after the terrorists verified their Hindu identity.
The Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) unequivocally condemned the terrorist action in Pahalgam.
“The World cannot idly stand by each time terrorists take actions and nations must unite and take joint actions against terrorists and those that harbor them,’ said Prakash Shah, President of GOPIO International. “That is the only way to end Terrorism,” Shah added.
“We in the GOPIO are reaffirming our solidarity and resolve in the fight against terrorism in all its forms and wherever it occurs, and the Indian Diaspora will remain united with Govt of India’s efforts to combat terrorism,” said GOPIO Chairman Dr. Thomas Abraham.
Hindus for Human Rights responded to the Pahalgam attack with a call for peace, accountability, and protection of civil liberties, adding it was ‘heartbroken’ over the deaths of the victims. They urged the community to stand together at a time of darkness. “History has shown us time and time again how quickly grief can be manipulated into hatred. We urge our communities to reject this pattern, as well as calls for retaliation, particularly those against Pakistan or our Muslim neighbors.”
Indian American lawmakers shared their condemnation of the attacks on X.
California lawmaker Ro Khanna posted, “I strongly condemn the horrific terrorist attack in Pahalgam, India. The gunman killed at least two dozen tourists at this beautiful sightseeing town. I stand with the people of India at this moment, and offer condolences and prayers to the families of the victims.GOPIO extends deepest condolences to the victims of terrorist attacks and their families.”
Congressman Shri Thanedar tweeted, “My heart goes out to the victims of today’s terrorist attack in India’s Kashmir. I wish the injured a quick recovery, and my deepest sympathy goes out to the victims and their families.”
Rep. Ami Bera wrote in a post, “I am greatly disturbed by the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir that killed at least 20 civilians and injured dozens more. My thoughts are with the victims and all those impacted by this horrific event.”
U.S. Vice President JD Vance, who is on a four-day visit to India with his wife Usha and three children, offered his condolences on X, writing, “Usha and I extend our condolences to the victims of the devastating terrorist attack in Pahalgam, India. Over the past few days, we have been overcome with the beauty of this country and its people. Our thoughts and prayers are with them as they mourn this horrific attack.”
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