The death toll in the Pahalgam terror attack has risen to 27, with several others still critically injured, according to sources. The attack, which targeted innocent civilians and tourists, has been condemned widely by political leaders and officials alike.
The Resistance Front (TRF), a Pakistan-backed terror outfit, has claimed responsibility for the brutal assault on the tourists in the popular hill station Baisaran, widely known as &lsquo;mini Switzerland&rsquo;, in Jammu and Kashmir&rsquo;s Anantnag district.
Multiple rounds of ammunition were fired at unarmed civilians by terrorists during the attack.&nbsp;
Jammu and Kashmir&rsquo;s Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, strongly condemned the &ldquo;cowardly&rdquo; attack, assuring that those responsible would not go unpunished. In a statement on X, he said, &ldquo;Directed the district administration and the health officials to provide immediate medical attention to those admitted at Pahalgam. An injured tourist has been evacuated to GMC Anantnag. I pray for the speedy recovery of all the injured.&rdquo;
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also took to X and condoled the attack. &ldquo;Deeply anguished by the news of terrorist attack in Pahalgam (Jammu &amp; Kashmir). This dastardly attack on innocent civilians is an act of cowardice and highly reprehensible. My thoughts and prayers are with the innocent victims and their families, &rdquo; he said.
Congress MP Rahul Gandhi also condemned the attack, calling it &ldquo;extremely heartbreaking&rdquo; and &ldquo;cowardly.&rdquo; He expressed his condolences to the families of the deceased and hoped for the swift recovery of those injured. Gandhi also raised concerns about the government&rsquo;s handling of the situation, urging the administration to take concrete steps to ensure that such barbaric incidents do not occur in the future. &ldquo;Instead of making hollow claims of the situation being normal in Jammu and Kashmir, the government should now take accountability,&rdquo; said Gandhi.
As per reports, the attack occurred when two to three terrorists dressed in army fatigues opened fire on tourists. According to survivors, the terrorists inquired about the victims&rsquo; religion and opened fire after learning they were not Muslim.
The assailants fled the scene after the attack, and security forces have cordoned off the area in an effort to trace and apprehend them. The district administration has been working with health officials to ensure medical care for the injured.
This incident marks the first major terrorist attack on tourists in Kashmir in 2025, at a time when the region is experiencing a bustling tourist season, with projections of record tourist arrivals this year.
The investigation into the attack is ongoing, and authorities have assured the public that all necessary measures are being taken to maintain safety and security in the region.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has arrived in Srinagar and is expected to take stock of the situation tonight. He will travel to Pahalgam tomorrow.
What is TRF?
The Resistance Front (TRF) is a relatively new yet deadly terrorist outfit that emerged following the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019. Believed to be a proxy of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), TRF was formed to provide a &ldquo;localized face&rdquo; to the militancy in Kashmir. It consolidated militants from various organizations under its banner within six months of its formation.
In January 2023, India&rsquo;s Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) designated TRF as a terrorist organization under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), due to its role in orchestrating &ldquo;psychological operations&rdquo; through social media and inciting violence against the Indian state.
History of Violence 
TRF has gained notoriety for its attacks on tourists, minority Kashmiri Pandits, and migrant workers in the Kashmir Valley. One of its most brutal attacks occurred at a construction site in Ganderbal district, where seven people, including a Kashmiri doctor and several labourers, were killed.
Another significant incident occurred on April 1, 2020, when TRF engaged in a four-day gun battle near the Line of Control (LoC) in the Keran sector of Kupwara, resulting in the martyrdom of five Indian para commandos and the killing of five terrorists.
Notable terrorists associated with TRF include Sajid Jatt, Sajjad Gul, and Salim Rehmani&mdash;all with links to Lashkar-e-Taiba. Intelligence agencies continue to monitor TRF closely, especially in light of rising concerns over security during the Amarnath Yatra.
As investigations into the Pahalgam attack continue, political leaders and security agencies remain united in their resolve to eliminate terrorism and protect the peaceful fabric of Kashmir. <a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb34ERXCnA7lrMp57S3N" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Follow the Benefit News channel on WhatsApp</a>

One of the victims being transported after the attack

TRF claims responsibility for attack; Condolonces pour in as security forces launch massive counter-op

Pahalgam Terror Attack Death Toll Up to 27: Sources

TRF claims responsibility for attack; Condolonces pour in as security forces launch massive counter-op

April 22, 2025 | 20:21 IST