Reactions to the 2025 Pahalgam attack
On 22 April 2025, a terrorist attack at Baisaran Valley near Pahalgam in the Anantnag district of Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir killed at least 26 tourists and injured more than 20 others. Reactions to the invasion have varied considerably, with the international community generally offering condolences for the victims of the attack.
Indian authorities accused Pakistan's government of complicity with Pakistan-based groups which conducted the attack, and vowed to destroy all elements associated with the terrorists.
The attack drew immediate widespread condemnation from political leaders. Indian president Droupadi Murmu called it a "dastardly and inhuman act." Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar called the act "reprehensible" and condemned it.
Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Omar Abdullah described the incident as "much larger than anything we've seen directed at civilians in recent years." Defence Minister Rajnath Singh labeled it an "act of cowardice." India blamed Pakistan-based groups, suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, expelled Pakistani diplomats, and closed major border crossings like the Attari-Wagah crossing.
Pakistan
expressed condolences to the families of the victims, and its defence minister Khawaja Asif dismissed the allegations of his country's involvement in the attack and regarded such events as revolutions. However, in an interview with the Sky News, while responding to allegations of terrorism, minister Asif said that Pakistan engaged in terrorist activities on the direction of US, Britain and the West since 3 decades. Pakistan accused India of politicizing the incident, and retaliated by suspending the Simla Agreement and closing its airspace to Indian flights. It warned that interference with the Indus Treaty would be treated as an act of war.
On 24 April, Pakistan suspended visas issued to Indian nationals and closed its airspace to Indian aircraft, expelled Indian diplomats and instructed Indian military advisers to depart the country no later than the 30 April. However, the Kartarpur Corridor remained open for Sikh pilgrims. Pakistan also cut off all trade with India. Pakistan also suspended the Simla Agreement, on 24 April 2025 in retaliation. The Attari-Wagah border ceremony was also reduced and the symbolic handshake did not take place.
On 26 April, former Pakistani Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari issued a statement regarding India's suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, declaring: "Either water will flow in this Indus, or their blood will."
Pakistani railways minister Hanif Abbasi has threatened a full-scale nuclear war against India. He also threatened to launch the nuclear warheads named Ghori & Ghaznavi (named after 2 prominent Muslim conquerors of India - Muhammad of Ghor & Mahmud Sabuktegin respectively, despised by Hindus for their religiously motivated campaigns.)
International
* : The Foreign Ministry of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan issued a statement that "categorically condemns" the attack, offered condolences to the victims, and said that "such incidents undermine efforts to ensure regional security and stability".
* : Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan offered his condolences.
* : Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the attack as an "act of senseless violence" and called for the perpetrators to be held accountable.
* : Interim Government Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus expressed his condolences for the victims and reaffirmed Bangladesh's stance against terrorism.
* : Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay condemned the attack as a "horrific terrorist attack" and conveyed his condolences.
* : Prime Minister Mark Carney condemned the attack as "a senseless and shocking act of violence," and offered his condolences.
* : The Foreign Ministry offered its "sincere sympathies" to the families of the victims. Additionally, Chinese Ambassador to India Xu Feihong condemned the attack on social media.
* : The Cypriot Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its condolences and condemned the attack.
* : Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen expressed its condolences and condemned the attack.
* : Foreign Minister of Foreign Affairs Margus Tsahkna offered his condolences and condemned the attack.
* : Chancellor Olaf Scholz strongly condemned the attack and offered his condolences to the victims.
* : Indonesian Foreign Ministry expressed “strongest condemnations” for the attack on civilians, while also tweeted condolences to the victims and injured of the attacks.
* : The Foreign Ministry issued a statement calling the attack a "heinous terrorist crime" that "contradicts all human rights norms." The Government of Iran extended condolences to the people and the Government of India. On April 25, Iran proposed to mediate a solution aiming at de-escalation between Pakistan and India.
* : Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the attack and extended condolences to the victims and their families. Ambassador of Israel to India Reuven Azar also issued condolences and stated "our support is for the security forces in their struggle against terror".
* : Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed sorrow over the attack, conveying condolences via social media. She stated that Italy sends its sympathies to the affected families, the injured, the Indian government, and the people of India.
* : Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba offered his condolences and condemned the attack by stating "terrorism cannot be justified for any reason".
* : President Mohamed Muizzu expressed his condolences and sympathy and condemned the attack.
* : Prime Minister K. P. Sharma Oli expressed solidarity with India. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the attack as a "barbaric terrorist act" and extended condolences to the victims' families, reaffirming its position against terrorism in all forms.
* : Pakistan's Foreign Ministry expressed condolences to the families of the victims and wished a speedy recovery to the injured.
* : President Mahmoud Abbas "strongly condemned" the attack, stating it as a "heinous act" that resulted in the loss of many civilian lives. In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Abbas conveyed Palestine's support for India's security and stability, stating, "We pray for mercy and peace for the departed, a swift recovery for the injured, and continued prosperity and well-being for India and its people."
* : President Vladimir Putin condemned the attack in Kashmir, stating that "this brutal crime has no justification whatsoever." A subsequent statement from the Kremlin reaffirmed Russia's commitment to cooperate with India in combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, and extended sympathies to all those affected. On 23 April 2025, Russia issued a travel advisory, warning its citizens against traveling to Pakistan following the Pahalgam attack in Jammu and Kashmir. The advisory cited increased security risks in the region. The United Kingdom also issued a similar warning around the same time.
* : Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman "strongly condemned" the attack. He reaffirmed Saudi Arabia's solidarity with India during this time of grief, emphasizing support for the country and its people.
* : The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the country condemned the attack.
* : The South African government condemned the attack and offered condolences to victims.
* : The Foreign Ministry condemned the "heinous terrorist attack" and offered condolences. It also reiterated its commitment to regional peace and security.
* : The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement strongly condemning the attack and expressed condolences to the government and people of India, as did the ambassador.
* : Prime Minister Keir Starmer offered his condolences.
Media coverage
National media
India's pro government right-wing media outlets have reportedly indulged in propagating Islamophobic narratives while covering this event, linking it to previous communal tensions like the Nagpur riots & Murshidabad riots. Arnab Goswami demanded a 'Final Solution' like treatment of Pakistanis & Indian Muslims as revenge of this incident on live air.
International media
The Hindu American Foundation has accused several Western media outlets like BBC, New York Times, Washington Post, CNN & Reuters of whitewashing the incident by gaslighting the religious targeting of civilians & refusal to refer the perpetrators as 'terrorists', instead calling them as 'gunmen' and doing propaganda work for Pakistan by overemphasizing Pakistan's denial of financing anti-Indian terrorist activities & portraying the Indian stance as warmongering due to political correctness. The New York Times, which has a reputation of fostering anti-Indian sentiments, was criticised by the US Foreign Affairs Committee for its refusal to acknowledge the incident as a terrorist activity. Dicussing the Western coverage of the incident, the states
Indian authorities accused Pakistan's government of complicity with Pakistan-based groups which conducted the attack, and vowed to destroy all elements associated with the terrorists.
The attack drew immediate widespread condemnation from political leaders. Indian president Droupadi Murmu called it a "dastardly and inhuman act." Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar called the act "reprehensible" and condemned it.
Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Omar Abdullah described the incident as "much larger than anything we've seen directed at civilians in recent years." Defence Minister Rajnath Singh labeled it an "act of cowardice." India blamed Pakistan-based groups, suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, expelled Pakistani diplomats, and closed major border crossings like the Attari-Wagah crossing.
Pakistan
expressed condolences to the families of the victims, and its defence minister Khawaja Asif dismissed the allegations of his country's involvement in the attack and regarded such events as revolutions. However, in an interview with the Sky News, while responding to allegations of terrorism, minister Asif said that Pakistan engaged in terrorist activities on the direction of US, Britain and the West since 3 decades. Pakistan accused India of politicizing the incident, and retaliated by suspending the Simla Agreement and closing its airspace to Indian flights. It warned that interference with the Indus Treaty would be treated as an act of war.
On 24 April, Pakistan suspended visas issued to Indian nationals and closed its airspace to Indian aircraft, expelled Indian diplomats and instructed Indian military advisers to depart the country no later than the 30 April. However, the Kartarpur Corridor remained open for Sikh pilgrims. Pakistan also cut off all trade with India. Pakistan also suspended the Simla Agreement, on 24 April 2025 in retaliation. The Attari-Wagah border ceremony was also reduced and the symbolic handshake did not take place.
On 26 April, former Pakistani Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari issued a statement regarding India's suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, declaring: "Either water will flow in this Indus, or their blood will."
Pakistani railways minister Hanif Abbasi has threatened a full-scale nuclear war against India. He also threatened to launch the nuclear warheads named Ghori & Ghaznavi (named after 2 prominent Muslim conquerors of India - Muhammad of Ghor & Mahmud Sabuktegin respectively, despised by Hindus for their religiously motivated campaigns.)
International
* : The Foreign Ministry of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan issued a statement that "categorically condemns" the attack, offered condolences to the victims, and said that "such incidents undermine efforts to ensure regional security and stability".
* : Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan offered his condolences.
* : Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the attack as an "act of senseless violence" and called for the perpetrators to be held accountable.
* : Interim Government Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus expressed his condolences for the victims and reaffirmed Bangladesh's stance against terrorism.
* : Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay condemned the attack as a "horrific terrorist attack" and conveyed his condolences.
* : Prime Minister Mark Carney condemned the attack as "a senseless and shocking act of violence," and offered his condolences.
* : The Foreign Ministry offered its "sincere sympathies" to the families of the victims. Additionally, Chinese Ambassador to India Xu Feihong condemned the attack on social media.
* : The Cypriot Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its condolences and condemned the attack.
* : Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen expressed its condolences and condemned the attack.
* : Foreign Minister of Foreign Affairs Margus Tsahkna offered his condolences and condemned the attack.
* : Chancellor Olaf Scholz strongly condemned the attack and offered his condolences to the victims.
* : Indonesian Foreign Ministry expressed “strongest condemnations” for the attack on civilians, while also tweeted condolences to the victims and injured of the attacks.
* : The Foreign Ministry issued a statement calling the attack a "heinous terrorist crime" that "contradicts all human rights norms." The Government of Iran extended condolences to the people and the Government of India. On April 25, Iran proposed to mediate a solution aiming at de-escalation between Pakistan and India.
* : Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the attack and extended condolences to the victims and their families. Ambassador of Israel to India Reuven Azar also issued condolences and stated "our support is for the security forces in their struggle against terror".
* : Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed sorrow over the attack, conveying condolences via social media. She stated that Italy sends its sympathies to the affected families, the injured, the Indian government, and the people of India.
* : Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba offered his condolences and condemned the attack by stating "terrorism cannot be justified for any reason".
* : President Mohamed Muizzu expressed his condolences and sympathy and condemned the attack.
* : Prime Minister K. P. Sharma Oli expressed solidarity with India. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the attack as a "barbaric terrorist act" and extended condolences to the victims' families, reaffirming its position against terrorism in all forms.
* : Pakistan's Foreign Ministry expressed condolences to the families of the victims and wished a speedy recovery to the injured.
* : President Mahmoud Abbas "strongly condemned" the attack, stating it as a "heinous act" that resulted in the loss of many civilian lives. In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Abbas conveyed Palestine's support for India's security and stability, stating, "We pray for mercy and peace for the departed, a swift recovery for the injured, and continued prosperity and well-being for India and its people."
* : President Vladimir Putin condemned the attack in Kashmir, stating that "this brutal crime has no justification whatsoever." A subsequent statement from the Kremlin reaffirmed Russia's commitment to cooperate with India in combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, and extended sympathies to all those affected. On 23 April 2025, Russia issued a travel advisory, warning its citizens against traveling to Pakistan following the Pahalgam attack in Jammu and Kashmir. The advisory cited increased security risks in the region. The United Kingdom also issued a similar warning around the same time.
* : Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman "strongly condemned" the attack. He reaffirmed Saudi Arabia's solidarity with India during this time of grief, emphasizing support for the country and its people.
* : The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the country condemned the attack.
* : The South African government condemned the attack and offered condolences to victims.
* : The Foreign Ministry condemned the "heinous terrorist attack" and offered condolences. It also reiterated its commitment to regional peace and security.
* : The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement strongly condemning the attack and expressed condolences to the government and people of India, as did the ambassador.
* : Prime Minister Keir Starmer offered his condolences.
Media coverage
National media
India's pro government right-wing media outlets have reportedly indulged in propagating Islamophobic narratives while covering this event, linking it to previous communal tensions like the Nagpur riots & Murshidabad riots. Arnab Goswami demanded a 'Final Solution' like treatment of Pakistanis & Indian Muslims as revenge of this incident on live air.
International media
The Hindu American Foundation has accused several Western media outlets like BBC, New York Times, Washington Post, CNN & Reuters of whitewashing the incident by gaslighting the religious targeting of civilians & refusal to refer the perpetrators as 'terrorists', instead calling them as 'gunmen' and doing propaganda work for Pakistan by overemphasizing Pakistan's denial of financing anti-Indian terrorist activities & portraying the Indian stance as warmongering due to political correctness. The New York Times, which has a reputation of fostering anti-Indian sentiments, was criticised by the US Foreign Affairs Committee for its refusal to acknowledge the incident as a terrorist activity. Dicussing the Western coverage of the incident, the states
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