Tourists Asked to Recite Kalma Before 27 Killed in Religion-Based Terror Attack
Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir : In a horrific act of religiously motivated violence, terrorists executed 27 tourists in the picturesque town of Pahalgam after asking them to recite the kalma, the Islamic declaration of faith, to determine their religion. This mass killing, now being described as the Pahalgam Massacre, has shocked the nation and cast a long shadow over Kashmir’s fragile peace and vital tourism industry.
A Gruesome Massacre Based on Religious Identity
According to eyewitness reports and intelligence briefings, the terrorists specifically targeted non-Muslim tourists. Survivors said they were asked to recite the kalma—those who failed were shot. In some cases, male victims were allegedly stripped to check for circumcision, a religious marker commonly associated with Muslims in South Asia.
“We were just enjoying bhelpuri when a man pointed at my husband and said he might not be Muslim. They asked him to recite something… when he couldn’t, they shot him,” said a woman, her voice breaking, recalling the moment she lost her husband.
In another instance, a couple was asked whether they were Hindu or Muslim. Upon identifying as Hindus, they were shot at close range, sources revealed.
Also Read : Militants Attack Tourists in Pahalgam’s Baisaran Valley
April 22: A Black Day for Kashmir Tourism
The massacre occurred on April 22, 2025, in Pahalgam—a bustling tourist destination known for its scenic beauty and calm environment. Officials confirmed that 27 civilians, most of them out-of-state tourists, were killed in the attack. Many others were wounded, several critically.
Initial investigations suggest that the attack was pre-planned, with terrorists conducting reconnaissance in early April. The attackers reportedly blended into tourist crowds and launched the massacre after confirming the presence of high foot traffic.
Terror Linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba Proxy: The Resistance Front (TRF)
Responsibility for the Pahalgam massacre has been claimed by The Resistance Front (TRF), a known proxy of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). Intelligence sources suggest that the assault was not just a standalone event but may have been influenced by provocative rhetoric from Pakistani Army Chief General Asim Munir, who recently referred to Kashmir as Pakistan’s “jugular vein.”
Sources also point to LeT commanders Saifullah Kasuri (alias Khalid) and Rawalkot-based Abu Musa as likely masterminds. Just days before the massacre, Abu Musa declared in a public event, “Jihad will continue, guns will rage, and beheading will continue in Kashmir.”
No Intelligence Failure, Say Officials
Indian security agencies have pushed back against criticism, citing prior inputs indicating terrorist reconnaissance activity in the region. A senior official noted that intelligence had flagged suspicious movements near hotels and lodges in early April, suggesting the attack was long in the making.
“This wasn’t a random ambush. It was a systematic, hate-driven massacre aimed at creating fear and religious division,” said the officer.
Tourism Industry Devastated
Tourism, the economic backbone of Kashmir, now faces an uncertain future. Local business owners, who had seen a promising start to 2025 with a surge in tourist arrivals, are devastated.
“We were hopeful for a record year,” said a hotelier in Pahalgam. “Now tourists are cancelling in droves. This massacre has destroyed the confidence of both visitors and locals.”
A Unified Call for Justice and Action
The massacre has sparked widespread outrage. Politicians, citizens, and activists have called for harsh punishment for the perpetrators and greater involvement of local communities to root out radical elements.
“This is not just an attack on Hindus or tourists—it’s an attack on humanity and Kashmiriyat,” said a senior official in Srinagar. “Locals must come forward to help clean this cancer from our society, with support from the Army and the central government.”