On 22 April, 2025, terrorists killed 25 Indians—24 tourists and a Kashmiri local—and 1 Nepalese tourist at Baisaran meadows in Pahalgam before fleeing the tourist spot. Eyewitness accounts indicate victims were singled out on the basis of religion, shot at close range in front of their families.
At the time of the attack, PM Modi was in Saudi Arabia on an official visit and US Vice President JD Vance was visiting India. Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) offshoot The Resistance Front (TRF) claimed responsibility for the attack.
The Cabinet Committee of Security (CCS) chaired by PM Modi met the day after the attack and in a statement highlighted a potential link to Pakistan, saying “cross-border linkages of the terrorist attack were brought out”.
No wonder Atal Rohtang tunnel and expansion of roads would now lead to fastracking of hydel projects in eco sensitive and politically sensitive regions without any public outrage or objections. Those who protest would be “anti national interest”. The spirit of “Nationalism” was once ignited by Pt. Nehru in a newly formed nation, wherein he made a public call for ‘sacrifice’ for ‘national interest’. Entire Bilaspur township in Himachal Pradesh did sacrifice and was drowned was ever under backwaters of Bhakra -Nangal! It is time tribes and people of hill sacrifice for nation building…