Overview

• A first-of-its-kind terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22 targeted tourists, resulting in 26 civilian deaths and marking a grim milestone for the previously peaceful region.
• The attackers reportedly wore clothing resembling local police uniforms and specifically targeted men after questioning their religious identity, according to survivor accounts.
• The attack has brought economic devastation to the region, with tourism and film shoots—key pillars of the local economy—suspended indefinitely.
• Local residents and taxi associations have mobilized to provide free transportation for stranded tourists, highlighting community solidarity during the ongoing shutdowns.
• Prominent Bollywood and South Indian film celebrities, including Vijay Deverakonda, Allu Arjun, and Kamal Haasan, have condemned the attack, expressing grief and solidarity with the victims and their families.