NEW DELHI: Condemning the massacre of 25 tourists and a Kashmiri local in J&K’s Pahalgam, Mohamad Kalu, a former terrorist who renounced terrorism over two decades ago has called on the government to take tough, unrelenting action against Pakistan for sponsoring cross-border terror.
The attack, among the deadliest on civilians in the Valley since the abrogation of Article 370, was carried out by terrorists dressed in Army fatigues and aligned with the ISI-backed Lashkar proxy, The Resistance Front (TRF).
Eyewitness accounts confirmed that the terrorists had checked each victim's faith by demanding Aadhaar or driving licence, ordering them to recite the kalma (Muslim prayer), and asking them to lower their trousers to check for circumcision.
Once their Hindu identities were established through these three 'tests', the terrorists shot them at close range.
In a video interview to news agency ANI, Mohamad Kalu, once an active terrorist who surrendered before the security forces over two decades ago, said he felt ashamed of his past and expressed anguish over the growing attacks on civilians.
“Terrorists are slaughtering innocent civilians without any justification. These acts are brutal, inhumane, and must be stopped immediately,” Kalu said.
“The government must send a clear message to all who aid and abet terrorism, including Pakistan. Enough is enough, I'll be the first one to fight if war erupts between India and Pakistan."
Terror attack in Pahalgam’s Baisaran meadow
The terrorists struck at approximately 1.30pm in the picturesque Baisaran meadow, located 7 km from Pahalgam, an area popular among tourists for its scenic beauty.
Surrounded by snow-capped peaks and pine forests, the meadow usually sees large numbers of visitors. Despite heavy security, including armed patrols and checkpoints, the terrorists swiftly launched the assault, killing several people and injuring many others. The victims included honeymooning Navy officer Vinay Narwal, a foreign tourist from Nepal.
Deadliest attack since Article 370 abrogation
The attack, the deadliest since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, was claimed by The Resistance Front, a proxy of the ISI-backed Lashkar-e-Taiba.
The strike came at a time of high diplomatic activity — coinciding with US Vice-President J D Vance’s visit to India and PM Modi’s arrival in Saudi Arabia. It also followed provocative remarks by Pakistan army chief Asim Munir, seen as the ideological backbone of several terrorist outfits.
Tourists identified by faith, shot at close range
Survivors recounted chilling details. Around 1.30pm, the terrorists dressed in army fatigues intercepted groups of tourists enjoying a regular afternoon. They reportedly asked their victims to identify themselves by name and recite Islamic verses before shooting at them from close range.
Trousers were pulled down
Officials who examined the bullet-riddled bodies found that trousers of around 20 male victims had been forcibly pulled down or left unzipped — a gruesome confirmation that terrorists had subjected them to a crude "faith test" before killing them. A joint team of Army, J&K Police, and local administration made the discovery during the first official examination of the bodies.
"Their pants were dislodged, underwear exposed. It was evident the terrorists had undone their clothing to establish if they were circumcised," an officer said. Shocked families had not noticed these details during last rites, as the bodies were retrieved and immediately covered. Investigators believe these details will now be included in FIRs to establish the nature of the hate crime.
India’s firm stance
The global community has overwhelmingly condemned the attack. US President Donald Trump expressed his condolences and assured India of full support. Representatives from all P5 countries, including China, have voiced strong condemnation.
India’s foreign secretary, Vikram Misri, confirmed that the country will remain resolute in bringing the perpetrators to justice, stressing that India would pursue all avenues, including military options, if necessary.
India’s pursuit of terrorists and their sponsors
The Indian government’s stance remains clear: it will relentlessly pursue those responsible for terrorist acts and their sponsors, as demonstrated by the recent extradition of Tahawwur Rana. India’s leadership continues to ensure that the perpetrators will be brought to justice, sending a strong message of zero tolerance for terrorism.
The attack, among the deadliest on civilians in the Valley since the abrogation of Article 370, was carried out by terrorists dressed in Army fatigues and aligned with the ISI-backed Lashkar proxy, The Resistance Front (TRF).
Eyewitness accounts confirmed that the terrorists had checked each victim's faith by demanding Aadhaar or driving licence, ordering them to recite the kalma (Muslim prayer), and asking them to lower their trousers to check for circumcision.
Once their Hindu identities were established through these three 'tests', the terrorists shot them at close range.
In a video interview to news agency ANI, Mohamad Kalu, once an active terrorist who surrendered before the security forces over two decades ago, said he felt ashamed of his past and expressed anguish over the growing attacks on civilians.
“Terrorists are slaughtering innocent civilians without any justification. These acts are brutal, inhumane, and must be stopped immediately,” Kalu said.
“The government must send a clear message to all who aid and abet terrorism, including Pakistan. Enough is enough, I'll be the first one to fight if war erupts between India and Pakistan."
Terror attack in Pahalgam’s Baisaran meadow
The terrorists struck at approximately 1.30pm in the picturesque Baisaran meadow, located 7 km from Pahalgam, an area popular among tourists for its scenic beauty.
Surrounded by snow-capped peaks and pine forests, the meadow usually sees large numbers of visitors. Despite heavy security, including armed patrols and checkpoints, the terrorists swiftly launched the assault, killing several people and injuring many others. The victims included honeymooning Navy officer Vinay Narwal, a foreign tourist from Nepal.
Deadliest attack since Article 370 abrogation
The attack, the deadliest since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, was claimed by The Resistance Front, a proxy of the ISI-backed Lashkar-e-Taiba.
The strike came at a time of high diplomatic activity — coinciding with US Vice-President J D Vance’s visit to India and PM Modi’s arrival in Saudi Arabia. It also followed provocative remarks by Pakistan army chief Asim Munir, seen as the ideological backbone of several terrorist outfits.
Tourists identified by faith, shot at close range
Survivors recounted chilling details. Around 1.30pm, the terrorists dressed in army fatigues intercepted groups of tourists enjoying a regular afternoon. They reportedly asked their victims to identify themselves by name and recite Islamic verses before shooting at them from close range.
Trousers were pulled down
Officials who examined the bullet-riddled bodies found that trousers of around 20 male victims had been forcibly pulled down or left unzipped — a gruesome confirmation that terrorists had subjected them to a crude "faith test" before killing them. A joint team of Army, J&K Police, and local administration made the discovery during the first official examination of the bodies.
"Their pants were dislodged, underwear exposed. It was evident the terrorists had undone their clothing to establish if they were circumcised," an officer said. Shocked families had not noticed these details during last rites, as the bodies were retrieved and immediately covered. Investigators believe these details will now be included in FIRs to establish the nature of the hate crime.
India’s firm stance
The global community has overwhelmingly condemned the attack. US President Donald Trump expressed his condolences and assured India of full support. Representatives from all P5 countries, including China, have voiced strong condemnation.
India’s foreign secretary, Vikram Misri, confirmed that the country will remain resolute in bringing the perpetrators to justice, stressing that India would pursue all avenues, including military options, if necessary.
India’s pursuit of terrorists and their sponsors
The Indian government’s stance remains clear: it will relentlessly pursue those responsible for terrorist acts and their sponsors, as demonstrated by the recent extradition of Tahawwur Rana. India’s leadership continues to ensure that the perpetrators will be brought to justice, sending a strong message of zero tolerance for terrorism.
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