Social media is in a frenzy following the attack on tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir, as thousands fear potential retaliations against the region and wider Muslim populations in India.
At least 26 tourists were killed and 13 others injured after gunmen opened fire on a group of tourists in Pahalgam in Indian-administered Kashmir on Tuesday, according to Indian police.
The attack took place in a meadow a few kilometres from central Pahalgam, a tourist destination that lies about 90km from Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir.
Indian government officials said that Italian and Israeli tourists were also killed in the attack that was carried out using automatic rifles and small arms, Indian newspaper The Hindu reported.
One picture of a tourist next to the body of a loved one who was killed in the attack has been posted by social media users across all platforms.
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What a terrible day this has been #kashmir #pahalgam pic.twitter.com/5Pqo6HHhyB
— Jehangir Ali (@Gaamuk) April 22, 2025
In addition to footage of those who were killed or injured being circulated online, content showing local Kashmiris protecting the tourists is also being heavily shared.
One Kashmiri man, Adil Hussain Shah, was reportedly killed while trying to disarm one of the gunmen.
The chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Omar Abdullah, visited Shah’s family to pay his condolences.
“Visited Pahalgam today to offer Fatiha for brave heart Syed Adil Hussain Shah, who was shot dead while trying to snatch a weapon from one of the terrorists in a courageous attempt to protect the tourists he had ferried on horseback from the parking area to Baisaran meadow,” Abdullah wrote in a post on X.
“Met his grieving family and assured them of full support—Adil was the sole breadwinner, and his extraordinary bravery and sacrifice will forever be remembered.”
One video shows a Kashmiri man carrying a child on his back during the attack.
A local Kashmiri put his life on the line to save tourists from terrorists and still, some people shamelessly spew hate against his entire community.#PahalgamTerroristAttack pic.twitter.com/hCS4ity11W
— هارون خان (@iamharunkhan) April 23, 2025
As the attack has been receiving continuous media coverage and attention from international leaders, people online are highlighting the long history of what many call the Indian “occupation” of the area that has led to this moment.
The mountainous region has been disputed since the partition of India and Pakistan in 1947, with India claiming the region as “integral” to its sovereignty and Pakistan calling for a plebiscite, including in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, to give Kashmiris the right to self-determination.
Both countries accuse the other of occupying the region. Since the attack, India has downgraded ties with Pakistan and suspended the Indus Waters Treaty. There is no evidence that the attackers have links with Pakistan.
Kashmir is often dubbed “the world’s most militarised zone” because of the outsized presence of Indian paramilitary forces in the region.
Reminder that Kashmir is occupied, that it is the world’s most militarized region & since 2019, the abrogation of Kashmir’s special & semi-autonomous status, the Indian govt has been pushing the Hinduization/Indianization of the region (including via settlers & tourism).… https://t.co/w1NYqaxTNX
— Sana Saeed (@SanaSaeed) April 23, 2025
Reactions to the attack – with some posts calling for an “Israel-like solution” to Kashmir – have led many social media users to draw parallels between Israel and India, as well as to the reactions that followed the Hamas-led attack on 7 October and Tuesday’s attack in Pahalgam.
“Israel’s tactics have become the blueprint for every fascist occupier in the world. I am terrified of what is about to happen in the next few days,” a Kashmiri social media user posted on X.
The parallels between Palestine and Kashmir is uncanny that you’ll know exactly why the Indian right wing was pro Israel all along.
— Venba (@paapabutterfly) April 23, 2025
“The calls for an “Israel-like solution” in Kashmir are spiraling. Talk show hosts demand revenge. On Republic TV, Arnab Goswami says, ‘There needs to be a final solution.’ When genocidal language becomes primetime rhetoric, it’s not just incitement—it’s infrastructure for mass violence,” writer Suchitra Vijayan wrote in a post on X.
Journalist Azad Essa also highlighted the lack of context featured in coverage of the attack, similar to the coverage of Gaza after 7 October, which led to the commonly used phrase: “It didn’t begin on 7 October”.
“For the media/political establishment, the history of Kashmir will now conveniently begin on April 22,” journalist Azad Essa posted on X.
One post on X showed Kashmiris protesting the media’s coverage of the incident, characterising it as trying to sow division between Muslims and other communities in India, instead of holding the government accountable.
One user on X showed a clip from Asian News International, an Indian news outlet, that appeared to mute its broadcast of victims’ families asking critical questions of India’s Home Minister Amit Shah.
ANI muted the audio of the families of the victim soon as they began asking questions & accountability from Amit Shah.
The worst thing you can do is to censor the voice of a grieving family just to protect the image of your masters.
One word for ANI? 🤢 pic.twitter.com/0GzrNHYPKQ
— Roshan Rai (@RoshanKrRaii) April 23, 2025
In addition to contextualising the attack, many have expressed fear for what may come to Kashmiris as “retaliation”.
In a post on X, journalist Ahmer Khan said there were already “distressing calls” from Kashmiri students studying in India who were reportedly forced to vacate by their landlords due to “security concerns”.
“Some have already left under pressure,” he wrote.
It’s basic common sense but in today’s India, this needs to be said out loud—Kashmiris and Muslims living across India have absolutely nothing to do with the terrorist attack in Pahalgam. As a society, we must ensure that they are not harassed in the name of “retaliation”.
— Siddharth (@DearthOfSid) April 22, 2025
“Gotta think about the Kashmiri students and businessmen outside Kashmir who have nothing to do with this terrorist attack but who will be attacked now ‘in retaliation’ all across India by hate filled zombies,” one social media user wrote.
#Muslims #fear #potential #Israellike #retaliation #Kashmir #attack
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