Auckland, New Zealand – 23 April 2025

The New Zealand Indian Community Association (NZICA) unequivocally condemns the horrific terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, an integral and indivisible part of India since 1947. The attack, which claimed 26 civilian lives, including tourists, and injured numerous others, is a stark reminder of the ongoing threat posed by terrorist groups operating from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and supported by Pakistan, a nation that has illegally occupied parts of Jammu and Kashmir and perpetrated atrocities and terrorism since its inception. NZICA stands in solidarity with the people of India during this hour of profound grief and anguish.

Context and Background of the Attack

On 22 April 2025, terrorists affiliated with The Resistance Front (TRF), an offshoot of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, launched a brutal assault in Baisaran meadow, approximately 5 kilometres from Pahalgam in Anantnag district. The attack, occurring around 2:30 pm, targeted unarmed civilians, including 24 Indian tourists, two local residents, and two foreign nationals (one Emirati and one Nepali), making it the deadliest assault on civilians in the Kashmir Valley since the 2019 Pulwama attack. The meadow, accessible only by foot or pony, offered little cover, leaving victims vulnerable and complicating evacuation efforts.

Jammu and Kashmir, legally part of India since the princely state’s accession in 1947, has faced relentless aggression from Pakistan, which illegally occupies a portion of the region, referred to as PoK. Pakistan’s support for terrorist groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba has fuelled violence in the region for decades, targeting civilians and security forces to destabilise India. The recent attack underscores the persistent threat posed by these groups, who exploit the porous borders of PoK to infiltrate and strike with impunity.

NZICA’s Concerns and Observations

NZICA finds it deeply troubling that while the Indian government promotes Jammu and Kashmir as a safe tourist destination, nearly half a million Kashmiri Pandits, displaced since the early 1990s due to targeted violence orchestrated by Pakistan-backed terrorists, remain unable to return to their homes. The absence of visits by Prime Minister Narendra Modi or Home Minister Amit Shah to the camps of these displaced communities signals a lack of a comprehensive rehabilitation package, particularly concerning safety. NZICA questions the logic of encouraging tourists to visit remote areas like Baisaran meadow while the security of displaced residents remains unaddressed.

This meticulously planned attack highlights the audacity of terrorist groups operating from PoK, revealing their ability to exploit vulnerabilities and target civilians to inflict maximum psychological and economic damage. By attacking tourists, a rare target in recent years, these terrorists aim to undermine the economic benefits of tourism, a vital pillar of Jammu and Kashmir’s recovery.

Global and Local Response

The attack has drawn global outrage, with leaders such as US President Donald Trump, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemning the targeting of civilians as “unacceptable.” Prime Minister Modi, cutting short a visit to Saudi Arabia, vowed swift justice, while Home Minister Shah arrived in Srinagar to oversee the response. In Jammu and Kashmir, protests erupted, with many pointing to Pakistan’s role in sponsoring terrorism, and local organisations called for a shutdown to mourn the victims.

NZICA’s Commitment to Support

NZICA extends its deepest condolences to the families of the victims and wishes a speedy recovery to those injured. The association is prepared to assist any family in New Zealand directly affected by this carnage, offering support to those who have lost loved ones or have relatives impacted. NZICA demands a thorough investigation to hold the perpetrators and their Pakistan-based sponsors accountable and urges the Indian government to bolster security measures to protect both residents and visitors while addressing the plight of displaced Kashmiri Pandits.

For further information or to offer support, please contact:

Veer Khar
President, New Zealand Indian Community Association
Mobile: +64 22 197 1916
Email: president@nzindians.org.nz

Tracey Wilson
New Zealand Bharat News

Summary: The New Zealand Indian Community Association (NZICA) strongly condemns the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on 22 April 2025, which killed 26 civilians, including tourists, and injured many others. Perpetrated by Pakistan-backed Jihadi terrorists from The Resistance Front, the attack highlights Pakistan’s ongoing role in sponsoring terrorism from illegally occupied PoK. NZICA stands with India, criticises the lack of progress in rehabilitating displaced Kashmiri Pandits, and questions the safety of tourists in remote areas. The association pledges support for affected families, demands justice, and calls for enhanced security to counter the threat posed by Pakistan-supported terrorism.