On April 22, 2025, the serene Baisaran Valley near Pahalgam, Kashmir, was shattered by a brutal terrorist attack. Five militants, armed with AK-47s and M4 carbines, targeted tourists, resulting in the deaths of 26 individuals, including 24 Indian nationals, one Nepali, and one local guide^[3]. An additional 17 people were injured in this heinous act^[4].

Eyewitnesses recounted the harrowing experience: the assailants demanded to know the religion of their victims, asking them to recite the Islamic declaration of faith, the Kalima. Those unable to comply were mercilessly shot. Men were forced to undergo humiliating checks to determine their faith before being executed.

Among the victims was Syed Adil Hussain Shah, a local Muslim pony operator who valiantly attempted to shield the tourists from harm. His bravery cost him his life.

The perpetrators, identified as members of The Resistance Front, an offshoot of the Pakistan-based terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba, claimed responsibility for this atrocity.

From the Author’s Heart

On April 22, 2025, in a beautiful place called Pahalgam in Kashmir, India, something very painful happened. 26 innocent Indian people were killed, and 17 others were hurt. The people were just enjoying their holiday, but they were attacked by Pakistani terrorists with big guns^[5].

The attackers asked people, “Are you Hindu or Muslim?” Then they told the Hindus to read the Kalima. If someone could not read it, they shot them.

One man was shot after they checked his pants to see if he was Muslim—right in front of his 15-year-old son.
Another husband was shot in front of his wife, and she became a widow in seconds.

This is not just an attack. This is a deep wound in every Indian heart. You may not have known these people, but today, we all feel their pain like family.

Soul’s Cry

My soul is crying.
How can someone ask your religion before killing you?
How can a father be killed in front of his son?
How can a husband be taken away in front of his wife?

What kind of religion teaches this?

These terrorists call themselves Muslims, but Islam never teaches to kill innocent people.
In fact, the Quran says:

“Whoever kills an innocent person, it is as if he has killed all of humanity.” — Quran 5:32

So these killers are not following Islam. They are just using the name of religion to spread hate.
They are giving a bad name to every real Muslim who believes in peace and love.

One Question to the World

Across the world, people raise their voices when innocent lives are lost — in Palestine, in Ukraine, and in so many places where injustice happens.
It is a beautiful thing. I, too, stand for peace and for every innocent life. We must always stand together against violence, no matter where it happens.

But today, I humbly ask:
Will you also raise your voice for the innocent lives lost in India?
Will you also grieve for the families shattered by this cruelty?

If we feel pain only for some and not for others,
then perhaps our compassion is incomplete.
True humanity does not pick sides based on politics, religion, or geography.

Every innocent life matters —
A Hindu life, a Muslim life, a Christian life, a human life.
The life of a child, a mother, a father, a traveler.

Pain has no religion.
Grief speaks only the language of the heart.