he Pahalgam terror attack refers to a tragic incident that occurred on July 20, 1995, in Pahalgam, a popular tourist destination in Jammu and Kashmir, India.
Key Details of the Attack:
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Perpetrators: The attack was carried out by militants believed to be associated with Harkat-ul-Ansar (a Pakistan-based terrorist group, later renamed Harkat-ul-Mujahideen).
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Target: The militants attacked a group of tourists, including foreign nationals, near the Lidderwat area in Pahalgam.
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Casualties:
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6 foreign tourists (mostly from the US and the UK) were kidnapped.
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1 civilian (a Kashmiri) was killed during the abduction.
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Aftermath:
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The hostages were held captive for weeks in remote areas of Kashmir.
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One hostage, Hans Christian Ostro (a Norwegian), was brutally beheaded by the militants.
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The remaining hostages were eventually released after negotiations, allegedly involving concessions from the Indian government.
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Significance:
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The attack was part of a larger pattern of terrorism in Kashmir during the 1990s, aimed at destabilizing tourism and targeting foreigners to draw international attention.
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It led to a sharp decline in tourism in Kashmir for years.
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The incident highlighted the extreme brutality of militant groups operating in the region.
Response:
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The Indian government condemned the attack and intensified counter-terrorism operations.
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The US and UK governments issued travel advisories for Kashmir.
This attack remains one of the most notorious acts of terrorism in Kashmir’s troubled history. Would you like more details on any specific aspect?
