Singapore voices strong support for India after 26 killed and 17 injured in Kashmir shooting
Singapore has condemned the deadly April 22 terror attack in India’s Jammu and Kashmir that left 26 civilians dead and 17 injured, declaring its solidarity with India in the global fight against terrorism.
Deadliest Civilian Attack Since 2000
Gunmen opened fire on April 22 in the Baisaran Valley of Pahalgam, a popular tourist area in Jammu and Kashmir, killing 26 civillians and injuring 17 others. It was the deadliest attack on civilians in the region since 2000. The victims included 25 Indian nationals and one person from Nepal.
In a statement on April 23, Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) strongly condemned the assault. “We stand with India in the fight against terrorism,” the MFA said, extending condolences to the victims’ families and reiterating its stance against violence targeting civilians.
Singaporeans Not Among Casualties
The MFA confirmed there were no Singaporeans reported among the casualties. Singapore’s High Commission in New Delhi is monitoring the situation closely. Consular assistance remains available through its missions in New Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai, and the MFA Duty Office.
The attack was claimed by a group calling itself Kashmir Resistance, which alleged that the victims were not regular tourists but were affiliated with Indian security services. Indian officials rejected this claim. Authorities said Kashmir Resistance operates as a front for Pakistan-based terror groups such as Lashkar-e-Taiba and Hizbul Mujahideen—both designated as terrorist organizations by several countries, including the U.S., India, and the United Nations.
India Responds Swiftly
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was on a visit to Saudi Arabia, returned early and held emergency consultations with national security and foreign affairs officials. He condemned the attack in a public statement, promising justice. “Their evil agenda will never succeed,” he posted, emphasizing India’s unshakable resolve against terrorism.
Following the attack, Indian forces launched a large-scale operation in the forests surrounding Pahalgam. Around 100 individuals with prior links to militant groups were brought in for questioning. The operation reflects heightened security tensions in a region where violence had previously subsided.
Jammu and Kashmir, a disputed territory between India and Pakistan, has seen decades of insurgency. Since India revoked its special status in 2019, tensions have resurged, especially over the resettlement of outsiders in the region. Militant rhetoric has increasingly focused on targeting these new residents.
The Pahalgam attack reinforces the volatility of South Asia’s most disputed region and the risks it poses to tourists, civilians, and regional security. For Indonesians, the tragedy underscores the persistent threat of politically motivated violence. For Singaporeans, it signals the importance of vigilance abroad and continued support for international counter-terrorism cooperation.
Sources: CNA (2025), The Straits Times (2025)
Keywords: Singapore, Jammu And Kashmir, Terror Attack, India, Pahalgam, Tourist Shooting, Kashmir Resistance
