Indian security forces personnel escort an ambulance carrying the bodies of tourists who were killed in a suspected militant attack near Pahalgam, outside the police control room in Srinagar April 23, 2025. / Reuters/Stringer

Various Indian diaspora organizations have issued strong statements denouncing the Apr.22 terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Baisaran Valley, which claimed at least 26 lives and left dozens injured.

OFBJP-USA: Attack an affront to peace and prosperity

The Overseas Friends of BJP-USA (OFBJP-USA) strongly condemned the attack, calling it a "heinous terrorist attack on innocent tourists" and attributing it to the banned Pakistan-based group Lashkar-e-Taiba. OFBJP said the attack undermines Kashmir’s recent revival in tourism and economic growth under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership.

OFBJP president Dr. Adapa Prasad said, “We are deeply concerned by the persistent cross-border sponsorship of terrorism... Reports of the deliberate targeting of specific communities, including Hindus, highlight a sinister agenda.”

Dr. Vasudev Patel, general secretary of OFBJP-USA, added, “Such acts of terror serve no cause and only inflict suffering and grief. We call for swift justice.”

VHPA: “Not just an attack—A war”

The Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America (VHPA) condemned what it termed a "targeted massacre of Hindus." General Secretary Amitabh Mittal referenced past global terror attacks, saying, “We vowed to remember — yet time and again, we forget.”

Shyam Tiwari, VHPA vice president, called it a “full-fledged war against the Indian state.” VHPA president Tejal Shah said, “Every individual was killed because one was Hindu... humanity cries out loud for justice.”

VHPA urged a strong state response and reiterated support for the victims and their families.

HAHRI: “Time to sanction Pakistan”

The Hindus Advancing Human Rights Initiative (HAHRI), affiliated with HinduPACT, described the attack as a "brutal terrorist assault" driven by religious hatred. Referring to survivor accounts, HAHRI said attackers asked about the victims’ religion before opening fire.

Ajay Shah, HinduPACT founder, said the attack came amid major diplomatic engagements, sending “a clear message from the terrorist state across India’s western border.”

HAHRI executive director Rahul Sur stated, “The world has been warned repeatedly about this Islamic fundamentalism. It must be crushed. It is time to sanction Pakistan.”

HAHRI called for international sanctions against Pakistan, its designation as a state sponsor of terrorism, and a UN-led inquiry into the persecution of minorities in Kashmir. Deepti Mahajan, co-convenor, emphasized HAHRI’s complaint to the UN regarding the ongoing persecution of Hindus, Christians, and Sikhs in Pakistan.

IAMC: Call for accountability

The Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC) also condemned the attack, calling it “barbaric and cowardly.” IAMC president Mohammed Jawad said, “We stand in unequivocal solidarity with the victims and their families, and call for accountability and justice.”

Jawad noted that the attack exposes the gap between claims of “normalcy” in Kashmir and the region’s reality under direct central rule. IAMC raised concerns about human rights abuses, mass surveillance, and the repression of Kashmiri Muslims under India’s administration since 2019.

“We call on the Indian government... to ensure that such violence does not become an excuse for collective punishment,” said Jawad.

Sikhs of America: A united stand against terrorism

Jasdip Singh Jesse, chairman of Sikhs of America, said, “This cowardly act of terror is not only an attack on the people of Kashmir but on the peace and stability of India as a whole.”

The group expressed support for Indian security forces and emphasized the need for global unity. “Terrorism in any form is unacceptable,” Singh stated, urging the international community to help dismantle terror networks.

BAPS calls the attack “brutal”

BAPS, too, strongly criticized the violence in Kashmir. In a statement, the organization wrote: “His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj and BAPS worldwide continue to pray for the innocent victims and their families, and for the recovery of the injured.”

“We also pray that in this hour of deep grief and shock, may the whole world unite to take conscious and collective action to uproot terrorism everywhere and anywhere in the world.”

GOPIO said innocent people were “wantonly murdered”

GLOBAL Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) International said that "many innocent civilians and tourists were wantonly murdered by well-armed terrorists".

“The World cannot idly stand by each time terrorists take actions and nations must unite and take joint actions against terrorists and those that harbor them,’ said Prakash Shah, President of GOPIO International. “That is the only way to end Terrorism,” Shah added.

“We in the GOPIO are reaffirming our solidarity and resolve in the fight against terrorism in all its forms and wherever it occurs, and the Indian Diaspora will remain united with Govt of India’s efforts to combat terrorism,” said GOPIO Chairman Dr. Thomas Abraham.

Call for Justice and Solidarity

Entrepreneur and community leader Yogi Chugh condemned the attack and urged collective action.
“Gut-wrenching news from Pahalgam, Kashmir. 26 lives lost, including Hindu tourists, in a brutal terror attack,” he posted. “I condemn this horrific attack. Our thoughts are with the victims’ families. U.S. and India have faced the brunt of terror attacks and must stand united against terrorism. Justice must prevail.”
 

 

Gut wrenching news from Pahalgam, Kashmir. 26 lives lost, including Hindu tourists, in a brutal terror attack. I condemn this horrific attack
Our thoughts are with the victims’ families. U.S. and India have faced the brunt of terror attacks and must stand united against…

— Yogi Chugh (@YogiChughSV) April 22, 2025