By George M.O. Williams
Freetown, Sierra Leone – May 1, 2025: A deadly terrorist attack in the Kashmir region of India has sparked international condemnation, leaving 26 civilians dead in what officials are calling a targeted massacre based on religion and ethnicity.
According to Indian officials, the attack, which occurred on April 22, was carried out by a little-known militant group calling itself the “Registrant Force.” Reports indicate that six heavily armed attackers infiltrated the area, segregated victims, and executed them at close range.
Indian High Commissioner to Sierra Leone, Baisnab Charan Pradhan, described the assault as one of the most heinous acts of terrorism in recent years. He further alleged that the perpetrators had received advanced training and logistical support from elements within the Pakistani Army, with suspected links to global extremist networks such as Al-Qaeda and Boko Haram.
“This is not just an attack on India—it is an assault on humanity,” Pradhan stated. “Terrorism anywhere is a threat everywhere, and the world must unite to confront it.”
A History of Cross-Border Terrorism
The massacre adds to a troubling pattern of terror attacks with alleged cross-border ties:
- 2001 – Terrorists stormed a state assembly, killing 38 people.
- 2003 – A New Delhi-bound flight was hijacked, with 200 passengers held hostage.
- 2008 – The Mumbai attacks claimed 166 lives.
- 2019 – A suicide bombing in Pulwama killed 40 Indian soldiers.
Rising Tensions Between India and Pakistan
In response to the April 22 attack, India launched precision airstrikes targeting alleged terrorist camps in Pakistan. The Pakistani military retaliated with cross-border shelling that struck civilian areas, including schools and homes.
Although a ceasefire was brokered on May 10, tensions remain high between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.