West Bengal

IIE DIGITAL DESK : May 7, 2025 — The serene Baisaran Valley in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, turned into a scene of horror on April 22, when five heavily armed militants launched a brutal attack on tourists, killing 28 people, including 26 Indian nationals and a Nepali citizen. Among the victims was Manish Ranjan, an Intelligence Bureau officer from West Bengal, whose tragic death has left his family and the nation in mourning.

Manish Ranjan, originally from Sasaram in Bihar, was on a family vacation in Kashmir with his wife, Asha, and their two children. The attackers, armed with M4 carbines and AK-47s, targeted non-Muslim tourists, asking them to recite Islamic verses to identify their religion before opening fire. Manish was shot dead in front of his family, who managed to escape the scene. His father, Manglesh Mishra, a retired college teacher residing in Malda district, West Bengal, expressed profound grief over the loss of his eldest son. 

The Pahalgam attack is considered the deadliest on civilians in India since the 2008 Mumbai attacks. The Resistance Front (TRF), an offshoot of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, initially claimed responsibility, citing opposition to non-local settlement in Kashmir, but later retracted the claim. Eyewitnesses reported that the militants specifically targeted Hindu tourists, sparing women and children.

In retaliation, India launched "Operation Sindoor" on May 7, conducting precision air and missile strikes on nine locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. The operation targeted terrorist infrastructure associated with groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed. India reported the elimination of approximately 70 terrorists within 24 hours. 

Pakistan condemned the strikes as unprovoked aggression, reporting civilian casualties and claiming to have shot down several Indian aircraft. The incident has significantly escalated tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors, with both countries suspending treaties, closing borders, and engaging in cross-border skirmishes. International actors, including the United Nations, the United States, and China, have called for restraint and urged both nations to de-escalate the situation.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced compensation of Rs 10 lakh for each family of the three victims from the state who lost their lives in the Pahalgam attack. Additionally, the families will receive monthly pensions and be covered under the state's health scheme. The government has also assured job opportunities for willing family members. 

The tragic loss of Manish Ranjan and others in the Pahalgam attack has left the nation in mourning. As the country grapples with the grief, there is a collective call for justice and a resolute stand against terrorism