The Pahalgam attack on April 22, 2025, in the Baisaran meadow near Pahalgam, Anantnag district, Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir, was a devastating terrorist incident that killed at least 26 people and injured over 20 others. It stands as one of the deadliest attacks on civilians in the region in recent decades, shattering the relative calm that had fostered a tourism boom in Kashmir. Below is a deep analysis of the attack, covering its context, execution, perpetrators, motives, impacts, and broader implications, drawing on available information while critically examining the narratives.
1. Context of the Attack
Historical Background
Kashmir Conflict: The Kashmir region has been a flashpoint between India and Pakistan since the 1947 partition, with both nations claiming the territory in full but administering parts of it. An armed insurgency against Indian rule began in 1989, fueled by local discontent, Pakistan-backed militant groups, and geopolitical tensions. The conflict has claimed tens of thousands of lives, though violence had significantly decreased in recent years.
2019 Revocation of Autonomy: In August 2019, India revoked Article 370, stripping Jammu and Kashmir of its semi-autonomous status, splitting it into two union territories (Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh), and imposing direct federal control. This move escalated tensions, curtailed civil liberties, and intensified militarization, with India stationing an estimated 500,000 security personnel in the region. The revocation also allowed non-Kashmiris to obtain domicile rights, buy land, and settle in the region, sparking fears of demographic changes among locals.
Tourism Boom: Post-2019, the Indian government heavily promoted Kashmir as a tourist destination to project stability and economic progress. In 2024, approximately 3.5 million tourists, mostly domestic, visited Kashmir, drawn to scenic spots like Pahalgam, often called the "Switzerland of India." Attacks on tourists have been rare, as the tourism industry is a vital economic lifeline for locals, creating an implicit understanding that it should be spared from violence.
Recent Security Trends
- While militant violence had waned, sporadic attacks persisted. The last significant attack on civilians occurred in June 2024, when militants targeted a bus carrying Hindu pilgrims, killing nine.[](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy9vyzzyjzlo)
- The Pahalgam attack followed a period of relative calm, raising questions about security lapses in a heavily militarized region, particularly at a tourist hotspot like Baisaran, which is less patrolled due to its remote, vehicle-inaccessible location.[](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/4/23/act-of-war-what-happened-in-kashmir-attack-that-killed-26-tourists)[](https://www.independent.co.uk/asia/india/kashmir-pahalgam-terror-attack-baisaran-modi-pakistan-b2737738.html)
2. Details of the Attack
Execution
-Location and Timing: The attack occurred at around 2:45 PM on April 22, 2025, in the Baisaran meadow, a remote tourist spot 5 km from Pahalgam, accessible only by foot or horseback. The meadow, surrounded by pine forests and snow-capped peaks, was crowded with tourists enjoying mild spring weather.[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_Pahalgam_attack)[](https://www.independent.co.uk/asia/india/kashmir-pahalgam-terror-attack-baisaran-modi-pakistan-b2737738.html)
- Method: Seven militants, dressed in military-style uniforms, emerged from nearby forests and opened fire indiscriminately on tourists using M4 carbines and AK-47 rifles. They reportedly used body cameras to record the assault, a tactic associated with Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) propaganda.[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_Pahalgam_attack)
- Targeting: Eyewitnesses reported źróweb:5⁊ reported that the attackers asked victims to recite the Islamic *Kalima* (declaration of faith) and checked for circumcisions to identify and target non-Muslims, sparing Muslims and women. All 26 victims were men, including 25 Indians and one Nepalese national.[](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/4/22/gunmen-open-fire-on-tourists-in-indian-administered-kashmir)[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_Pahalgam_attack)[](https://x.com/PTI_News/status/1914942512273506311)
-Duration and Chaos: The attack lasted approximately 20 minutes, with survivors describing it as a "storm" of gunfire. The attackers moved across the meadow, firing at close range, creating scenes of panic captured in graphic eyewitness videos.[](https://www.independent.co.uk/asia/india/kashmir-pahalgam-terror-attack-baisaran-modi-pakistan-b2737738.html)[](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/23/world/asia/kashmir-pahalgam-attack-victims.html)
Immediate Response
- Rescue Efforts: Local pony handlers and civilians played a critical role in evacuating the wounded, using ponies and improvised stretchers. Emergency services arrived after news reached district headquarters, with critically injured victims airlifted to hospitals in Srinagar and Anantnag.(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_Pahalgam_attack)
- Security Response : A joint operation by the Indian Army, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and Jammu and Kashmir Police launched a manhunt, imposing a lockdown in Pahalgam and deploying helicopters, special forces, and sniffer dogs. Sketches of three suspected attackers were released, and a reward of 200,000 INR ($2,339) was offered for information leading to their neutralization.[](https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/jammu-and-kashmir-terrorist-attack-live-updates-pahalgam-anantnag-tourists-prime-minister-narendra-modi-amit-shah-terrorists-news-8227401)[](https://www.cnn.com/2025/04/22/asia/gunmen-open-fire-jammu-kashmir-intl/index.html)[](https://www.reuters.com/world/india/attack-tourists-indian-kashmir-kills-26-people-injures-17-police-say-2025-04-23/)
3. Perpetrators and Motives
Claim of Responsibility
- The Resistance Front (TRF), a shadow group linked to Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Hizbul Mujahideen, claimed responsibility via social media. TRF cited opposition to the settlement of over 85,000 "outsiders" in Kashmir, alleging it was driving a "demographic change" following the 2019 revocation of autonomy.[](https://www.reuters.com/world/india/one-killed-seven-injured-militant-attack-indias-kashmir-india-today-tv-says-2025-04-22/)[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_Pahalgam_attack)[](https://www.reuters.com/world/india/attack-tourists-indian-kashmir-kills-26-people-injures-17-police-say-2025-04-23/)
- Indian intelligence agencies identified Saifullah Kasuri (alias Khalid), a top LeT commander, and two Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK)-based operatives as masterminds.[](https://x.com/IndiaToday/status/1914659249374028080)
- Some Indian officials, including retired Lt. Gen. KJS Dhillon, suggested the attack’s military precision indicated planning by the Pakistani Army and Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), though Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif denied involvement, framing the violence as a "home-grown" rebellion.[](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/dont-blame-pakistan-in-first-reaction-defence-minister-khawaja-asif-denies-role-in-pahalgam-terror-attack/articleshow/120538889.cms)[](https://x.com/IndiaToday/status/1914692092330131626)
Motives
- Demographic Change Narrative: The TRF’s stated motive aligns with separatist grievances over the 2019 policy changes, which enabled non-Kashmiris to settle in the region. The attackers’ targeting of non-Muslims suggests an intent to stoke communal tensions and deter tourism, a symbol of Indian integration.[](https://www.reuters.com/world/india/one-killed-seven-injured-militant-attack-indias-kashmir-india-today-tv-says-2025-04-22/)[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_Pahalgam_attack)
- Geopolitical Objectives: Indian security analyst C. Uday Bhaskar argued the attack aimed to draw global attention to Kashmir’s unresolved status and deepen India-Pakistan tensions, especially amid India’s efforts to normalize the region’s image.[](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/4/22/gunmen-open-fire-on-tourists-in-indian-administered-kashmir)
- Strategic Timing: The attack coincided with U.S. Vice President JD Vance’s visit to India and followed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s trip to Saudi Arabia, potentially amplifying its international impact.[](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/4/23/act-of-war-what-happened-in-kashmir-attack-that-killed-26-tourists)[](https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/indian-police-say-gunmen-kill-at-least-20-tourists-wound-dozens-of-others-at-a-kashmir-resort)
Critical Examination
- The TRF’s claim and the swift attribution to Pakistan-based groups raise questions about the authenticity of the social media statement and the extent of external involvement. While LeT has a history of targeting Indian interests, the scale and precision of the attack suggest significant planning, possibly beyond TRF’s known capabilities.[](https://x.com/IndiaToday/status/1914692092330131626)
- Pakistan’s denial and Asif’s framing of the attack as part of broader Indian unrest (e.g., in Nagaland, Manipur) reflect a counter-narrative to deflect blame. However, Pakistan’s historical support for Kashmiri militants lends credence to Indian accusations, though direct evidence of state involvement remains unverified.[](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/dont-blame-pakistan-in-first-reaction-defence-minister-khawaja-asif-denies-role-in-pahalgam-terror-attack/articleshow/120538889.cms)[](https://x.com/PTI_News/status/1914973472599728325)
- The targeting of non-Muslims could indicate an attempt to escalate sectarian violence, but the sparing of women and Muslims suggests a calculated approach to avoid alienating the local population, which relies on tourism.[](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/4/22/gunmen-open-fire-on-tourists-in-indian-administered-kashmir)[](https://www.independent.co.uk/asia/india/kashmir-pahalgam-terror-attack-baisaran-modi-pakistan-b2737738.html)
4. Victims and Human Impact
Casualties
- The 26 fatalities included:
- 25 Indian tourists from states like Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, Odisha, Gujarat, Haryana, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, and Arunachal Pradesh.
- One Nepalese national.
- Notable victims included an Indian Navy lieutenant, Vinay Narwal (26, recently married), an Indian Air Force corporal, Tage Hailyang, and civilians like newlyweds Shubham Dwivedi and businessman Dinesh Mirania.[](https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/jammu-and-kashmir-terrorist-attack-live-updates-pahalgam-anantnag-tourists-prime-minister-narendra-modi-amit-shah-terrorists-news-8227401)[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_Pahalgam_attack)[](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/gunshots-heard-in-pahalgam-tourist-resort-in-jks-anantnag-district/articleshow/120515935.cms)
- Over 20 others were injured, with some in critical condition, treated in hospitals in Anantnag and Srinagar.[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_Pahalgam_attack)
Local Heroism
- A Kashmiri Shia Muslim, Syed Adil Hussain Shah, was killed while attempting to disarm an attacker, highlighting local resistance to the violence. Local pony handlers rescued 11 injured tourists, demonstrating community solidarity.[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_Pahalgam_attack)
Emotional Toll
- Survivors and eyewitnesses described scenes of horror, with families witnessing loved ones shot at close range. Videos showed victims pleading for help amid pools of blood.[](https://www.independent.co.uk/asia/india/kashmir-pahalgam-terror-attack-baisaran-modi-pakistan-b2737738.html)[](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/23/world/asia/kashmir-pahalgam-attack-victims.html)
- The attack disrupted the lives of thousands of tourists, with 59 flights, including seven additional services, operated from Srinagar to evacuate visitors and transport victims’ bodies.[](https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/pahalgam-jammu-kashmir-terror-attack-tourists-dead-injured-april-22-2025/article69478557.ece)[](https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/pahalgam-attack-live-updates-jammu-and-kashmir-terrorists-operation-death-injury-latest-news-today-amit-shah-101745327477992.html)
5. Political and Diplomatic Fallout
Indian Response
- Leadership Reaction: Prime Minister Modi cut short his Saudi Arabia visit to chair a Cabinet Committee on Security meeting. Home Minister Amit Shah visited Srinagar to oversee the response, vowing “the harshest consequences” for perpetrators.[](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/4/23/act-of-war-what-happened-in-kashmir-attack-that-killed-26-tourists)[](https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/pahalgam-attack-live-updates-jammu-and-kashmir-terrorists-operation-death-injury-latest-news-today-amit-shah-101745327477992.html)
- Retaliatory Measures: India announced five major actions against Pakistan, including:
1. Suspending the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, critical for Pakistan’s irrigation and hydropower.
2. Closing the Attari-Wagah border crossing.
3. Canceling SAARC visas for Pakistani nationals, with a 48-hour exit ultimatum.
4. Summoning Pakistan’s charge d’affaires.
5. Reviewing bilateral engagements.
(https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/jammu-and-kashmir-terrorist-attack-live-updates-pahalgam-anantnag-tourists-prime-minister-narendra-modi-amit-shah-terrorists-news-8227401)[](https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/pahalgam-jammu-kashmir-terror-attack-tourists-dead-injured-april-22-2025/article69478557.ece)[](https://www.reuters.com/world/india/attack-tourists-indian-kashmir-kills-26-people-injures-17-police-say-2025-04-23/)
-Security Enhancements: Security was intensified across Kashmir, with additional checkpoints, frisking operations, and deployments around tourist hotspots like Gulmarg and Sonamarg.[](https://www.newsonair.gov.in/jk-security-beefed-up-across-kashmir-valley-after-terror-attack-in-pahalgam/)
International Reactions
-Condemnations: World leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Russian President Vladimir Putin, EU chief Ursula von der Leyen, and former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, condemned the attack, expressing solidarity with India.[](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/4/22/gunmen-open-fire-on-tourists-in-indian-administered-kashmir)[](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy9vyzzyjzlo)[](https://www.independent.co.uk/asia/india/kashmir-pahalgam-terror-attack-baisaran-modi-pakistan-b2737738.html)
-Notable Silence: Canada was the only G7 nation not to comment publicly, possibly reflecting strained India-Canada ties.[](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/dont-blame-pakistan-in-first-reaction-defence-minister-khawaja-asif-denies-role-in-pahalgam-terror-attack/articleshow/120538889.cms)
- Taliban’s Statement: Afghanistan’s Taliban government condemned the attack as a blow to regional security, an unusual move given their own militant affiliations.[](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/jammu-and-kashmir-terror-attack-pahalgam-security-forces-terrorists-killed-tourist-injured-search-operation-police-pm-modi-hm-amit-shah-omar-abdullah/liveblog/120519770.cms)
Pakistan’s Position
- Pakistan’s Defense Minister Asif denied involvement, framing the attack as a local uprising against Indian policies. This aligns with Pakistan’s long-standing claim of providing only “moral and diplomatic” support to Kashmiri separatists.[](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/4/22/gunmen-open-fire-on-tourists-in-indian-administered-kashmir)[](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/dont-blame-pakistan-in-first-reaction-defence-minister-khawaja-asif-denies-role-in-pahalgam-terror-attack/articleshow/120538889.cms)
6. Broader Implications
Security and Tourism
- Security Lapses: The attack exposed vulnerabilities in securing remote tourist areas, despite Kashmir’s heavy militarization. Questions arose about the lack of security in Baisaran, typically less patrolled due to its inaccessibility.[](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/4/23/act-of-war-what-happened-in-kashmir-attack-that-killed-26-tourists)[](https://www.independent.co.uk/asia/india/kashmir-pahalgam-terror-attack-baisaran-modi-pakistan-b2737738.html)
- Tourism Impact: The attack triggered widespread cancellations, with 35% of scheduled trips to Jammu and Kashmir canceled by April 23. Pahalgam, a honeymooners’ favorite, resembled a “ghost town” as tourists fled. The Union Tourism Ministry urged operators to waive cancellation fees to support affected travelers.[](https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/pahalgam-jammu-kashmir-terror-attack-tourists-dead-injured-april-22-2025/article69478557.ece)[](https://www.reuters.com/world/india/attack-tourists-indian-kashmir-kills-26-people-injures-17-police-say-2025-04-23/)
- Economic Consequences: Tourism, a lifeline for Kashmir’s economy, faces a setback. The attack undermines India’s narrative of normalcy and could deter future visitors, impacting local livelihoods.[](https://www.cnn.com/2025/04/22/asia/gunmen-open-fire-jammu-kashmir-intl/index.html)[](https://www.reuters.com/world/india/attack-tourists-indian-kashmir-kills-26-people-injures-17-police-say-2025-04-23/)
India-Pakistan Relations
- Escalation Risks: India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty and border closure signal a significant downgrade in ties, already strained since 2019. The treaty’s suspension, unprecedented despite past wars, could severely impact Pakistan’s water-dependent agriculture, raising fears of economic and humanitarian consequences.[](https://www.reuters.com/world/india/attack-tourists-indian-kashmir-kills-26-people-injures-17-police-say-2025-04-23/)[](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/23/world/asia/kashmir-attack-india-pakistan.html)
- Military Tensions: Defense Minister Rajnath Singh’s hint at military strikes and India’s history of cross-border operations (e.g., 2016 surgical strikes, 2019 Balakot airstrike) suggest a potential for escalation, especially given the nuclear capabilities of both nations.[](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/23/world/asia/kashmir-attack-india-pakistan.html)
- Geopolitical Fallout: The attack’s timing during Vance’s visit and Modi’s Saudi trip may internationalize the Kashmir issue, complicating India’s efforts to frame it as an internal matter. Pakistan’s counter-narrative seeks to leverage this to highlight Kashmiri grievances.[](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/4/23/act-of-war-what-happened-in-kashmir-attack-that-killed-26-tourists)[](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/dont-blame-pakistan-in-first-reaction-defence-minister-khawaja-asif-denies-role-in-pahalgam-terror-attack/articleshow/120538889.cms)
Local Dynamics
- Kashmiri Sentiment: The attack was widely condemned by Kashmiri leaders, including separatist Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, who called it a “cowardly” act against Kashmir’s ethos of hospitality. Protests across the valley, including candlelight vigils, reflected local outrage, with slogans like “Tourists are our lives.”[](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/4/22/gunmen-open-fire-on-tourists-in-indian-administered-kashmir)[](https://www.reuters.com/world/india/attack-tourists-indian-kashmir-kills-26-people-injures-17-police-say-2025-04-23/)[](https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/pahalgam-attack-live-updates-jammu-and-kashmir-terrorists-operation-death-injury-latest-news-today-amit-shah-101745327477992.html)
- Community Backlash: The targeting of non-Muslims risks alienating Kashmiris, who depend on tourism and have historically avoided targeting visitors. The attack was termed a “murder of Kashmiriyat” (Kashmiri cultural identity), signaling a rejection of violence that harms the region’s image and economy.[](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/jammu-and-kashmir-terror-attack-pahalgam-security-forces-terrorists-killed-tourist-injured-search-operation-police-pm-modi-hm-amit-shah-omar-abdullah/liveblog/120519770.cms)
Long-Term Challenges
- Counterterrorism: The attack underscores the persistence of militancy despite India’s crackdown. The ability of seven militants to infiltrate and execute a coordinated assault suggests gaps in intelligence and border security, particularly along the Line of Control.[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_Pahalgam_attack)[](https://www.newsonair.gov.in/jk-security-beefed-up-across-kashmir-valley-after-terror-attack-in-pahalgam/)
- Narrative Battle: India’s portrayal of the attack as Pakistan-sponsored terrorism clashes with Pakistan’s depiction of it as a response to Indian oppression. This narrative war shapes international perceptions and domestic politics in both countries.[](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/dont-blame-pakistan-in-first-reaction-defence-minister-khawaja-asif-denies-role-in-pahalgam-terror-attack/articleshow/120538889.cms)[](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/23/world/asia/kashmir-attack-india-pakistan.html)
-Human Rights and Governance: The attack may intensify India’s security measures, potentially exacerbating local grievances over rights violations and militarization. Balancing security with civil liberties remains a critical challenge.[](https://www.independent.co.uk/asia/india/kashmir-pahalgam-terror-attack-baisaran-modi-pakistan-b2737738.html)[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kashmir_conflict)
7. Critical Reflections
- Unanswered Questions: The attack’s scale raises questions about how militants infiltrated a heavily militarized region and evaded detection. The role of local support, if any, remains unclear, as does the authenticity of TRF’s claim.[](https://x.com/PTI_News/status/1914973472599728325)
- Pakistan’s Strategic Calculus: As X user @KazmiWajahat noted, Pakistan gains little militarily or diplomatically from such an attack, which risks international isolation and Indian retaliation. This suggests the possibility of rogue elements or non-state actors operating independently, though Pakistan’s historical ties to LeT complicate this view.[](https://x.com/PTI_News/status/1914973472599728325)
- Indian Response Risks: India’s punitive measures, particularly the Indus Waters Treaty suspension, could escalate tensions without addressing root causes of militancy, such as local alienation. A military response, while politically expedient, risks further destabilization.[](https://www.reuters.com/world/india/attack-tourists-indian-kashmir-kills-26-people-injures-17-police-say-2025-04-23/)[](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/23/world/asia/kashmir-attack-india-pakistan.html)
- Media and Propaganda: The use of body cameras by attackers suggests an intent to produce propaganda, a hallmark of LeT. The rapid spread of unverified videos and narratives on social media highlights the challenge of controlling information in such crises.[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_Pahalgam_attack)[](https://www.independent.co.uk/asia/india/kashmir-pahalgam-terror-attack-baisaran-modi-pakistan-b2737738.html)
8. Conclusion
The Pahalgam attack was a meticulously planned act of terrorism that exploited vulnerabilities in a high-profile tourist destination to maximize impact. By targeting non-Muslims, the perpetrators—likely TRF with LeT backing—aimed to disrupt India’s narrative of normalcy, deter tourism, and escalate India-Pakistan tensions. The attack’s human toll, with 26 lives lost, including newlyweds, a naval officer, and a Nepalese national, underscores its brutality, while local heroism and condemnation reflect Kashmir’s rejection of such violence.
India’s robust response, including diplomatic and economic measures against Pakistan, signals a hardline stance but risks further escalation in an already volatile region. The attack exposes the fragility of Kashmir’s security and tourism-driven economy, challenging India’s post-2019 governance model. For lasting stability, India must address not only security gaps but also the underlying grievances fueling militancy, while avoiding actions that could precipitate a broader conflict with Pakistan.
The international community’s near-universal condemnation offers India diplomatic leverage, but the absence of a clear path to de-escalation highlights the enduring complexity of the Kashmir conflict. As investigations and manhunts continue, the attack serves as a grim reminder of the region’s unresolved tensions and the high stakes of peacebuilding in a nuclear-armed neighborhood.
**Sources**: Information is drawn from the provided web results and X posts, critically evaluated for accuracy and bias. Key sources include Al Jazeera (,,), NDTV (), The Hindu (), Reuters (,), Wikipedia (), BBC (), CNN (), Times of India (,,), The Independent (,), The New York Times (,), France 24 (), PBS News (), Hindustan Times (), AP News (), and X posts (–).[](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/4/22/gunmen-open-fire-on-tourists-in-indian-administered-kashmir)[](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/4/23/act-of-war-what-happened-in-kashmir-attack-that-killed-26-tourists)[](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2025/4/23/kashmir-attack-live-india-looks-for-gunmen-after-26-killed-in-pahalgam), Grook AI
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