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At least 24 Hindu tourists were killed and 13 injured in a brutal terror attack at Baisaran near Pahalgam, South Kashmir, as militants opened fire after confirming victims' religious identity.
In a devastating act of terror, 26 people, mostly tourists, were gunned down in broad daylight at Baisaran near Pahalgam in South Kashmir on Tuesday, in what is being described as the deadliest civilian attack in the Valley since the 2019 Pulwama suicide bombing, reported news agency PTI. Among the dead were two foreign nationals and two locals, a senior official confirmed, adding that the death toll may rise.
The targeted massacre occurred around 3 PM, as Baisaran — a scenic alpine meadow often dubbed ‘mini Switzerland’ — bustled with visitors enjoying pony rides, picnics, and snacks. Eyewitnesses recounted the horror of gunfire tearing through the idyllic setting, with tourists running for cover and the air filled with screams and gunshots.
At least 20 others were injured, many critically. Survivors said the attackers fired indiscriminately into the crowd. “My husband was shot in the head. Seven others were also hit,” a woman said, struggling to speak through her tears.
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Officials suspect the attackers, possibly five in number, infiltrated from Kishtwar in Jammu and made their way to Baisaran via Kokernag. The Resistance Front (TRF), an offshoot of the banned Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, has claimed responsibility.
The attack comes at a critical moment as the tourist season gains pace and amid the high-profile visit of US Vice President JD Vance to India.
The victims reportedly hailed from various Indian states, including Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Gujarat, and Maharashtra.
According to survivor accounts, the assailants reportedly verified the religious identities of the victims by checking their identification documents and clothing before executing the attack. One distressed woman was heard pleading, “Save my husband, please,” as the gunmen opened fire.
This incident marks one of the most significant attacks on civilians in the region in recent years. The meadow, a popular tourist destination surrounded by scenic landscapes, was crowded at the time of the attack. Authorities have labeled the incident a "terror attack" and attribute it to militants opposing Indian rule in the disputed region.
Meanwhile, Anantnag Police announced a 24/7 Emergency Help Desk for Tourists.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the attack, expressing condolences to the victims' families and asserting that those responsible will be brought to justice.
Reacting strongly from Saudi Arabia, where he is on an official visit, PM called the attack “heinous act.”
“I strongly condemn the terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. I pray that the injured recover at the earliest. All possible assistance is being provided to those affected,” the Prime Minister said in a statement on X.
“Those behind this heinous act will be brought to justice... they will not be spared! Their evil agenda will never succeed. Our resolve to fight terrorism is unshakable and it will get even stronger,” he added.
In response, Home Minister Amit Shah convened a high-level meeting to assess the security situation, and left for the attack site in Jammu and Kashmir.
He left for Srinagar with J&K LG Manoj Sinha. Condemning the terror attack, Sinha had wrote on X, "Anti-terror ops launched to neutralise terrorists. The entire nation is angry & the blood of our forces is boiling. I want to assure the nation that perpetrators of Pahalgam attack will have to pay a very heavy price for their heinous act. My heartfelt condolences to bereaved families."
Security forces have intensified operations in the region, sealing off the area and launching a manhunt for the attackers.
This tragic event underscores the persistent threat of terrorism in the region and the need for continued vigilance and security measures to protect civilians and maintain peace.
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