At least 26 civilians, mostly tourists, were killed in a terror attack in Pahalgam in Jammu & Kashmir’s Anantnag district on Tuesday, sources said, in what is the deadliest attack in the Valley since the 2019 Pulwama strike.
The attack took place at Baisaran, a meadow accessible only by foot or ponies, where a group of tourists had gone visiting this morning. According to PTI, tourists gathered at Baisaran were from several states, including Karnataka, Maharashtra and Gujarat.
The Resistance Front, a shadow group of the banned Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terror group, claimed responsibility for the attack but a government statement confirming the same is awaited.
Distressing visuals doing the rounds on social media showed several women pleading for help. “We were having bhelpuri (a snack made of puffed rice) when a man came and shot my husband,” said one of them, as another, with blood splattered on her face, looked helplessly at the man recording the video.
The terrorists came out of the woods and opened fire at the tourists who were picnicking and taking pony rides in Baisaran, also called the ‘mini Switzerland’ of Pahalgam.
Several people were seen lying motionless on the ground. A visibly shaken child was also seen with the group of tourists who survived the attack.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a telephonic conversation with Union Home Minister Amti Shah and asked him to take “suitable measures”. Later in the day, Mr Shah reached Srinagar to take stock of the situation. Mr Modi, who reached Saudi Arabia earlier in the day for a two-day visit, cut short his trip and is scheduled to return early on Wednesday, sources said.
Eyewitnesses reported scenes of chaos as the attackers, dressed in military fatigues, indiscriminately fired at tourists enjoying the meadow. The Resistance Front (TRF), a Lashkar-e-Taiba offshoot, claimed responsibility for the attack. Chinar Corps of the Indian Army said a joint search operation has been launched in Baisran, Pahalgam, Anantnag to trace the terrorists involved in the brutal attack on tourists earlier in the day. The search operation is currently in progress, with all efforts focused on bringing the attackers to justice.
The attack has drawn widespread condemnation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who cut short his Saudi Arabia visit to return to India, strongly condemned the act and vowed to bring the attackers to justice. Leaders across the political spectrum have expressed their grief and solidarity with the victims’ families. Candle marches and protests have been organized in various parts of Jammu and Kashmir as a mark of respect and mourning.
This incident underscores the ongoing challenges of terrorism in the region, despite efforts to improve security and promote peace. It serves as a grim reminder of the need for vigilance and unity in the face of such threats. The nation stands together in grief, honoring the lives lost and supporting those affected by this tragedy
