Over 25 people, mostly tourists, killed in terror attack in J&K’s Pahalgam

Over 25 people are feared dead and several others were injured after terrorists opened fire indiscriminately at a group of tourists in Jammu and Kashmir’s Anantnag district on Tuesday.

Those killed included two foreign nationals and two locals.

The attack, the worst in the region after the 2019 Pulwama attack, took place around 3 pm at Baisaran in Pahalgam where a group of tourists had gone for sight-seeing. According to eyewitnesses, the gunmen sprayed bullets at the tourists from a close range. 

The injured have been shifted to a local hospital. Purported videos from the spot showed the chilling sight of lifeless bodies and women crying.

Army, CRPF and local police have rushed to the spot. The area has been sealed and a search operation is currently underway to track down the terrorists.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah held an emergency meeting in Delhi and later left for Srinagar where he will chair a high-level security meeting.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a two-day visit to Saudi Arabia, talked to Shah over the phone and instructed the home minister to visit Pahalgam.

"The death toll is still being ascertained so I don't want to get into those details," Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah posted on X.

The attack comes as US Vice President J.D. Vance is visiting India and just as the tourist and trekking season is picking up momentum.

Pahalgam is often dubbed a 'mini Switzerland' because of its long lush green meadows. The latest incident comes when Kashmir is witnessing a surge in tourist arrivals after reeling under militancy for years. 

Political leaders condemn attack

Political leaders, cutting across party lines, condemned the attack and demanded the government to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Chief Minister Omar Abdulla expressed shock over the incident and said the attack on the visitors was an abomination.

"I'm shocked beyond belief. This attack on our visitors is an abomination. The perpetrators of this attack are animals, inhuman & worthy of contempt. No words of condemnation are enough. I send my sympathies to the families of the deceased," he said. 

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti said such acts of violence are unacceptable and must be denounced.

“Historically, Kashmir has welcomed tourists warmly, making this rare incident deeply concerning. A thorough investigation is needed to bring the perpetrators to justice and examine potential security lapses. Ensuring visitor safety is paramount, and steps must be taken to prevent future attacks. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families," she wrote on X.

J&K People’s Conference chief Sajad Lone said terrorists are the biggest enemy of the Kashmiris and their war is against the hospitality of the people in the region.

“They want tourists to leave Kashmir and that Kashmiris have no source of livelihood. They are enemies of our kids and the coming generations. They are terrorists. Targeting unarmed tourists is the biggest sin. They will neither be forgiven here, nor in the eyes of god,” he said.