A terror attack struck the popular tourist destination of Pahalgam in Anantnag
district, Jammu and Kashmir, on Tuesday afternoon, resulting in the death of
at least one tourist and injuries to between 6 and 13 others, according to
varying early reports from officials and eyewitnesses.
The incident occurred at Baisaran meadows, a well-known trekking and
sightseeing spot, when 2–3 terrorists dressed in military fatigues opened fire
on a group of tourists, many of whom were on horseback and had come from
different states across India, including Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka,
Tamil Nadu, and Orissa.
The attack reportedly lasted for about 3–5 minutes, after which the assailants
fled the scene before security forces could engage them. Eyewitness accounts,
including a harrowing statement from a woman survivor, describe how the
terrorists first asked some tourists their names and religions before opening
fire.
The survivor recounted that her husband was shot in the head and pleaded for
urgent medical evacuation for the injured. The victims were quickly shifted to
hospitals in Pahalgam and Srinagar for treatment.
Security forces, including the Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police, Special
Forces, and CRPF, immediately cordoned off the area and launched a massive
search operation to track down the attackers.
The attack has been claimed by
an offshoot of the Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist group. No exchange of fire
between security forces and the terrorists was reported at the time of the
initial response.
The incident has drawn strong condemnation from Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant
Governor Manoj Sinha, who assured that those responsible would not go
unpunished, and from former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who noted the
unprecedented scale of the attack on civilians in recent years. Officials have
also clarified that the attack did not occur along the Pahalgam–Doda axis, as
some early reports suggested.
The attack is widely seen as an attempt to disrupt Kashmir's thriving tourism
season, which has been witnessing a significant revival. The situation remains
tense, with security operations ongoing and the number of casualties subject
to updates as more information emerges.
Agencies