25+ Killed Including Foreigners in Pahalgam Tourist Attack

What began as a peaceful afternoon in one of Kashmir's most picturesque locations turned into a scene of horror and bloodshed on Tuesday when terrorists opened fire on unsuspecting tourists in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam. 

In one of the deadliest attacks targeting tourists in recent years, 26 people, including two foreign nationals, were killed and twelve others injured when terrorists disguised in military fatigues opened fire on visitors at the scenic Baisaran meadow, approximately 5 kilometers from Pahalgam hill station. 

The attack occurred around 2:30 PM when the meadow, accessible only by foot or pony, was filled with tourists enjoying its natural beauty. Eyewitnesses reported that the gunmen fired at close range, causing immediate panic as tourists scrambled for safety. 

"It happened so suddenly. One moment we were taking photos of the beautiful meadow, and the next moment there was gunfire everywhere," said Rahul Sharma, who was visiting from Delhi and sustained minor injuries. "People were running in all directions, screaming for help." 

Videos captured during the attack show the raw terror as tourists tried desperately to escape. In one particularly heartbreaking video, a young couple from Karnataka, Manjunath and Pallavi, can be seen smiling and enjoying their vacation just moments before the attack. Manjunath was among those killed.

According to Pallavi's testimony to authorities, when she begged the terrorists to kill her too, they refused with the chilling words: "You need to stay alive to tell this to Modi." This statement has sent shockwaves across the nation, suggesting the attack may have been intended to send a political message.

The Resistance Front (TRF), a local offshoot of the Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba, has claimed responsibility for the attack. Security agencies consider TRF to be a proxy of Lashkar-e-Taiba, created to give the impression of an indigenous Kashmiri resistance. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi immediately spoke with Union Home Minister Amit Shah following the attack, instructing him to take all necessary measures and to personally visit the site. Shah convened a high-level emergency meeting with officials from the Intelligence Bureau, Ministry of Home Affairs, and Jammu and Kashmir Police before flying to Pahalgam Tuesday evening. 

"Those involved in this dastardly act of terror will not be spared, and we will come down heavily on the perpetrators with the harshest consequences," Shah stated on social media platform X. "We stand with the families of the victims during this difficult time." 

In what appears to be a swift response to the attack, the Indian Army eliminated two Pakistani terrorists attempting to infiltrate into India across the Line of Control in the Uri sector of North Kashmir's Baramulla district early Wednesday morning. Security forces recovered an improvised explosive device (IED), two AK rifles, and a pistol from the slain terrorists. 

"This infiltration bid was likely part of a larger plan to escalate violence in the region following yesterday's attack," said Lt. Gen. Rajiv Singh (name changed for security reasons). "Our forces remain on high alert across the valley."

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who was in Ramban when the attack occurred, immediately returned to Srinagar. "I'm shocked beyond belief. This attack on our visitors is an abomination. The perpetrators of this attack are animals, inhuman and worthy of contempt," Abdullah wrote on X. 

The attack has raised serious concerns about security in Kashmir, particularly in tourist areas that have seen a significant increase in visitors over the past two years. Tourism has been a crucial economic lifeline for the region, with the government actively promoting Kashmir as a safe destination following years of unrest. 

Local tourism operators fear the attack could have devastating consequences for the industry just as the summer season was beginning. "We have worked so hard to rebuild tourism here, and this attack will set us back again," said Mohammad Yusuf, who operates a tour company in Srinagar.

Security has been intensified across all tourist destinations in Kashmir, with additional forces deployed at popular locations including Gulmarg, Sonamarg, and Dal Lake. Tourists currently in the region are being provided with enhanced security arrangements. 

The Ministry of Tourism has established a 24-hour helpline for families of the victims and tourists currently in Kashmir who seek assistance or information. 

As Kashmir once again grapples with violence, the human cost of this attack extends far beyond statistics. Each of the 26 victims leaves behind grieving families and unfulfilled dreams, a stark reminder of terrorism's indiscriminate cruelty.

This attack, occurring when Kashmir was experiencing a period of relative calm and economic recovery through tourism, raises serious questions about cross-border terrorism and security measures in a region striving for peace and normalcy.