Pahalgam, Kashmir | A devastating terrorist attack shook the tranquil tourist town of Pahalgam in South Kashmir on Tuesday afternoon, leaving several people feared dead and at least 20 others injured in one of the most brutal assaults targeting civilians in recent years.
The attack occurred around 3 PM at the scenic Baisaran Valley — a popular meadow destination often dubbed the “Mini Switzerland” of India — sending shockwaves through the region and across the country.
According to preliminary reports from local authorities, the attackers descended from the dense pine forests surrounding the valley and opened indiscriminate fire on groups of tourists, triggering chaos and panic.
Officials confirmed that emergency evacuations were underway, with a military helicopter and local volunteers aiding in transporting the injured from the meadows. Some of the wounded were carried on ponies by residents who rushed to the scene to assist.
While the exact death toll remains unconfirmed, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah described the attack as “much larger than anything we’ve seen directed at civilians in recent years.”
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he expressed profound shock and grief, calling the assailants “inhuman” and their actions “an abomination.”
Graphic and distressing footage believed to be from the attack site surfaced online, depicting bloodied tourists lying motionless on the ground as distraught women screamed and searched for loved ones.
However, authorities have not independently verified the authenticity of the videos. Medical officials at the Pahalgam hospital confirmed that at least 12 injured tourists had been admitted and were in stable condition.
One survivor, speaking to PTI over the phone, recounted the horrifying moment her husband was shot in the head. “Seven others were also injured right in front of my eyes,” she said.
Security forces, including the Indian Army, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and local police, were swiftly deployed to the area.
A large-scale cordon-and-search operation has been launched, with combing operations underway to locate and neutralize the terrorists believed to be hiding in the surrounding forested terrain.
The attack comes at a critical time for the region. Kashmir has seen a notable surge in tourism over the past year, with improved security and infrastructure drawing visitors back to its picturesque valleys.
The resort town of Pahalgam, once teeming with tourists, turned into a scene of fear and silence after the attack, as panicked vacationers fled the area.
Moreover, the assault occurred just weeks ahead of the annual Amarnath Yatra — a 38-day Hindu pilgrimage scheduled to begin on July 3.
The pilgrimage attracts lakhs of devotees from across India, many of whom traverse through Pahalgam on their way to the sacred Amarnath cave shrine via the traditional 48-kilometer route.
Tuesday’s violence also coincided with a high-profile international visit, as U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance and his family are currently in India on a four-day tour.
Though Vance was in Rajasthan at the time of the attack, the timing has raised fresh concerns over the safety of foreign dignitaries and tourists visiting volatile regions.
Baisaran Valley, the site of the massacre, is not only a hub for sightseeing but also a launching point for treks to the Tulian Lake.
Its cinematic landscapes have historically attracted Bollywood filmmakers, especially during the 1980s.
Authorities are urging calm as the investigation and manhunt continue. Meanwhile, political leaders across party lines have condemned the attack in the strongest terms and called for justice for the victims.
Security across the region has been tightened, particularly along pilgrimage routes and other tourist destinations.
As Kashmir grapples with the tragedy, questions loom over how militants managed to infiltrate and execute such a deadly strike in a high-traffic, high-security zone.
For now, a region just beginning to reclaim its place on the tourism map finds itself once again under the dark shadow of terror.
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