New Delhi: In one of the deadliest terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir in recent years, 26 people were killed and many more injured after terrorists opened fire on tourists in the picturesque Baisaran Valley in Pahalgam on Tuesday. A team from the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has reached the site to assist in the probe.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah called the attack “much larger than anything we’ve seen directed at civilians in recent years.”
Here’s What We Know So Far:
Timing and Casualties: The attack began around 2:30 PM on Tuesday. Among those killed were a recently married Navy officer and an Intelligence Bureau official who was shot dead in front of his wife. The deceased also included two foreign nationals—from the UAE and Nepal—as well as two local residents, officials confirmed.
Security Response: A massive search operation is underway. The Army, CRPF, and Jammu and Kashmir Police have sealed off the area and launched a joint manhunt to trace the attackers. Military helicopters were used to evacuate the injured due to the area’s limited accessibility, which is only possible by foot or horseback.
Prime Minister’s Reaction: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was on an official visit to Saudi Arabia at the time of the attack, returned to India early Wednesday. In a post on X, he condemned the attack and vowed swift justice. “Those behind this heinous act will be brought to justice… they will not be spared. Their evil agenda will never succeed,” he said. The Prime Minister is currently chairing a Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) meeting to assess the situation.
Eyewitness Accounts: Survivors described a horrifying scene in the serene Baisaran Valley, where multiple armed men opened fire on unsuspecting tourists. With few places to hide in the open terrain, panic quickly ensued. Videos from the site showed people crying for help, including a woman pleading for her husband’s life and another survivor who said terrorists told her to “go tell Modi” after killing her husband.
Suspected Perpetrators: Though the government has not yet officially confirmed it, reports suggest that ‘The Resistance Front’ (TRF)—a proxy of the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) group—may be behind the attack. Intelligence inputs indicate that the attackers may have crossed over from Kishtwar and reached Baisaran via Kokernag in South Kashmir.
Government Mobilization: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who was on an official trip to the USA and Peru, is returning to India early in light of the tragedy. The Finance Ministry confirmed she is taking the earliest available flight to “be with our people in this difficult and tragic time.”
Travel Measures: Airlines including Air India and IndiGo are operating additional flights to and from Srinagar. Both carriers have waived cancellation and rescheduling fees to facilitate smooth travel for affected passengers and families.
Security Heightened Nationwide: In response to the attack, Delhi Police has increased security across the national capital, particularly at tourist hubs and border checkpoints. Sensitive zones are now under tightened surveillance with regulated traffic movement.
Global Condemnation: The attack has drawn widespread international condemnation. World leaders including U.S. President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed solidarity with India. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also denounced the attack, with von der Leyen calling it a “vile act of terror.”
As investigations continue and search operations intensify, the nation mourns yet another brutal attack on innocent lives, with leaders and citizens alike standing united in grief and resolve.
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