New Delhi: Security agencies have released a photograph of the four terrorists responsible for Tuesday’s horrific terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed the lives of 26 tourists and injured many more. All four individuals are linked to the Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), and at least two of them are suspected to be foreign nationals.
The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy outfit of LeT, has claimed responsibility for the massacre, which is being called the deadliest attack in the region since the Pulwama tragedy in 2019. Security forces are conducting a large-scale search operation to hunt down the assailants and uncover the full extent of the plan behind the attack.
High-Level Political Response
Union Home Minister Amit Shah rushed to Jammu and Kashmir to review the situation on the ground. He held meetings with Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. Shah also paid tribute to the victims, stating on X (formerly Twitter), “With a heavy heart, paid last respects to the deceased of the Pahalgam terror attack. Bharat will not bend to terror. The culprits of this dastardly terror attack will not be spared.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was in Saudi Arabia at the time of the attack, immediately cut short his visit and returned to India. He condemned the attack in strong terms, assuring citizens that the perpetrators would be brought to justice. “Those behind this heinous act will not be spared! Their evil agenda will never succeed. Our resolve to fight terrorism is unshakable and will only grow stronger,” PM Modi declared in a post.
Survivors Recount Horror
Eyewitness accounts from survivors paint a chilling picture of the events that unfolded. According to reports, the terrorists asked the victims about their religion before executing some of them at point-blank range. The victims were mostly tourists from various parts of India, and among those killed were foreign nationals from the UAE and Nepal.
The Civil Aviation Ministry has stepped in to facilitate the return of stranded tourists, urging airlines to control fare surges and ensure hassle-free travel. Special flights have been arranged from Srinagar, and cancellation/rescheduling charges have been waived by multiple airlines.
Nation on High Alert
Following the attack, major Indian cities—including Delhi and Mumbai—have been placed on high alert. Security has been tightened at transport hubs, tourist destinations, and other high-footfall areas, as agencies remain vigilant for any signs of follow-up threats.
The country continues to mourn the loss of innocent lives in this brutal assault, while the hunt for the perpetrators intensifies. The government has reaffirmed its commitment to eradicating terrorism and ensuring justice for the victims and their families.
