In a gruesome act of terror, 26 people, including two foreigners and two locals, were killed in Kashmir’s Pahalgam on Tuesday afternoon. The attack occurred at the picturesque Baisaran meadow, a popular tourist spot near Pahalgam, as terrorists opened fire on unsuspecting tourists. The assailants targeted those enjoying their day with pony rides, picnicking, and strolling near the eateries.
Witnesses described the horrifying scene of gunfire echoing through the meadow, with people frantically seeking cover, but there was nowhere to hide in the open space. Many of the victims were tourists from various states, including Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Gujarat. Among the dead was a businessman from Shivamogga, Karnataka. Over 20 people were also injured in the assault.
The terrorist group, The Resistance Front (TRF), an offshoot of the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), claimed responsibility for the attack. Authorities suspect that the terrorists might have crossed over from Kishtwar in Jammu and reached Baisaran through Kokernag in south Kashmir.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is visiting Saudi Arabia, and soon after, an urgent security review meeting was held. Prime Minister Modi condemned the attack, expressing condolences to the families of the victims and vowing that the perpetrators would be brought to justice.
The attack, which unfolded as Kashmir’s tourist season was gaining momentum, comes just days after increased tourist arrivals in the region. The attack is the deadliest since the 2019 Pulwama suicide bombing, which killed 40 CRPF personnel. The shockwaves of the Pahalgam attack have left the region on edge, with both local authorities and national security agencies on high alert.
