Kashmir Terrorist Attack: On Tuesday afternoon, terrorists opened fire at a renowned meadow near Kashmir’s Pahalgam town, killing 26 people, mostly tourists.
According to officials, the 27 victims included two foreigners and two locals, though further details were not provided. The exact death toll is still being determined, said Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who described the attack as "much larger than anything we've seen directed at civilians in recent years."
The assault, occurring during US Vice President J.D. Vance's visit to India and during the peak tourist and trekking season, took place around 3 pm, as per sources.
Baisaran, about six kilometres from the resort town of Pahalgam, is an expansive meadow ringed by dense pine forests and mountains and a favourite with visitors from across the country and the world.
Armed terrorists came into the grassland, dubbed ‘mini Switzerland’, and started firing at tourists milling around eateries, taking pony rides or just picnicking, officials and eyewitnesses said. At least 20 people were injured in the strike in the volatile Kashmir Valley where tourists have so far mostly been spared.
As news of the terror attack targeting tourists in Kashmir spread, The Resistance Front (TRF), a shadow group of the banned Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terror group, claimed responsibility.
Officials said it was possible the terror group members could 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 on a visit to Saudi Arabia, and reached Srinagar in the evening for an urgent security review meeting with all agencies.
Officials said Shah is likely to visit Pahalgam on Wednesday.
"I strongly condemn the terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. I pray that the injured recover at the earliest. All possible assistance is being provided to those affected,” the prime minister said on X.
"Those behind this heinous act will be brought to justice... they will not be spared! Their evil agenda will never succeed. Our resolve to fight terrorism is unshakable and it will get even stronger," he added.
(With inputs from PTI)
