In a devastating terror strike that has shaken Kashmir and the nation, 26 people—mostly tourists—were killed and over 20 injured after armed terrorists opened fire at Baisaran meadow, near the popular tourist town of Pahalgam.
The attack, described as the deadliest in the Valley since the 2019 Pulwama attack, occurred around 3 PM on Tuesday.
The picturesque Baisaran, often dubbed “mini Switzerland,” turned into a site of horror as terrorists stormed the meadow and began firing indiscriminately at visitors enjoying pony rides, local food, and picnics. Eyewitnesses described chaotic scenes, with gunfire ripping through the serene landscape and cries for help echoing through the valley.
“My husband was shot in the head while seven others were injured,” recounted a survivor, her voice shaking.
Officials confirmed that among the deceased were two foreign nationals and two local residents. The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy of the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), claimed responsibility for the attack. Intelligence sources believe the militants may have crossed into Kashmir via Kokernag after infiltrating from Kishtwar, Jammu.
J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah condemned the strike as
“much larger than anything we’ve seen directed at civilians in recent years,” calling the attackers “inhuman animals” in a strongly-worded post on X.
The attack coincided with the peak tourist and trekking season and comes at a time when India is hosting US Vice President J.D. Vance, adding diplomatic weight to the already tense atmosphere.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, currently on a state visit to Saudi Arabia, was briefed on the situation by Home Minister Amit Shah, who has since left for Srinagar to hold an urgent security review.
“Those behind this heinous act will not be spared. Their evil agenda will never succeed. Our resolve to fight terrorism is unshakable,” PM Modi wrote on X, offering condolences and support to the victims’ families.
Security has been tightened across south Kashmir, and all exit points from the region are being monitored. A large-scale manhunt is underway to track down the assailants, believed to number at least five.
The massacre has not only triggered a nationwide wave of grief and outrage but also raised critical concerns about security preparedness, especially with the upcoming Amarnath Yatra, slated to begin on July 3, and whose route includes Pahalgam.
