Srinagar, April 22, 2025 : In one of the deadliest attacks in Jammu & Kashmir in recent years, at least 26 people are feared dead and over a dozen others injured after terrorists opened fire on a group of tourists near the Baisaran meadow, about five kilometers from Pahalgam in Anantnag district .
The tourists, hailing from various parts of India including Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, odisa and Maharashtra, were reportedly walking back from the meadow when heavily armed militants ambushed them and began firing indiscriminately. Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos, panic, and bloodshed.
Terror in a Tourist Paradise
According to police sources, the victims were targeted deliberately in what appears to be a calculated terror strike on civilians. The attack happened around 6:30 PM, catching the group off guard. Locals and pony operators rushed to help the wounded, even as the attackers vanished into the nearby forests.
“It was a bloodbath. People were running, screaming. We didn’t know where the bullets were coming from,” said Shakeel Ahmad, a pony handler from Pahalgam who helped carry victims to safety.
The bodies of the deceased and the injured were brought down the hilly terrain under difficult conditions by local volunteers and security forces.
Victims and Casualties
Initial reports suggest that at least 26 people were killed on the spot, while 12 others sustained injuries — some critical. The identities of the deceased are being verified, and next of kin are being informed.
Hospitals in Anantnag and Srinagar have been placed on high alert. Medical teams and trauma care units have been mobilized.
High-Level Response
Condemning the attack in the strongest terms, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said:
“This is an attack not just on innocent lives but on the spirit of Kashmir. The perpetrators of this heinous crime will face the harshest consequences. I am personally monitoring the situation.”
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha also issued a statement, calling the attack a cowardly act aimed at derailing peace in the Valley:
“Kashmir will not bow to terror. We mourn the loss of innocent lives and will ensure those responsible are brought to justice. Security agencies are working round-the-clock to track down the attackers.”
He also announced an ex gratia of ₹10 lakh for the families of the deceased and ₹2 lakh for the injured.
Condemnation Across the Spectrum
The attack drew nationwide outrage and condemnation. Kashmiri separatist leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq also expressed his sorrow, stating:
“Such violence is unacceptable and goes against the very fabric of our Kashmiri values. We welcome guests with warmth, not bullets.”
Tourism Under Threat
The incident comes at a time when Kashmir had begun to witness a major tourism revival, with over 1.2 million tourists visiting the region in the first quarter of 2025. Hoteliers, tour operators, and transporters fear a sharp drop in bookings following this attack.
Security has been intensified across all tourist hotspots, and additional troops have been deployed in Pahalgam, Gulmarg, and Sonamarg.
With Agency Inputs
pics Credit The Hindu
