New Delhi: 23th April : Indian Home Minister Shah visits terror attack site. The Union Minister pays his respects to the victims at a solemn wreath-laying ceremony
Jammu and Kashmir As India seeks to deal with the aftermath of the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam that claimed the lives of several tourists, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday visited the site of the attack, underescoring the government’s resolve to bring the perpetrators to justice.The Baisaran Valley, where the attack unfolded, is located around six kilometres from the picturesque Pahalgam area of Anantnag district.
Arriving by helicopter, Shah landed at the Baisaran meadow, which was marked by the violence a day earlier. of Anantnag district, Earlier in the day, Shah attended a wreath-laying ceremony held outside the Police Control Room in Srinagar and paid his respects to the victims. The ceremony was attended by senior officials and political leaders.
Following the tribute, Shah met with grieving family members of the victims. The relatives shared their pain with the Union Minister, pleading for justice and expressing the devastating impact of the tragedy on their lives.
In response to the attack, which has drawn widespread condemnation, political parties and traders’ unions across the Kashmir Valley called for a complete shutdown on Wednesday. Shops, schools, and businesses remained closed in a powerful show of solidarity with the victims and their families.
Shah had chaired a high-level security review meeting on Tuesday evening shortly after arriving in Srinagar. During the meeting, he directed all security agencies to intensify efforts to track down those responsible and assured that the culprits of this “dastardly act of terror” would not be spared.
Special evacuation flights
Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu is closely monitoring the situation to ensure timely assistance to affected tourists and victims, the Ministry of Civil Aviation said in a statement on Wednesday.
As part of the relief measures, four special flights have been arranged from Srinagar — two bound for Delhi and two for Mumbai. Additional flights have been placed on standby to accommodate any further evacuation requirements.
Photos, sketches of terrorists released
Security forces on Wednesday released a photograph of four terrorists involved in the Pahalgam tourist attack. The picture was released a day after 28 tourists in the terror attack. According to reports, Among the four terrorists two are Pakistani nationals.
All these terrorists are reportedly linked to the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) offshoot, The Resistance Front (TRF). Notably, the TRF claimed responsibility for the attack. One of the terrorists has been identified as Asif Fauji.
The security agencies also released sketches of the three terrorists involved in the attack.
Pakistan: ‘Concerned at the loss of lives’
Responding to media queries concerning the attack, Pakistan Foreign Office Spokesperson Shafqat Khan in a statement said: “We are concerned at the loss of tourists’ lives in an attack in Anantnag district of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
“We extend our condolences to the near ones of the deceased and wish the injured a speedy recovery,” he added.
On a sunny Tuesday afternoon in Kashmir’s serene Baisaran valley, the laughter of tourists was suddenly silenced by the staccato sound of gunfire. What was meant to be a day of peace, pony rides, and picnics quickly turned into one of horror and bloodshed. In the worst civilian attack in Kashmir since the 2019 Pulwama bombing, 26 lives were lost and at least 20 people injured when armed terrorists stormed the popular tourist spot near Pahalgam.
A Picturesque Target
Nestled about six kilometers from Pahalgam town, Baisaran—nicknamed “Mini Switzerland”—is known for its rolling meadows and alpine charm. It attracts thousands of tourists each year, many of whom travel by pony or on foot through the pine-scented trails.
That tranquility was shattered around 2:30 PM on April 22, 2025.“I was just helping a family get photos with the snow,” said Bashir Ahmad, a local pony handler. “Suddenly, I heard rapid gunfire. Everyone screamed. I saw a man fall next to me. He was holding his child.”
Eyewitnesses describe the attackers—suspected to be affiliated with The Resistance Front (TRF), a shadow group of Lashkar-e-Taiba—as emerging from the nearby forest. They began firing indiscriminately at tourists, most of whom were unarmed and unaware.
Casualties: Names and Stories
According to official data, 26 people were killed. The victims came from various parts of India—families from Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka were among those struck down.
Among the deceased was 83-year-old Sangramanandan from Tamil Nadu, who had come with his extended family to escape the southern heat. He died protecting his 9-year-old granddaughter, who survived but remains hospitalized.
Also killed was Shilpa Rane (38) from Mumbai, who had shared photos on social media just hours before the attack, captioning them, “Heaven on Earth.”
Injured survivors are being treated in hospitals across Anantnag and Srinagar. Vinoba Dhobi from Gujarat suffered gunshot wounds and was undergoing surgery at Pahalgam hospital. Shashi Kumari from Karnataka, 65, suffered fractures while trying to flee. Another victim, Sobede Patil from Mumbai, suffered serious burns and was airlifted to SKIMS, Srinagar.
The full list of casualties continues to be updated by authorities. Many injured were hit by shrapnel or suffered injuries while running through uneven terrain during the chaos.
The Attack Unfolds
Security sources revealed that three to four militants armed with automatic rifles infiltrated the area using local trails. Their target appeared to be the group of tourists gathered near a small eatery and pony stand.
“The attack lasted less than 10 minutes, but it was like a war zone,” said Ayub Lone, a local tea seller. “Bodies were everywhere. We didn’t know who to help first.”
In an especially tragic scene, a father and his 12-year-old son from Surat were found embracing each other, both fatally shot.
Police say the attackers escaped under the cover of forest. A massive manhunt, aided by drones and tracker dogs, is currently underway.
A Claimed Responsibility and a Bigger Message
TRF released a statement claiming responsibility for the attack. They alleged that the victims were “demographic infiltrators,” alluding to changes in Jammu & Kashmir’s status post the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019.
Security analysts suggest the attack was carefully planned and intended to send a message to both the Indian government and potential settlers in the region.
“This wasn’t just terrorism—it was psychological warfare,” said retired army general Syed Ali Bakshi. “They struck at the heart of what the government wants to promote: peace and tourism in Kashmir.”
Government Response
Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the attack and canceled his overseas engagements to return home. “The nation mourns. The culprits will not be spared,” he said in a televised address.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited the attack site on Wednesday. “This is not just an attack on innocent lives, but on India’s unity and diversity,” he stated, promising enhanced security and swift action.
State forces have detained over 100 suspects for interrogation. Intelligence officials are exploring links between the attack and recent provocative statements made by Pakistan’s Army Chief, which may have emboldened the attackers.
Ground Reality: Fear Returns
The attack has sent shockwaves across the valley. Hoteliers in Pahalgam report mass cancellations. “We had 80% bookings for May. Now people are fleeing,” said Nazir Ahmad, owner of a local guesthouse.
Locals who depend on tourism for survival are devastated. “We had just started recovering from the COVID slump,” said pony handler Mushtaq Mir. “Who will come now?”
There is also a deep sense of betrayal among the people. “We Kashmiris welcomed these tourists like family. Now their blood is on our land,” said Rehana Jan, a schoolteacher from nearby Aishmuqam.
Historical Parallels
This attack eerily recalls the 2006 grenade attack on tourists in Srinagar and the infamous 2019 Pulwama suicide bombing that killed 40 CRPF personnel. However, experts emphasize the uniqueness of this assault—its focus on civilian tourists and the manner in which it targeted India's soft power push in the region.
“It’s no coincidence that this happened just before the Amarnath Yatra season,” said journalist Rafiq Bhat. “It’s an attempt to cripple the local economy and instill fear.”
Voices from the Ground
“I saw a woman begging for help. Her leg was bleeding. She was calling her husband’s name,” recalls a volunteer who assisted with evacuations.
“They weren’t soldiers. They were honeymooners, grandparents, schoolchildren,” said Dr. Farooq Lone at Anantnag’s GMC hospital. “We are overwhelmed, emotionally more than medically.”
A Nation in Mourning
Memorial services are being held across the country. In Surat, hundreds lit candles for the deceased father-son duo. In Chennai, volunteers organized a blood donation camp for the injured.
Leaders from across political lines have condemned the attack. “We must unite against terror, not politicize it,” said Congress MP Rahul Gandhi in Parliament.
Internationally, the United States, France, Japan, and the UN have expressed solidarity with India.
The Road Ahead
While security measures are being bolstered, experts say the healing will take much longer.
“No intelligence failure can ever be repaired by just capturing the perpetrators,” said retired IPS officer Kiran Suri. “We need to ensure safety, yes—but also invest in trust-building between Kashmiris, tourists, and authorities.”
Meanwhile, at Baisaran, the meadow stands empty. Blood-stained grass, shattered cameras, and abandoned ponies bear witness to a day Kashmir will not soon forget.
with Krishna Kumar N.P.
Compiled from agencies
