Pahalgham, a prime tourist location in South Kashmir, was targeted by terrorists on Tuesday, resulting in multiple casualties and leaving at least 20 people injured. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah stated that the death toll is still being determined following the attack, which he described as larger in scale than previous incidents directed at civilians in recent years.
The assault occurred around 3 PM when terrorists descended from the mountain in Baisaran valley and opened fire on tourists visiting the area known as ‘mini Switzerland’ for its scenic lush green meadows. The timing of the attack coincided with a visit by US Vice President J D Vance and his family to the country, although they were in Rajasthan at the time.
Footage from the scene depicted individuals wounded and motionless on the ground, with distraught women tourists searching for their loved ones. While there was no independent verification of the video, the Office of the J&K LG denounced the cowardly act and promised that those responsible would face consequences. Security forces were promptly deployed to conduct search operations in the area.
CM Abdullah expressed shock and condemnation for the attack, labeling the perpetrators as inhumane and deserving of contempt. The incident comes as Kashmir experiences a resurgence in tourist arrivals after years of conflict and just ahead of the upcoming 38-day Amarnath pilgrimage scheduled to commence on July 3.
Following the assault, authorities mobilized a helicopter for evacuating the injured, with locals using ponies to bring down some of the victims from the meadows. The Pahalgam hospital reported receiving 12 injured tourists, all of whom were in stable condition. Survivors recounted the harrowing experience, with one woman revealing that her husband was shot in the head during the attack.
Reports indicated that the terrorists emerged from the dense pine forest surrounding Baisaran, a popular spot for Bollywood film shoots in the 1980s. Prompt response from the Army, CRPF, and local police followed as news of the incident reached the town, highlighting the swift mobilization of security forces in the region.