Dubai: Militants opened fire on a group of tourists in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam on Tuesday, killing at least one and injuring at least 20 others. The attack—believed to have been carried out by two to three militants at Baisaran, a scenic but remote meadow near Pahalgam—has drawn nationwide outrage and sharp condemnation from top political leaders.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is currently in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, spoke to Home Minister Amit Shah and expressed his anguish over the incident. “I strongly condemn the terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones… Those behind this heinous act will be brought to justice… Their evil agenda will never succeed,” Modi said in a post on X.
At least five tourists are feared dead and several injured in the attack that occurred around 3 pm on Tuesday, reported Reuters, citing a police source. The terrorists came down from the mountain in Baisaran valley and opened fire at the tourists, news agency PTI reported.
“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,” PM Modi posted on X. He further directed the officials to provide all possible assistance to those affected. “Their evil agenda will never succeed. Our resolve to fight terrorism is unshakable, and it will get even stronger,” Modi said.
Amit Shah vows harsh response
Meanwhile, Home Minister Amit Shah expressed deep anguish over the terrorist attack and announced that he would soon travel to Srinagar to attend a security review meeting. “Anguished by the terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. My thoughts are with the family members of the deceased. Those involved in this dastardly act of terror will not be spared, and we will come down heavily on the perpetrators with the harshest consequences,” Shah posted on X.
“Briefed PM Narendra Modi about the incident and held a meeting with the concerned officials via video conferencing. Will shortly leave for Srinagar to hold an urgent security review meeting with all the agencies,” he said.
Terror strike tourist hotspot
The attack in Pahalgam comes as a major development in Kashmir’s security situation in the past few years. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah described it as “much larger than anything we’ve seen directed at civilians in recent years”.
A purported video of the attack site emerged on social media, showing several bleeding tourists lying motionless on the ground. Business Standard could not independently verify the video.
As per reports, the terrorists emerged from the dense pine forest surrounding the Baisaran, which was a famous spot for Bollywood movie makers in the 1980s.
Meanwhile, a massive anti-terrorist operation has been launched to hunt down the terrorists as security forces have been fanned out in all directions, a senior police official said, reports PTI.
