Pahalgam Terror Attack: Tourists Targeted in Chilling Assault, Survivors Recount Ordeal

Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir – A horrific terrorist attack shook the serene valley of Pahalgam today as gunmen opened fire on a group of tourists in the scenic Baisaran Valley. The assault claimed the life of two tourist and left at least 20 others injured, four of them critically. Several horses, used for trekking in the area, were also wounded in the crossfire.

Eyewitnesses have recounted chilling scenes of violence. One distraught woman said, “We were just eating bhelpuri when the attacker shot my husband. He said, ‘Your husband is not a Muslim,’ and then pulled the trigger.” This brutal account reflects the disturbing possibility that the attack was religiously motivated.

The Resistance Front (TRF), a known affiliate of the Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba, has claimed responsibility for the attack. Security personnel responded swiftly, and a large-scale search operation was immediately launched in the surrounding forested region. An Additional Quick Reaction Team (QRT) from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) was deployed to assist in tracking down the terrorists.

Baisaran Valley, the site of the attack, is a popular destination among tourists for its lush meadows and panoramic trekking routes. Located in the upper reaches of Pahalgam, it is accessible only on foot or horseback. The area had been witnessing a surge in tourist activity since the snowfall in March, with hundreds visiting daily.

The attack has sent shockwaves across the country and has drawn widespread condemnation from political leaders. People’s Democratic Party chief Mehbooba Mufti denounced the attack as a “cowardly and unacceptable act of violence,” while Jammu and Kashmir’s former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah called it “inhuman and barbaric.” He added, “Targeting innocent tourists is a despicable act. My colleagues are at the hospital, assisting the victims.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was briefed on the situation and held a meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The Prime Minister has urged swift and appropriate action and has reportedly asked Shah to visit the site of the attack to assess the situation firsthand.

Following the Prime Minister’s directive, Home Minister Amit Shah convened an emergency meeting involving top officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Intelligence Bureau, and the Jammu and Kashmir Police. The Director General of Police and other regional officials participated virtually. The government is treating the attack as a grave security lapse and is expected to increase surveillance in vulnerable areas.

Pahalgam has traditionally remained a relatively peaceful zone compared to other parts of the Kashmir Valley. The latest incident, however, has shaken that perception and raised serious concerns about the safety of tourists in the region. Security forces continue combing operations to neutralize the attackers, while the local administration is providing medical aid and psychological support to the victims and their families.

Team maverick.