JAMMU: In one of the deadliest terrorist attacks in Jammu and Kashmir since the 2019 Pulwama bombing, 26 people, including tourists and locals, were killed on Tuesday afternoon in Pahalgam’s Baisaran Valley. The attack took place around 2:45 PM, with terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba claiming responsibility.
Among the deceased are a tourist from Italy, another from Israel, and two local residents. The remaining victims were tourists from Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Odisha. Over 20 others sustained injuries in the firing.
According to media reports, the terrorists approached a tourist, asked his name, and then shot him in the head before opening indiscriminate fire on others. They fled the scene immediately after the assault.
Initially, local administration confirmed just one death. However, nearly four hours later, news agency EK reported a significantly higher toll of 26 fatalities. The incident has triggered panic and condemnation, prompting heightened security in the region.
Security forces swiftly cordoned off the entire area, and aerial surveillance is being conducted via helicopters. A large-scale search operation is underway to track down the perpetrators.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrived in Srinagar from Delhi shortly after the attack and is currently holding a high-level emergency meeting at the Raj Bhavan with senior Army and administrative officials. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also spoke with Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi to assess the ground situation.
