JAMMU: A tragic terrorist attack struck Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday afternoon, as militants opened fire on tourists in the Baisaran Valley. One tourist was killed, and at least eight others were injured in the incident, according to officials. The terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba has claimed responsibility for the attack.
Media reports indicate that the assailants asked a tourist his name before shooting him in the head and fleeing the scene while continuing to fire. The identity of the deceased tourist has not yet been released.
While initial official reports confirmed eight injuries, news agency PTI cited anonymous sources claiming that as many as 20 people might have been injured, with some of them being local residents. An official quoted by PTI suggested the death toll could potentially rise beyond 20, although this has not been officially confirmed.
This is being described as the most severe terror incident in Kashmir since the February 2019 Pulwama suicide bombing, in which 47 CRPF personnel were killed.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, currently on a visit to Saudi Arabia, was briefed on the situation and spoke with Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the phone. Modi directed Shah to visit the site personally. Following the conversation, Shah left for Srinagar, where he is expected to hold a high-level review meeting with senior officials.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also spoke with Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi to assess the ground situation.
Security forces have cordoned off the area around the site of the attack in Pahalgam. Aerial surveillance is being carried out using helicopters, and the injured are currently undergoing treatment in nearby hospitals. A major search operation is underway as authorities tighten security in the region.
