Pahalgam, India — In a devastating act of violence, terrorists unleashed gunfire on a group of tourists atop the scenic Baisaran mountain in Pahalgam, part of the Anantnag district in Jammu and Kashmir, leading to numerous fatalities and injuries. The attack, occurring around 3 p.m. local time on Wednesday, is considered one of the most severe in the region targeting civilians in recent years.
Authorities report that an estimated 26 people have lost their lives, with at least 20 others wounded in the onslaught. The attackers, who remain unidentified, descended from their mountain positions, catching the tourists unawares in a location celebrated for its striking natural beauty, often likened to a ‘mini Switzerland.’
In response to the tragedy, security forces immediately commenced a comprehensive search and cordon operation in an effort to locate and neutralize the perpetrators. Meanwhile, those injured in the attack were swiftly transported to district medical facilities for urgent care.
Jammu and Kashmir’s Chief Minister Omar Abdullah voiced his dismay over the scale of the attack, underscoring its unprecedented nature against civilians during his tenure. “This attack is much larger than anything we’ve seen directed at civilians in recent years,” Abdullah stated in an official release.
President Droupadi Murmu, alongside denouncing the horrific act, labeled it as “dastardly and inhuman.” The President expressed profound sympathies with the families of the victims and sent hopes for a speedy recovery of the injured, categorizing the terrorist act as “utterly appalling and unpardonable.”
Echoing the President’s sentiments, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also strongly condemned the violent incident and reassured that every possible assistance was being rendered to the victims and their families. Determinedly, he affirmed that justice would be served upon those behind the attack, criticizing their “evil agenda.”
As the community grapples with the aftermath of the assault, the Jammu and Kashmir government has swiftly established a 24-hour Emergency Help Desk to aid tourists and provide necessary information and assistance, underscoring the authorities’ effort to manage the crisis and support terror-stricken visitors.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah briefed Prime Minister Modi about the severity of the incident before traveling to Srinagar for an urgent security review meeting with various agencies. Through these deliberations, measures are being outlined to reinforce security in the region and prevent future atrocities of this nature.
In the meantime, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, confirming the ongoing anti-terror operations, assured that the authorities are resolute in their commitment to thwart further threats and ensure justice. Additionally, Chief Minister Abdullah and Minister Sakina Itoo have been actively coordinating responses, including overseeing medical arrangements for the wounded.
The Pahalgam attack not only sends shockwaves through Jammu and Kashmir but also across the nation, uniting leadership and civilians alike in their condemnation and grief over the senseless violence aimed at innocent lives. As the nation mourns, the resolve to combat terrorism remains firmer than ever, with officials and citizens alike calling for swift action and remembrance of the lives tragically lost.