Pahalgam, India — A deadly attack targeted tourists in the scenic valley of Pahalgam in South Kashmir on Tuesday, resulting in multiple fatalities and injuries to at least 20 individuals, local officials reported. The incident, which unfolded around 3 PM in the popular Baisaran valley, known for its resemblance to the Swiss landscapes with lush green meadows, marks a severe escalation in violence against civilians in the region.
Authorities are still confirming the death toll, which remains uncertain at this time. “This attack is significantly more severe than any recent violence against civilians we have witnessed,” stated Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. The terrorists, reportedly descending from nearby mountains, opened fire indiscriminately on the tourists, causing chaos and panic at the busy site.
The violence coincided with the visit of US Vice President J D Vance, who was in Rajasthan with his family on a four-day official trip. Although far from the site of the attack, the timing has raised concerns about security measures during high-profile visits in India.
Disturbing visuals from the scene showed several victims lying on the ground, some motionless, while others were attended by frantic survivors. Women could be heard crying and searching desperately for loved ones in footage circulating online, though these reports could not be immediately independently verified.
Responding swiftly to the crisis, the Office of the Jammu & Kashmir Lieutenant Governor condemned the attack as cowardly. “I assure the people that those behind this despicable attack will not go unpunished,” read a statement released on social media platforms. Security forces, including the Army and Jammu & Kashmir Police, were deployed rapidly to the area and initiated a comprehensive search operation.
Chief Minister Abdullah expressed his shock and revulsion at the attack. “This attack on our visitors is an abomination. The perpetrators are inhuman and utterly contemptible,” he remarked, extending his deepest sympathies to the families of the deceased.
The attack comes amidst a resurgence of tourist activity in Kashmir, which had seen a decline due to longstanding militant activities. The region was just beginning to recover, with increased visitor numbers and the upcoming 38-day Amarnath pilgrimage, set to commence on July 3.
Following the attack, emergency services, including helicopter evacuations, were mobilized to assist the wounded. Local residents also helped in rescuing some of the injured using ponies to transport them from remote areas to medical facilities. According to a doctor at Pahalgam hospital, 12 of the injured tourists were stabilized and are receiving care.
“The terrorists appeared suddenly from the dense pine forests surrounding Baisaran, a location well-known to Bollywood filmmakers in the 1980s as a picturesque backdrop,” a senior police official reported, highlighting the unexpected nature of the attack.
As the investigation continues, security forces remain on high alert, and the local community and officials rally to support those affected by this tragic incident. The attack not only disrupts the peace and burgeoning tourism but also casts a shadow over the region’s efforts to showcase its natural beauty and cultural heritage as safe and welcoming.