Kashmir Terror Attack: At least 26 Killed After Terrorists Open Fire On Tourists In Pahalgam; J&K Seethes, Shuts In Protest

Srinagar: In one of the deadliest terror attacks in the history of Jammu and Kashmir, at least 26 persons, mostly tourists, were reportedly shot dead by terrorists in Baisaran Valley of Pahalgam in Anantnag district on Tuesday. Several other tourists, who have been injured, are undergoing treatment at various hospitals.

The slain included a Navy and an Intelligence Bureau officer, both of whom were visiting Kashmir as tourists along with their families, as well as two locals and as many foreign nationals, though the authorities have not officially shared any information on the number of fatalities.

The dastardly attack shook the entire nation, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi cutting short his official visit to Saudi Arabia and returning to India early Wednesday morning while Union Home Minister Amit Shah rushed to Srinagar to assess the situation.

The terror attack, nothing short of a massacre, was carried out just two months ahead of the Amarnath Yatra, which sees lakhs of devotees taking the route to the Holy Cave around each year.

The tourists who survived the attack said terrorists fired indiscriminately, leaving dozens dead and wounded in the vast meadow of Baisaran, around 3.5 kilometres away from Pahalgam. As per the inputs received by ETV Bharat, Indian Navy Officer Lieutenant Vinay Narwal and his wife lost their lives in the terror attack.

Infographic on terror attack on tourists in Jammu and Kashmir (ETV Bharat)

Another victim was identified as an Intelligence Bureau officer, Manish Ranjan, from Hyderabad. Ranjan, a native of Bihar, was on a Leave Travel Concession visit with his family when the attack took place. As per sources in the IB, the officer was killed in front of his wife and children. Ranjan had been working in the ministerial section of the IB’s Hyderabad bureau for the last two years.

The list of those killed also included Manjunath Rao, a realtor from Karnataka's Shivamogga district who had gone for a summer vacation with his wife and son. In one of the videos from the spot, his wife can be seen speaking to their relatives over the phone in Kannada that Rao suffered bullet injuries to his head and had died. Another victim, Prashant Satpathy from Odisha's Balasore, had also been to the valley on a vacation when he was fatally shot in the head. As per sources, the attack has claimed the lives of 26 people.

Five From Maharashtra Killed

Following reports of the death of five tourists from Maharashtra in the terror attack in Pahalgam, Deputy CM Eknath Shinde had a phone conversation with Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu regarding arrangements to bring them back to the state.

"During the conversation, Shinde requested Naidu to arrange a special flight to bring back the tourists from Maharashtra who are stranded in Jammu and Kashmir. Accepting the request, Naidu assured that once a list of the stranded tourists is provided, arrangements will be made to bring them to Mumbai via a special flight," stated DCMO.

Terrorist Fired Indiscriminately Using Automatic Weapons

According to eyewitnesses, terrorists opened fire on the tourists who had stopped for a snack break in Baisaran at around 2:30 PM. They said the terrorists boxed the tourists from three sides and opened fire from their automatic rifles before fleeing from the spot.

A video shot by a local showed a distraught woman seeking help, asking him to save her husband. At least one slain tourist could be seen in the video, while another one was injured.

Since Baisaran can only be accessed on foot or ponies, it was difficult to immediately rush the injured to the hospital. Locals, especially the ponywallas, helped bring the injured down from the meadows to the spot where they were then shifted to hospitals.

While most of those injured were taken to Anantnag district hospital, many of the critically injured were rushed to Srinagar’s SMHS hospital.

Visuals showed tourist vehicles stuck in a gridlock on the Pahalgam road along the Lidder river at the tourist destination, as ambulances of the health department passed by.

The Kashmir Zone Police or the District Police Anantnag has yet to release any official statement on the terror attack.

J&K Shutdown Today

In the aftermath of the incident, the Chamber & Bar Association Jammu has called for a complete shutdown on Wednesday in protest against the horrific Pahalgam terror attack.

"I appeal to all Kashmiris to unite in solidarity to support this bandh as a mark of respect for the innocent lives lost in the brutal assault in Pahalgam. This isn’t just an attack on a select few —it is an attack on all of us. We stand together in grief and outrage & strongly support this shutdown to condemn the massacre of innocents," said PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti.

The Mutahida Majlis Ulema (MMU) has also called for a shutdown in the valley in solidarity against the attack.

"Another day of carnage in the blood-soaked history of Kashmir, when visiting tourists in a most gruesome manner are mercilessly killed. Hapless people of Kashmir know the pain and grief of such tragedies for those who have lost their loved ones today. Such gruesomeness is abhorred in Islam, which is essentially a religion of peace and goodwill, and against all human ethics. The Islamic fraternity of Jammu and Kashmir, through MMU in support and solidarity with the bereaved families of those killed, appeals to people of Jammu Kashmir to peacefully protest this heinous crime tomorrow by a shutdown," appealed Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Chairman All Parties Hurriyat Conference on X.

Amit Shah In Srinagar

Union Home Minister Amit Shah flew to Srinagar soon after the attack and held an urgent security review meeting with all the security agencies.

Shah also briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was in Jeddah, over the telephone regarding the incident. During the telephonic conversation, PM Modi directed Shah to visit the valley and take necessary action in this regard.

Before leaving for Srinagar, Shah chaired a high-level meeting at North Block in Delhi. Home secretary Govind Mohan, senior officials from the home ministry, CRPF DGP GP Singh, Intelligence Bureau (IB) Chief Tapan Deka and several others joined the meeting. Jammu and Kashmir’s Director General of Police and other officials joined virtually to assess the situation on the ground.

World Leaders Condemn Pahalgam Attack

Major world leaders, including US President Donald Trump, his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, and Italian PM Giorgia Meloni, among others, condemned the dastardly terror attack in Pahalgam and expressed their support for India in its fight against terrorism.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was in Jeddah when the attack took place, offered condolences to the families of the victims and said the perpetrators will be brought to justice.

“Those behind this heinous act will be brought to justice...they will not be spared! Their evil agenda will never succeed. Our resolve to fight terrorism is unshakable, and it will get even stronger,” PM Modi said in the post on X.

In his post on Truth Social, President Trump said, “Deeply disturbing news out of Kashmir. The United States stands strong with India against terrorism. We pray for the souls of those lost, and for the recovery of the injured. Prime Minister Modi, and the incredible people of India, have our full support and deepest sympathies. Our hearts are with you all."

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump “will be speaking with PM Modi as soon as he possibly can to express his heartfelt condolences for those lost.”

A US State Department spokesperson said they were monitoring reports. “The United States condemns terrorism unequivocally. At this time, we are unaware of any US citizens who are victims of the attack,” the spokesperson said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin also expressed condolences for the "brutal crime" and called for "deserved punishment" for the perpetrators.

Political Leaders Condemn Attack

Political leaders in Kashmir have condemned the attack, expressing condolences. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has strongly condemned the terrorist attack, assuring that those responsible will be brought to justice.

In a post on X, the LG said, “I strongly condemn the cowardly terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam. I assure the people that those behind this despicable attack will not go unpunished.”

He said that he has spoken to the DGP and security officials, and that the Army and J&K Police teams have rushed to the area and launched search operations.

“Directed the district administration and health officials to provide immediate medical attention to those admitted at Pahalgam. An injured tourist has been evacuated to GMC Anantnag. I pray for the speedy recovery of all the injured,” he said.

"I’m shocked beyond belief. This attack on our visitors is an abomination. The perpetrators of this attack are animals, inhuman & worthy of contempt. No words of condemnation are enough. I send my sympathies to the families of the deceased. I’ve spoken to my colleague Sakina Itoo & she has moved to the hospital to oversee arrangements for the injured. I’ll be flying back to Srinagar immediately," Chief Minister Omar Abdullah wrote in a post.

"The death toll is still being ascertained so I don’t want to get into those details. They will be officially conveyed as the situation becomes clearer. Needless to say this attack is much larger than anything we’ve seen directed at civilians in recent years," he added.

"I strongly condemn the cowardly attack on tourists in Pahalgam, which tragically killed five and injured several as being reported for now . Such violence is unacceptable and must be denounced. Historically, Kashmir has welcomed tourists warmly, making this rare incident deeply concerning. A thorough investigation is needed to bring the perpetrators to justice and examine potential security lapses. Ensuring visitor safety is paramount, and steps must be taken to prevent future attacks. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families," PDP President Mehbooba Mufti said.

Police Sets Up Help Desk For Tourists

Following the attack on tourists in Pahalgam, the District Police Anantnag has established a round-the-clock emergency help desk for tourists at the Police Control Room Anantnag.

"A dedicated help desk has been established at the Police Control Room, Anantnag to assist tourists requiring assistance or information," a police spokesperson said in a post on X.

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9596777669 01932225870

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Senior Officers From Karnataka Rush To Kashmir

Karnataka Chief Minister on Tuesday evening dispatched a team of officials led by senior IPS officer R Chethan to Kashmir for helping Kannadigas who have been attacked by terrorists.

Immediately after the news of the terror attack on tourists, including a few from Karnataka, spread, Siddaramaiah held a meeting with senior police officials and instructed them to extend all necessary help to Kannadigas who were injured in the attack.

He also instructed the Commissioner of Karnataka Bhavan, New Delhi, to coordinate with the Kannadigas tourists till the team of officials reached Kashmir.

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