Terrorists open fire on tourists in Pahalgam; at least 1 dead, 12 injured
CM Omar Abdullah says he is “shocked beyond belief” and would fly back to Srinagar at once; local offshoot of LeT claims responsibility
At least 12 tourists were injured in a terrorist attack in Pahalgam in Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday (April 22).
India Today reported that one person was killed in the shooting. The Resistance Front, a local offshoot of the Pakistan-based terror group Laskhar-e-Taiba, has reportedly claimed responsibility for the attack.
The attack took place at Baisaran, a meadow some 5 km from Pahalgam and accessible only by foot or ponies. The group of tourists had gone visiting there on Tuesday morning, news agency PTI reported citing officials in the know.
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Husband shot in the head, says tourist
According to an eyewitness, unidentified gunmen opened fire on the tourists from close range, resulting in injuries to several persons.
“My husband was shot in the head while seven others were also injured in the attack,” a woman survivor told PTI over phone.
The woman did not identify herself but pleaded for help in evacuating the injured to the hospital.
According to India Today, the attack took place around 2.30 pm, when the terrorists, dressed in camouflage fatigues, opened fire on the tourists.
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Shocked beyond belief, says Omar
Jammu-Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah posted on X: “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.”
He said he had spoken to a colleague and she was overseeing the arrangements for the injured in hospital. “I’ll be flying back to Srinagar immediately,” Abdullah added in the post.
He posted another tweet saying the “death toll [was] still being ascertained”. “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.
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Mehbooba says 5 dead
J-K LG Manoj Sinha 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. Spoke to the DGP and security officials. Army and J&K Police teams have rushed to the area and launched search operations.”
PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti also condemned the attack. “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,” she posted on X.
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Forces begin flush-out operations
The authorities pressed a chopper into service for the evacuation of the injured, the officials told PTI, adding some of the wounded were brought down from the meadows by local people on their ponies.
A doctor at the Pahalgam hospital said 12 injured tourists were admitted there and the condition of all of them was stable.
Security forces rushed to Baisaran meadows after sounds of gunfire were heard, a senior police official said. They have cordoned off the area and are carrying out flush-out operations.
Ahead of Amarnath Yatra
The incident comes when Kashmir is witnessing a surge in tourist arrivals after reeling under militancy for years.
Also, the 38-day Amarnath pilgrimage is scheduled to begin on July 3. Lakhs of pilgrims from across the country travel to the cave shrine from the twin routes — the traditional 48-km Pahalgam route in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district and the 14-km shorter but steep Baltal route in Ganderbal district.
(With agency inputs)