At least 24 tourists tragically lost their lives and several others were injured after unidentified assailants opened fire at the popular Baisaran meadow near Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday afternoon.
The attack occurred around 2:30 p.m. while a group of visitors was gathered at the scenic Baisaran mountaintop, located approximately five kilometers from Pahalgam and reachable only by foot or pony ride.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of sheer panic and chaos as gunfire erupted, with locals rushing to help the wounded. Harrowing visuals from the area showed bodies lying on the grass and distraught tourists crying for help. Several injured individuals were quickly transported to nearby medical facilities, including GMC Anantnag for more critical cases.
Security forces reached the location soon after the attack, cordoned off the site, and launched a search operation to locate the shooters.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah was promptly briefed by senior officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Intelligence Bureau. He chaired an emergency high-level meeting and is expected to visit Srinagar later on Tuesday to assess the situation and meet with security forces.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also spoke with the Home Minister and called for robust measures to protect civilians. “My condolences go out to the families of the victims. The perpetrators will face the harshest punishment,” Shah stated on social media.
Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed profound sorrow over the attack, calling it “an abomination.” He added that a senior party member had already reached the hospital to assist the injured and that he was returning to Srinagar immediately.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha directed local officials and medical teams to provide full support to the victims. “One of the injured tourists has been evacuated to GMC Anantnag. I hope for a speedy recovery for all those affected,” he said.
Former Chief Minister and Peoples Democratic Party leader Mehbooba Mufti also condemned the act, labeling it “cowardly.” She emphasized Kashmir’s longstanding tradition of warmly welcoming tourists and called the incident particularly heartbreaking. Mufti demanded a thorough investigation and urged authorities to identify any lapses in security.
Although no group has claimed responsibility, targeted attacks of this nature have occasionally occurred in the region, especially during the summer tourism peak, despite a general decline in violence in recent years.
A similar attack in June of the previous year targeted a tourist bus and resulted in multiple casualties. Analysts warn that incidents like this threaten recent progress in restoring peace and revitalizing the tourism-dependent economy of the region.
Pahalgam, known for its breathtaking views, attracts thousands of tourists each summer. This latest tragedy has raised fresh concerns for both travelers and local businesses striving to revive Kashmir’s social and economic stability.
