Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir – April 22, 2025 — In one of the deadliest attacks on civilians in Jammu and Kashmir in recent years, 26 people were killed when gunmen opened fire on tourists at the picturesque Baisaran meadow, often called “mini Switzerland,” around 2:30 PM on Tuesday.
The Resistance Front (TRF) — a proxy of the Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) — has claimed responsibility for the brutal assault. A chilling image from the attack site captured one of the assailants, dressed in a grey kurta-pajama and wielding an AK-47, moments before the carnage unfolded.
Eyewitnesses described a terrifying scene of chaos as gunfire echoed across the open meadow. “There was no place to hide,” said one survivor. Bodies lay scattered on the grassland as women screamed and locals scrambled to help the wounded.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was in Saudi Arabia at the time of the attack, cut short his trip and returned to Delhi early Wednesday. Strongly condemning the attack, he vowed that the perpetrators “will not be spared.”
Union Home Minister Amit Shah convened a high-level security meeting in the aftermath and is expected to visit Pahalgam shortly to assess the situation on the ground. Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah called the assault an “abomination,” while former CM Mehbooba Mufti labeled it a “heinous act” that must be universally condemned.
Security forces have since launched intensive search and cordon operations across the region to locate and neutralize the attackers. Early intelligence reports suggest the group had conducted pre-attack reconnaissance, possibly with support from local elements.
The attack has drawn widespread outrage from political leaders and the general public alike, with many calling for stricter security protocols and a renewed crackdown on terror networks operating across the border.
As the nation mourns this tragic loss of innocent lives, authorities reaffirm their commitment to justice and the safety of both residents and tourists in Jammu and Kashmir.
(This story is published from a syndicated feed)