1 tourist killed, 12 injured in J&K’s Pahalgam, Lashkar front TRF claims attack

A rare terror attack aimed at tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, resulted in one death and twelve injuries. The assault occurred at approximately 2:30 pm on Tuesday afternoon when a group of armed terrorists, wearing military uniforms, began shooting at tourists in the Baisaran meadow of Pahalgam.

Images from the location of the assault revealed bodies scattered about and several women weeping in anguish while bystanders hurried to help them. A witness reported that unknown shooters fired at the tourists at close range, causing injuries to multiple individuals .

The Baisaran meadow can be found approximately 5 kilometers from Pahalgam hill station and is reachable solely by foot or ponies. Law enforcement officials sealed off the vicinity shortly after the assault. The Resistance Front, a regional faction of the Pakistan-based terrorist organization Laskhar-e-Taiba, took responsibility for the assault.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke on the phone with Union Home Minister Amit Shah regarding the Pahalgam terrorist attack and urged him to implement all necessary actions. He additionally requested Amit Shah to go to the location.

After the terror attack, Amit Shah convened a high-level meeting. The Home Secretary, along with senior officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Intelligence Bureau, is attending the meeting. Officials from Jammu and Kashmir, including the Director General of Police (DGP), are participating in the meeting online.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and wrote 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. I’ve spoken to my colleague @sakinaitoo & she has moved to the hospital to oversee arrangements for the injured. I’ll be flying back to Srinagar immediately.”

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also returned to Srinagar from Ramban, following the terrorist attack on tourists.

The Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha, took to X and wrote, “Directed the district administration and the 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.”

Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and People’s Democratic Party chief Mehbooba Mufti condemned the attack. “I strongly condemn the cowardly attack on tourists in Pahalgam, which tragically killed one and injured several. Such violence is unacceptable and must be denounced,” she wrote on X.

She added, “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.”