At least one tourist was killed and 12-13 were reported to be injured after terrorists opened fire at a resort in Pahalgam, Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir, on Tuesday, police said. A senior official confirmed that the Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police have rushed to Baisaran meadows in the Pahalgam tourist town after shots were heard. A search operation is also underway.
Special Forces of the Indian Army have reached the mountaintop at Baisar in Pahalgam following the terror attack on tourists. The Army has not ruled out the possibility of a targeted killing. A massive cordon and search operation has been launched in the area to track down the terrorists involved.
Terrorists opened fire for about 3–5 minutes
Army officials are also trying to gather more details about the incident. So far, there have been no reports of an exchange of fire between the terrorists and the security forces.
As per the officials, terrorists opened fire for about 3 to 5 minutes before fleeing the scene. The number of injured could rise as security forces continue their operation and more details emerge. Rescue and medical teams are on the scene, and authorities are closely monitoring the situation.
A joint operation has been launched by the Indian Army's Victor Force, Special Forces, JKP SoG, and CRPF 116 Battalion. Officials have clarified that the incident did not occur along the Pahalgam–Doda axis.
List of injured
- Vino Bhat, resident of Gujarat
- Manik Patil
- Rino Pandey
- S. Balachandru, resident of Maharashtra
- Dr Parmeshwar
- Abhijavan Rao, resident of Karnataka
- Abhijavam Rao, resident of Karnataka
- Santru, a resident of Tamil Nadu
- Sahshi Kumari, resident of Orissa
J-K LG condemns 'cowardly' terror attack on tourists
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha condemned 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 & Security officials. Army and J-K Police teams have rushed to the area and launched search operations," he said in an X post.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said the death toll is still being ascertained. "The death toll is still being ascertained, so I don’t want to get in to 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 said.
Woman tourist claims that terrorists first asked her religion, then fired shots
A woman tourist has claimed that the terrorists involved in the Pahalgam attack first asked her name and religion before opening fire. "The terrorists first asked my name and religion, then shot me," recounted a female tourist, breaking down in tears as she described the harrowing attack in Pahalgam.
"My husband was shot in the head while seven others were also injured in the attack," a woman survivor told news agency PTI over the phone. The woman did not identify herself but pleaded for help in evacuating the injured to the hospital.