A terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, has been linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba commanders.
The attack occurred at Baisaran, a scenic meadow known as “mini Switzerland” for its lush landscapes, located about six kilometers from Pahalgam. Around 3 p.m. on Tuesday, terrorists opened fire at the popular tourist spot, resulting in the deaths of 26 people, including an Indian Navy officer and an Intelligence Bureau official.
Tourists who were enjoying pony rides, picnics, or relaxing at roadside stalls were taken by surprise when sudden gunfire erupted, causing widespread panic. Survivors said the attackers asked for names before shooting. In a harrowing account, a woman told PTI that her husband was shot in the head and seven others nearby were wounded. Footage from Pahalgam showed bodies on the ground as distraught family members cried out for help.
The Resistance Front (TRF), believed to be a front for the banned Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), has claimed responsibility for the attack. A large-scale search operation is underway, with the Army, CRPF, and Jammu and Kashmir Police sealing off the area. Helicopters were used to airlift the injured from the remote meadow, while locals assisted by carrying the wounded on ponies down the rough landscape to Pahalgam.
The Jammu and Kashmir administration has set up round-the-clock emergency control rooms in Anantnag and Srinagar. To assist stranded and bereaved families, civil aviation authorities have introduced special measures. Airlines such as Air India and IndiGo will operate extra flights to and from Srinagar and have removed cancellation and rescheduling charges. Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu has requested airlines to avoid surge pricing.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi cut short his two-day trip to Saudi Arabia due to the attack. Though he was initially set to return on Wednesday night, he flew back to New Delhi late Tuesday instead. Early this morning, upon arrival, he held a high-level meeting at the airport with NSA Ajit Doval, EAM S. Jaishankar, and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri to assess the situation.
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