In a shocking incident, terrorists wounded 12 tourists in a violent attack in Baisaran Valley of Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. The attack was at the height of tourist season and mere weeks ahead of the start of the Amarnath Yatra.
Camouflaged armed militants opened fire on tourists in the upper meadows—an area accessible only by foot or horseback. Officials believe this was a targeted, deliberate attack, which has now raised heightened security issues in the area.
Gunfire in Baisaran: A Valley Becomes Violent
Gunfire suddenly erupted in the high meadows of Baisaran, disrupting the tranquility that typically characterizes the tourist destination. Panicked tourists ran for cover as bullets rang out in the hills.
Security personnel arrived at the scene within minutes. Medical teams took the injured away under challenging circumstances. Due to the remote nature of the valley, rescuers found it hard to reach victims promptly, which hindered the response.
Tourist Season Turns Deadly
Sadly, the timing could not have been worse. Thousands of tourists are already thronging Pahalgam, famous for its peaceful lakes and virgin forests. At the same time, arrangements are underway in full bloom for the Amarnath Yatra, which is about to start on July 3.
The 48-kilometre stretch between Pahalgam is one of the two official routes for the pilgrimage. This planned strike has now thrown a long shadow of fear over both religious faith and tourism in Kashmir.
Amit Shah’s Directives Face a Real-World Test
Earlier this month, Union Home Minister Amit Shah conducted a high-level security review in Jammu and Kashmir. He instructed agencies to root out terrorism and exercise zero tolerance for infiltration. However, this new incident directly tests those assurances.
The government will now have to respond as to why its plans did not keep this attack at bay. Obviously, there is still a gap between policy decisions and on-ground implementation.
Mehbooba Mufti Condemns Attack
Reacting swiftly, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti condemned the violence and called it “deeply disturbing.” She reminded the public that Kashmir has always greeted tourists with open arms.
I strongly condemn the cowardly attack on tourists in Pahalgam, which tragically killed five and injured several as being reported for now . Such violence is unacceptable and must be denounced.
Historically, Kashmir has welcomed tourists warmly, making this rare incident deeply…
— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) April 22, 2025
According to Mufti, this rare but shocking incident demands a thorough investigation. She stressed the need to uphold Kashmir’s legacy of hospitality while also ensuring that such incidents never recur. “Such violence is unacceptable,” she stated, urging both accountability and tighter preventive action.
Tourism, Faith, and Kashmir’s Delicate Stability
Beyond question, the terrorists picked their moment well. By attacking peaceful tourists, they sought to scuttle Kashmir’s revival—both as a tourism destination and a center of faith-based pilgrimage.
The valley only recently started healing from decades of strife. But such incidents could easily reverse hard-won trust and once again put Kashmir’s journey to peace on hold.
Reinforce Ground Security Before Yatra Starts
This was no spur-of-the-moment act. This was a planned signal. The administration now has to rethink its security policy, especially in inaccessible areas such as Baisaran. With the Amarnath Yatra just two months away, the government has to put foolproof mechanisms in place.
Safety has to become non-negotiable—not only for pilgrims, but for all visitors who enter the Valley.
