A peaceful moment turned tragic for a group of tourists in Jammu and Kashmir’s scenic Pahalgam, as gunmen opened fire on them, killing one and injuring at least twelve others. The terror attack unfolded in Baisaran Valley on Tuesday, a remote and picturesque area accessible only by foot or horseback.
One of the witnesses, who was clearly shaken, described the chilling incident: “We were just eating bhelpuri. and then he killed my husband,” she said, shaking as she described the gruesome sequence of events. In her account, the shooter asked her husband about his religion before shooting him. “The gunman told my husband that he was not a Muslim and then shot him,” she said, trying to make sense of the trauma.
Desperate Pleas for Assistance Caught on Camera
Gruesome images of the attack aftermath have emerged on the internet. In one of the videos, a woman cries hysterically and begs for assistance. “Please save my husband,” she screams over and over, her voice almost inaudible through her tears. The man filming tries to comfort her as mayhem rages on around them. Two men can be seen a little distance away, lying in puddles of blood, unresponsive.
A second video shows a woman caring for a badly wounded man. She begs of him: “Sir, please, please, please ask for help,” her desperation evident as she struggles to keep him alive.
Attack Claimed by Lashkar-linked Group
The Resistance Front (TRF), a faction of the banned terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba, has taken responsibility for the attack. The TRF has been responsible for various violent attacks in the area, with security forces blaming the group for recent unrest.
Baisaran Valley, a favorite tourist destination for its stunning vistas, became an area of carnage and terror all of a sudden. The militants, allegedly dressed in fatigues, targeted the unsuspecting tourists, raining bullets on them indiscriminately.
Security Forces Initiate Search Operation
Security forces immediately reached the site after the attack and initiated a search operation to pursue the terrorists. The hilly terrain and lack of accessibility of the area caused difficulties for the emergency response team.
The victims were evacuated promptly from the scene and transferred to local hospitals. Medical personnel certified that twelve tourists had been injured, and a man had died due to gunshot injuries.
Political Outrage and Condemnation
The incident has attracted strong condemnation from political leaders. Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) leader Mehbooba Mufti condemned the outrage on social media.
“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 tweeted on X.
Citizens and civil society organizations have echoed her views, insisting that such attacks on innocent civilians need to be taken seriously.
Tourist-Targeted Violence on the Rise Raises Alarm
This incident has sent alarm about a potential change in tactics by terror groups operating in the Kashmir Valley. Attacks on tourists, particularly in well-known destinations such as Pahalgam, could severely hurt the region’s tourism-based economy and public morale.
Security experts hypothesize that such focused violence could be designed to disrupt peace initiatives and create fear among foreign visitors.
Human Tragedy In The Midst Of A Greater Crisis
At the core of the tragedy are the lives that were ruptured in a split second. The survivor’s tearful testimony has drawn national attention, highlighting the vicious truth of those in the midst of terrorism crossfire.
Her husband, who had just moments before relaxed with a humble snack among his family, was the victim of violence based on hate. His only offense, she argues, was his faith.
This terror attack in Pahalgam not only reflects the existing security threats to Jammu and Kashmir but also brings to light the immediate necessity for more stringent protective measures for tourists. It demands a collective effort against terror, with both political will and social solidarity being necessary to prevent such tragedies from recurring.
As the nation weeps at the loss of yet another innocent life and while investigations are still ongoing, the voice of the survivor, meanwhile, serves as a haunting reminder of the heavy price that ordinary people pay in times of conflict.
