Srinagar, Apr 22: Terrorists on Tuesday carried out a major carnage in this world famous tourist destination in Kashmir by targeting tourists and vacationers, leaving at least 28 people dead and critically injured about a dozen more.
The massive attack, suspected to have been carried out by a terror outfit based in Pakistan, came significantly at a time when US Vice President JD Vance is on a visit to India.
The biggest terror attack in Kashmir since the February 2019 strike at CRPF convoy targeted tourists who were enjoying the beauty of Baisaran meadow, a picturesque but non-motorable location a couple of kilometres away from the main town of Pahalgam today afternoon.
According to eye-witnesses, the terrorists were 4 in number and specifically targeted the tourists from various parts of the country. They included women and children.
While there was no official word on the number of casualties, sources confirmed that at least 28 people were killed and nearly 12 injured. The slain people included two foreigners and two locals.
A police officer said the site of the incident was not accessible by vehicles and security forces were rushed to the spot on foot.
Pallavi, a tourist from Shivamoga in Karnataka, whose 48-year-old husband Manjunath was killed in the attack, said, “It still feels like a bad dream”.
“Three to four people attacked us… I think, it happened around 1.30 pm….,” said Pallavi, who along with her husband and a minor son were here on a vacation.
“He (Manjunath) died on the spot, in front of my eyes. I told them – kill me too. You’ve already killed my husband. One of them said, ‘I won’t kill you. Go tell this to Modi’,” she added.
Considering the gravity of the attack, Union Home Minister Amit Shah rushed from Delhi to Kashmir in the evening to hold a security review meeting.
Earlier, Shah briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi who is on an official visit to Saudi Arabia from today.
Both the Prime Minister and the Home Minister vowed that the perpetrators of the crime would not be spared.
Modi, in a post on X, strongly condemned the attack and said “those behind this heinous act will be brought to justice. They will not be spared! Their evil agenda will never succeed.”
He added, “Our resolve to fight terrorism is unshakable and it will get even stronger.”
The Prime Minister also expressed condolences to the families who lost their dear ones and said all possible assistance is being provided to those affected.
J&K Lt Governor Manoj Sinha who oversees security and law and order in the Union Territory, said that a search operation has been launched to trace the attackers.
This is the first major terror attack in J&K since 2019.
The last major terror attack took place on February 14, 2019 when a local suicide bomber Adil Dar of Jaish-e-Mohammad rammed his explosive-laden car into CRPF bus at Lethpora Pulwama leaving 40 personnel of the force dead. The attack was followed by Balakote air strikes.
A day later Pakistan retaliated and it triggered a brief dogfight. The Pulwama attack had brought India and Pakistan at the brink of war.
In July 2017, eight pilgrims on the way from Amarnath Cave were killed and over a dozen were injured in a terror attack in south of Kashmir.
Those behind heinous act will not be spared: PM Modi
Cuts short his Saudi visit, PM to leave for India tonight
New Delhi, Apr 22: Condemning the terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 people, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that those behind the heinous act will be brought to justice.
In a post on X, the prime minister said, “They (terrorists) will not be spared! Their evil agenda will never succeed. Our resolve to fight terrorism is unshakable and it will get even stronger.”
Modi also conveyed his condolences to those who lost their loved ones in the attack.
“I pray that the injured recover at the earliest. All possible assistance is being provided to those affected,” he said.
Modi also spoke to Home Minister Amit Shah following the attack and asked him to take all suitable steps to deal with the situation.
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who arrived in Saudi Arabia on a two-day visit earlier today, has cut short his trip, government sources said, after a terror attack in Pahalgam reportedly killed 26 people. The Prime Minister will leave for India tonight and is expected to arrive early on Wednesday, according to government sources.
PM Modi skipped an official dinner hosted by Saudi Arabia in Jeddah, government sources said. As part of his visit, he was scheduled to meet Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammad bin Salman.
The Prime Minister was originally scheduled to return to India from Saudi Arabia on Wednesday night.
The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) is likely to take place on Wednesday morning after PM Modi returns from Saudi Arabia.
Home Minister reaches Srinagar, chairs high-level security review
New Delhi, April 22: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday chaired a high-level security meeting with all the agencies following the Pahalgam terror attack.
Home Minister reached Srinagar in the evening for the security review meeting.
He said earlier that those involved in this dastardly act of terror will not be spared. Amit Shah also briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the incident.
“Anguished by the terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. My thoughts are with the family members of the deceased. Those involved in this dastardly act of terror will not be spared, and we will come down heavily on the perpetrators with the harshest consequences. Briefed PM Shri @narendramodi Ji about the incident and held a meeting with the concerned officials via video conferencing,” the Home Minister said in a post on X.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also briefed the Union Home Minister over the Pahalgam terrorist attack. LG Manoj Sinha and other high-level officials were also present in the meeting.
The Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police have launched a search operation in the general area of Baisran, Pahalgam, Anantnag to nab the perpetrators of the attack.
Candle marches were organised at several places in Jammu and Kashmir by local people against the terrorist attack on tourists in Pahalgam.
“On 22 April 2025, in a cowardly and heart-wrenching act of violence terrorists opened fire on innocent tourists and locals. In the immediate aftermath, Joint Forces are overseeing the situation. Medical teams were swiftly mobilized and casualty evacuation commenced,” Chinar Corps said in a post on X.
“In response to this senseless violence and the anguish caused to local sentiments, candle march was organised in Sopore, Ganderbal, Handwara, Bandipora and other parts of Kashmir by local populace. A Joint Search Operation has been launched by the #IndianArmy and @JmuKmrPolice in the general area of Baisran, Pahalgam, Anantnag. The search operation is currently in progress, with all efforts focused on bringing the attackers to justice,” it added.
