26 Killed, Including Tourists and Two Foreign Nationals—Biggest Valley Attack Since Pulwama
New Delhi — In a deeply disturbing turn of events, a brutal terror attack rocked Kashmir’s scenic Pahalgam town on Tuesday, killing at least 26 people—mostly tourists enjoying the summer season. According to top sources, Pakistani terror groups had done a full-blown recce of popular tourist spots in Kashmir earlier this month, raising serious questions about security lapses.
The attack is now being dubbed the deadliest in the Valley since the 2019 Pulwama suicide bombing.
Recce Mission Exposed: Hotels Were Targeted Early April
Sources in intelligence agencies say members of Pakistani terror outfits, likely linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba, surveyed hotels and tourist hubs in Pahalgam between April 1 and 7. The attackers reportedly scoped out vulnerable spots, especially areas packed with visitors.
While Lashkar is suspected of orchestrating the attack, its shadow front—The Resistance Front (TRF)—was quick to claim responsibility.
Security forces are now investigating whether the attackers had any local support and how they managed to slip past layers of security.
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How the Attack Went Down
Around 2:30 pm on Tuesday, a group of two to three terrorists showed up near Baisaran, a lush meadow near Pahalgam often referred to as “Mini Switzerland.” They reportedly asked tourists for their names and ID cards before opening fire indiscriminately. Over 50 rounds were fired in just minutes.
Among the victims were two foreign nationals and two locals. An off-duty Army officer who was visiting with his family reportedly helped shield people and dodged bullets in the chaos.
Eyewitnesses say it was pure panic: people running, ducking for cover, trying to find their loved ones.
Massive Security Response, Top Brass On Ground
Soon after the shooting, Army personnel, CRPF units, and local police rushed to the scene. A massive anti-terror operation is underway, with troops fanning out across nearby areas to hunt down the attackers.
Back in Delhi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah immediately called an emergency meeting with top security and intelligence officials. He later flew to Srinagar, along with Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, to personally monitor the situation.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was also briefed and has spoken directly with Shah to stay updated.
Why This Attack Hits Hard
This wasn’t just another terror strike—it was a targeted massacre of tourists, meant to hit Kashmir’s tourism lifeline right as the season was taking off. Baisaran is a go-to destination for families and filmmakers, often flooded with visitors during summer.
With 26 dead and many others injured, the toll may rise, officials say. It’s a grim reminder of the region’s volatile past and how fragile peace still is.
What’s Next?
Security agencies are working around the clock to track down those responsible. Meanwhile, questions are mounting about intelligence failures, hotel security, and how terrorists managed to pull off such a coordinated strike in a heavily patrolled area.
Tourism in Kashmir had been seeing a rebound post-COVID, but attacks like this threaten to undo years of progress.
