In a horrifying act of violence that has sent shockwaves across the nation, 26 people—mostly tourists—were killed in a brutal terrorist assault in the serene meadows of Baisaran Valley near Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday. Several others were injured in the ambush that shattered the calm of one of Kashmir’s most picturesque destinations, often referred to as the “mini-Switzerland” of India.
The deadliest terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir since the 2019 Pulwama strike, occurred in the remote high-altitude region of the Anantnag district — a spot only reachable by trekking or horseback. The terrain made immediate rescue operations a logistical nightmare but helicopters were scrambled for aerial evacuation, while brave local residents stepped up with ponies to carry the injured down the steep trails.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi departed for India on Tuesday night after cutting short his two-day visit to Saudi Arabia in the wake of the deadly incident. Upon his arrival in India after cutting short his Saudi Arabia visit, Prime Minister Modi immediately convened a high-level briefing at the Palam Airport to assess the situation following the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir.
The urgent meeting included National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri.
According to sources, the leaders discussed the current ground reports, ongoing security operations, and diplomatic ramifications of the attack, which claimed the lives of 26 individuals and injured several others. A Navy officer from Haryana, Lieutenant Vinay Narwal (26), who got married on April 16 and was on leave, was among the victims.
The attack took place at Baisaran, a famed meadow about 6 km from the resort town of Pahalgam that is accessible only by foot or ponies, said officials, calling the killings “a massacre”. Police officials said the victims were shot from close range.
The attack is said to have been masterminded by The Resistance Front, a proxy for the Pakistani terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba, which was also responsible for the Pulwama strike. An official said the tourists belonged to different states, including Karnataka, Maharashtra, UP and Gujarat. He said the foreigners were from Nepal and the UAE.
In a statement, the Army said, “In a cowardly and heart-wrenching act of violence, terrorists opened fire on tourists and locals…. A joint anti-terror operation has been launched in Baisaran, Pahalgam and Anantnag.” The Army also said a candle march was organised by the residents in Sopore, Ganderbal, Handwara, Bandipora and other parts of Kashmir to condemn the killings.
Eyewitnesses said terrorists came into the grassland and started firing at tourists walking around eateries, taking pony rides or just picnicking. Early Wednesday morning, Air India issued a travel advisory announcing that the airline will be operating two additional flights from Srinagar to Delhi and Mumbai on Wednesday on social media platform X.
The flight from Srinagar to Delhi is scheduled at 11.30 am and from Srinagar to Mumbai is at 12 noon. Bookings for the flights are now open, according to the post.
Both US President Donald Trump and Vice-President JD Vance, who is on an official visit to India, condemned the attack, while Russian President Vladimir Putin wrote to President Droupadi Murmu and PM Narendra Modi, expressing condolences for the loss of lives and committing to increasing cooperation with India in fighting terrorism.
