SRINAGAR — A
tourist was killed and at least 12 other persons, including tourists &
locals, were injured in a terror attack in Pahalgam hill station in Jammu and
Kashmir's Anantnag district on Tuesday amid booming tourism in the Valley.
The tourist was killed, and other tourists and locals were
injured, when terrorists attacked a group of tourists in the Baisran area of
Pahalgam hill station.
As per reports, 2 to 3 terrorists wearing army fatigues came
and fired at horse-riding tourists in the Baisran area around 2.30 p.m. Baisran
is a small meadow 3 to 4 km from the Pahalgam market, and tourists take horses
to reach the place as there is no motorable road to it.
"One tourist was killed in this attack, and several
others, including tourists and locals, were injured. The injured have been
shifted to Pahalgam hospital, from where those with critical injuries were
shifted to Srinagar for specialised treatment," an official said, adding
that the area has been cordoned off by the security forces to trace the
assailants.
Sources said the casualty figure is feared to rise.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is currently in Saudi
Arabia, had a telephonic conversation with Union Home Minister Amit Shah in the
wake of the terror attack and asked him to take all suitable measures. The Home
Minister was also asked to visit the terror attack site.
The Home Minister called an emergency meeting to discuss the
Pahalgam terror attack.
"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. Will shortly leave
for Srinagar to hold an urgent security review meeting with all the
agencies", the Home Minister said in a post on X.
J&K Lt Governor Manoj Sinha expressed shock at the
incident, but assured that those responsible for the attack will be brought to
justice. "I strongly condemn the cowardly terror attack on tourists in
Pahalgam. I assure the people that those behind this despicable attack will not
go unpunished. Spoke to the DGP & Security officials. Army and
J&K Police teams have rushed to the area and launched search
operations", the LG said on X.
"I’m shocked beyond belief. This attack on our visitors
is an abomination. The perpetrators of this attack are animals, inhuman
& worthy of contempt. No words of condemnation are enough. “I send my
sympathies to the families of the deceased. I’ve spoken to my colleague
@sakinaitoo & she has moved to the hospital to oversee arrangements for
the injured. I’ll be flying back to Srinagar immediately. #Pahalgam",
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said in a post on X.
PDP President and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti
strongly condemned "the cowardly attack on tourists in Pahalgam".
"Such violence is unacceptable and must be denounced.
Historically, Kashmir has welcomed tourists warmly, making this rare incident
deeply concerning. A thorough investigation is needed to bring the perpetrators
to justice and examine potential security lapses. Ensuring visitor safety is
paramount, and steps must be taken to prevent future attacks. Our thoughts are
with the victims and their families," she posted on X.
This is the first terrorist attack on tourists in the
Kashmir Valley in 2025, even as a booming tourist season is presently going on
in the Valley. All hotels in Srinagar city, and the tourist resorts of
Pahalgam, Gulmarg and Sonamarg are fully occupied.
An unprecedented number of tourists are expected in
J&K this year and official projections forecast a number of around two
crores tourists would visit the UT this year. Tuesday’s attack comes at a time
when registration for this year’s Amarnath Yatra is going on across the
country.
This year, the Yatra will commence on July 3 and conclude on
August 9, coinciding with the Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan festivals,
respectively.
During his visit to J&K last month, the Union Home
Minister chaired a high-level security review meeting, where he gave orders for
the complete eradication of terrorism with special focus on the Jammu division.
He also gave directions to ensure zero tolerance to infiltration.
