A peaceful evening turned into a nightmare for a group of tourists in Jammu and Kashmir's picturesque Pahalgam when gunmen opened fire in a shocking terror attack that left one dead and several others critically injured. Among the survivors was a woman who witnessed her husband being shot at point-blank range.
“We were just having bhelpuri... and then he shot my husband,” she recalled, her voice trembling as she relived the trauma. Still in visible shock, she added, “The gunman said my husband was not a Muslim and then shot him.”
Her account offers a chilling insight into the brutal attack that unfolded on Tuesday in the popular Baisaran valley — a serene, grassy meadow accessible only by foot or horseback, known for its scenic beauty and a favorite among visitors.
Panic, chaos, and desperation
Videos from the scene paint a distressing picture of the immediate aftermath. In one clip, a woman can be seen sobbing uncontrollably, her desperate cries echoing as she begged for help. “Please save my husband,” she repeated over and over, her voice hoarse from crying, barely audible over the confusion around her.
Nearby, two men lay on the ground, bloodied and motionless, as the person recording the video attempted to comfort the panicked woman while trying to understand the horror that had just unfolded.
In another heart-wrenching video, a woman is seen cradling an injured man, her voice cracking as she pleads, “Sir, please, please, please ask for help.” Her urgency underscored the dire situation as victims lay scattered in the open without immediate medical assistance.
The attack took place in Baisaran valley, a high-altitude meadow a few kilometers from the main town of Pahalgam in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district. Witnesses reported that the assailants — dressed in fatigues — suddenly opened fire on the group of tourists without warning.
Twelve people were reported injured in the attack, and one tourist tragically lost his life. Security forces rushed to the area shortly after receiving reports of the firing.
The terror outfit The Resistance Front (TRF), believed to be an offshoot of the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), has claimed responsibility for the ambush. The attack is being viewed as a calculated attempt to target civilians and disrupt peace in the region, particularly as tourist footfall rises in Kashmir during the summer months.
The incident has sparked widespread outrage and condemnation. Former Chief Minister and People's Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti took to social media to express her grief and denounce the act.
“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 wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Following the attack, security across Pahalgam and adjoining tourist zones has been tightened. Search operations are underway in the Baisaran valley and surrounding forested areas to trace the attackers. Local authorities have also issued advisories urging tourists to remain vigilant and avoid secluded routes.
This terror attack comes as a grim reminder of the challenges still facing Kashmir despite ongoing efforts to restore normalcy and promote tourism. It has once again highlighted the vulnerability of civilians in conflict-affected zones and the need for stronger security frameworks in high-footfall tourist regions.
Also Read: Terrorists gun down 26 tourists in Kashmir, many injured
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