A serene afternoon in one of Kashmir’s most cherished tourist spots turned tragic today after terrorists opened fire on a group of visitors in the upper reaches of Baisaran Valley, Pahalgam. Initial reports suggest 27 dead and at least five to seven tourists are reported to have sustained injuries in the attack.
According to officials, the assailants, believed to be in camouflage, targeted a group of tourists in Baisaran a scenic meadow only reachable by foot or horseback. Gunshots were first heard in the area around noon, following which security forces and emergency medical personnel rushed to the scene.
This suspected terror attack comes at a sensitive time for the region, coinciding with the beginning of peak tourist season in Kashmir and ongoing preparations for the annual Amarnath Yatra. The 38-day pilgrimage is scheduled to commence on July 3, via two main routes: the 48-km trail through Pahalgam in Anantnag and a 14-km route via Baltal in Ganderbal. Both tracks are expected to see thousands of pilgrims, heightening concerns about security in the region.
Injured Tourists Are From Rajasthan
Initial reports indicate that some of the injured tourists may be from Rajasthan. The Jammu and Kashmir Police have confirmed that at least four to five people were hurt, including some locals.
Security agencies suspect that the attackers aimed to create panic and derail the upcoming yatra by targeting areas popular with tourists. The operation to locate and neutralise the perpetrators is currently underway, and the entire Baisaran Valley has been cordoned off.
The Jammu and Kashmir National Council party also responded swiftly to the incident. Party spokesperson Umesh Talashi posted on X (formerly Twitter), confirming the attack and requesting immediate intervention from Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and other state leaders.
Victim’s Pleads for Help
A distraught woman, overwhelmed with emotion, desperately begged for help to save her husband after witnessing a horrifying shooting incident targeting tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed one life.
Through her sobs, she repeatedly cried out, “Please save my husband,” her remaining words lost in anguish as she struggled to speak through her tears.
Tension Rise Amid Infiltration Fears
The broader security context in the Union Territory has remained tense in recent weeks. Heightened alerts had already been issued following provocative comments from Pakistan’s Army Chief, raising fears of cross-border infiltration attempts. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, during a recent visit to Jammu and Kashmir, had emphasised a zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism and instructed law enforcement agencies to intensify surveillance especially in vulnerable zones like pilgrimage routes.
Tourism officials and security personnel now fear that the incident might impact the state’s tourism prospects and disrupt upcoming religious gatherings. A senior police officer described the attack as a “deliberate provocation meant to instill fear,” but reaffirmed that authorities are prepared to ensure the safety of tourists and pilgrims.
As the rescue and investigation operations continue in Pahalgam, officials have urged the public to remain calm and avoid speculation until more verified details emerge.
