A tragic terror strike shook the busy Pahalgam hill station in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag district on Tuesday, killing one tourist and injuring 12 others, including tourists and local residents, officials confirmed.
The attack occurred at the Baisran region of Pahalgam, a picturesque meadow which is about 3 to 4 kilometers away from the central market and accessible only on horseback since there is no motorable road. In early reports, between 2:30 p.m., two or three terrorists clad in army attire opened fire at a batch of tourists who were riding horses.
"Among the killed is one tourist and 12 others — nine tourists and three residents — who were injured in the attack," said an official. The wounded were taken to Pahalgam hospital, of whom three severely injured were later transferred to Srinagar for further treatment. Security forces cordoned off the area immediately after and launched a manhunt to find the assailants.
Conveying profound sorrow, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah tweeted on X: "I'm beyond belief shocked. This attack on our guests is an abomination. The perpetrators of this attack are animals, inhuman & deserving of contempt. No words of condemnation are sufficient. I offer my condolences to the families of the victims. I've spoken to my colleague @sakinaitoo & she has gone to the hospital to coordinate arrangements for the injured.". I will return to Srinagar by air straight away. #Pahalgam"
Former Chief Minister and PDP President Mehbooba Mufti also condemned the attack vehemently, saying: "I condemn the dastardly attack on tourists in Pahalgam, which killed five and injured several as being reported so far. Such violence is unacceptable and should be condemned. Kashmir has historically received tourists with open arms, and this unusual incident is a cause of deep concern.". A proper inquiry must be conducted to hold the attackers accountable and investigate possible security failures. Visitor safety is of utmost importance, and measures must be taken to avoid future attacks. Our condolences to the victims and their families."
This is the first tourist attack in the Kashmir Valley in 2025, a year otherwise witness to an all-time high tourist influx. Tourist destinations like Srinagar, Pahalgam, Gulmarg, and Sonamarg have been booked to capacity, and official estimates put the number of visitors in Jammu and Kashmir this year at approximately two crore.
The attack is coming at a time when preparations for the annual Amarnath Yatra are being made, and registrations are continuing across the country. The Yatra will be starting on July 3 and concluding on August 9 to coincide with Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan festivals.
Last month, Union Home Minister Amit Shah presided over a high-level security review while visiting J&K, where he underlined the necessity of a complete crackdown on terrorism, particularly in the Jammu division. He also underlined a hardline approach to infiltration. Senior officials from the Army, paramilitary troops, intelligence agencies, and local administration attended the meeting.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has again emphasised the necessity to destroy the whole terrorist ecosystem — active militants, overground workers (OGWs), and sympathisers — in order to eradicate terrorism from the region entirely.
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