KEY POINTS
- 26 tourists killed in a terror attack at Baisaran near Pahalgam, the deadliest civilian assault in Kashmir in years.
- PM Modi, Amit Shah, and Nirmala Sitharaman cut short foreign visits; Shah rushes to J&K, Modi holds emergency meet at airport
- TRF claims responsibility for the attack; victims identified from multiple states including Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Gujarat
In one of the deadliest terror attacks India has seen in recent years, 26 innocent lives mostly tourists were brutally gunned down in broad daylight in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam on Tuesday. This shocking massacre at Baisaran, a picturesque tourist destination known as “mini Switzerland,” has not only shaken the nation to its core but has also drawn swift, high-level responses from India’s top political leadership and the global community alike.
The Pahalgam Terror Attack: A Chilling Recap
Around 3 PM on Tuesday, as tourists enjoyed pony rides, meals at local eateries, and family picnics on the verdant meadows of Baisaran, terrorists opened fire without warning. Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos as bullets rained down on the unsuspecting crowd. The assault, coming at a time when tourist season was gaining momentum, has become the Valley’s deadliest civilian-targeted attack in years.
The Resistance Front (TRF), a shadow outfit of the banned Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), quickly claimed responsibility. Officials suspect the attackers infiltrated from Jammu’s Kishtwar region and reached Baisaran via Kokernag in South Kashmir.
The Human Toll
By Wednesday morning, all 26 victims had been identified. The deceased included tourists from Karnataka, Maharashtra, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Gujarat, along with three from Tamil Nadu. Several others from Maharashtra and Gujarat are among the injured, adding to the scale of the tragedy.
Swift Political and Administrative Responses
PM Modi Cuts Short Saudi Visit
In an immediate display of urgency, Prime Minister Narendra Modi cut short his official visit to Saudi Arabia and landed in Delhi early Wednesday morning. Without even leaving the airport, he convened a high-level meeting with the National Security Advisor, External Affairs Minister, and Foreign Secretary to assess the situation and coordinate the government’s response.
Home Minister Amit Shah on the Ground
Home Minister Amit Shah left for Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday itself, soon after reports of the attack emerged. On arrival, he was briefed by the Director General of Jammu and Kashmir Police, Nalin Prabhat. The meeting also included Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, and Intelligence Bureau Director Tapan Deka.
Rahul Gandhi Speaks with Shah and Local Leadership
Leader of Opposition and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi reached out to Amit Shah over the phone on Wednesday to understand the evolving situation. He also spoke with Jammu and Kashmir CM Omar Abdullah and Congress’ state unit president Tariq Karra. “The families of victims deserve justice and our fullest support,” Gandhi said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
Congress President Demands Justice
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge condemned the “despicable carnage in Pahalgam” and said he had spoken to Amit Shah late Tuesday night. He urged swift justice for the victims and accountability for the perpetrators, stating emphatically, “The perpetrators of this heinous terror attack must not go unpunished.”
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Cuts Short US, Peru Visit
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who was on an official trip to the US and Peru, is cutting her visit short and returning to India immediately. She had reached the US on Sunday for a six-day visit, with Peru scheduled next for another five days. An official statement confirmed her early return in light of the Pahalgam attack.
Global Condemnation and Support
The attack has sparked a strong international reaction. US President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer led the global chorus of condemnation. Trump extended his “deepest sympathies” and said the United States stands firmly behind Prime Minister Modi and “the incredible people of India.”
Attack Amid US VP’s India Visit
The terror incident occurred during US Vice President JD Vance’s visit to India, raising further concerns about regional security and the safety of civilians amidst growing geopolitical sensitivities.
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