Not less than 26 individuals have been killed because of the terrorist assault in Jammu & Kashmir’s Pahalgam, information company PTI reported, citing a high-ranking official. Amongst these killed embrace two foreigners, together with two locals, the official was reported as saying.
The fear strike, which comes amid the go to of US Vice President JD Vance to India, marks the deadliest assault in Kashmir Valley for the reason that 2019 Pulwama assault.
“This assault is far bigger than something we’ve seen directed at civilians lately,” Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah mentioned.
The assault was reported in Baisaran, about six kilometres from the resort city of Pahalgam. Dubbed as ‘mini Switzerland’, the vacationer vacation spot is an expansive meadow ringed by dense pine forests and mountains.
Armed terrorists got here into the area at round 3 pm and began firing at vacationers milling round eateries, taking pony rides or simply picnicking, officers and eyewitnesses mentioned.
As information of the phobia assault concentrating on vacationers in Kashmir unfold, The Resistance Entrance (TRF), shadow group of the banned Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terror group, claimed duty.
Officers instructed PTI it was doable the phobia group may have crossed over from Kishtwar in Jammu and reached Baisaran via Kokernag in south Kashmir.
PM Cuts Brief Saudi Official Go to: Sources
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reduce quick his official go to to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia by a day, following the grotesque terror assault in Kashmir Valley, sources within the Ministry of Exterior Affairs mentioned.
He skipped the official dinner, and can be leaving for India tonight. Earlier, he was scheduled to depart for the nation on Wednesday evening, the MEA sources added.
At current, the bilateral engagements with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman are progressing, they added.
Earlier within the day, Modi took to social media to mark his anguish over the deadly terror assault. “I strongly condemn the phobia assault in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Condolences to those that have misplaced their family members. I pray that the injured get well on the earliest,” he mentioned.
“All doable help is being offered to these affected. These behind this heinous act can be dropped at justice…they won’t be spared! Their evil agenda won’t ever succeed. Our resolve to combat terrorism is unshakable and it’ll get even stronger,” Modi added.
I strongly condemn the phobia assault in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Condolences to those that have misplaced their family members. I pray that the injured get well on the earliest. All doable help is being offered to these affected.
These behind this heinous act can be introduced…— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 22, 2025
President Condoles Demise
“Attacking harmless residents, on this case vacationers, is completely appalling and unpardonable,” President Droupadi Murmu tweeted. “My heartfelt condolences to the households who’ve misplaced their pricey ones and my prayers for the short restoration of the injured,” she added.
The terrorist assault on vacationers in Pahalgam of Jammu and Kashmir is stunning and painful. It’s a dastardly and inhuman act which should be condemned unequivocally. Attacking harmless residents, on this case vacationers, is completely appalling and unpardonable.
My heartfelt condolences…— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) April 22, 2025
A purported video of the assault website emerged displaying a number of individuals bleeding and mendacity immobile on the bottom whereas ladies vacationers had been wailing and frantically searching for their close to and pricey ones. No impartial official verification was obtainable.
“I’m shocked past perception. This assault on our guests is an abomination. The perpetrators of this assault are animals, inhuman and worthy of contempt. No phrases of condemnation are sufficient. I ship my sympathies to the households of the deceased,” CM Abdullah mentioned.
Safety personnel stand guard after terrorists attacked a bunch of vacationers at Pahalgam, in Anantnag district, Jammu & Kashmir, Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (Picture supply: PTI)
Helpline Numbers Issued
The Anantnag district police has shared two helpline numbers for contact — 9596777669 and 01932225870, together with a WhatsApp helpline quantity — 9419051940.
The police division has additionally arrange an up to date 24/7 emergency assist desk for vacationers on the Anantnag police management room.
*24/7 Emergency Assist Desk for Vacationers –Police Management Room Anantnag*
A devoted assist desk has been established on the Police Management Room Anantnag to help vacationers requiring help or info.
Contact Particulars:
9596777669
01932225870
Whatsapp 9419051940— Anantnag Police( اننت ناگ پولیس) (@AnantnagPolice) April 22, 2025
The fear assault comes when Kashmir is witnessing a surge in vacationer arrivals after reeling below militancy for years. Additionally, the 38-day Amarnath pilgrimage is scheduled to start on July 3.
Authorities pressed a chopper into service for the evacuation of the injured individuals, the officers mentioned including a number of the injured had been introduced down from the meadows by native individuals on their ponies.
A health care provider on the Pahalgam hospital mentioned 12 injured vacationers had been admitted to the hospital and the situation of all of them was secure. “My husband was shot within the head whereas seven others had been additionally injured within the assault,” a girl survivor instructed PTI over cellphone.
In response to preliminary studies, the terrorists emerged from the dense pine forest surrounding the Baisaran, which was a well-known spot for Bollywood film makers in Nineteen Eighties.
Somewhat earlier, Military, CRPF and native police rushed to Baisaran meadows after the information began coming right down to the city, a senior police official mentioned right here.
An enormous anti-terrorist operation has been launched to search out the assailants as safety forces have been fanned out in all instructions, they mentioned.
In the meantime, Pahalgam resort which was teeming with vacationers until this afternoon wore a abandoned look quickly after the assault with vacationers leaving the place, fearing for his or her security, the officers mentioned.
Baisaran is a serious vacationer place in Pahalgam apart from being a campsite for trekkers who need to transfer additional as much as Tulian Lake.
The world is accessible via ponies from Pahalgam and enroute a panoramic view of the Pahalgam city and Lidder Valley could possibly be seen.
Lakhs of pilgrims from throughout the nation journey to the Amarnath cave shrine from the dual routes — the normal 48-km Pahalgam route in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district and the 14-km shorter however steep Baltal route in Ganderbal district.
(With PTI inputs)
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