Several killed and others were injured in a rare terror attack targeting tourists in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam.
Panic gripped Pahalgam in South Kashmir on Tuesday after terrorists attacked a popular tourist spot, leaving at least 20 people injured, according to Agency report.
The attack took place at around 2:30 pm on Tuesday afternoon when a group of terrorists, dressed in fatigues, opened fire on tourists in Pahalgam’s Baisaran meadow. The person who died has been identified as Manjunath and is from Karnataka’s Shivamogga.
The attack took place in Pahalgam, a picturesque town in the Himalayas often described as the “Switzerland of India”.
The region’s chief minister, Omar Abdullah, said the attack was “much larger than anything we’ve seen directed at civilians in recent years”.
Army, Paramilitary and other Security forces along with medical teams have rushed to the area. In a telephonic conversation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked Union Minister Amit Shah to visit the attack site and take all suitable measures. Mr Shah will shortly leave for Srinagar to hold an urgent security review meeting with all the agencies.
Gunshots were heard in the upper meadows of Pahalgam’s Baisaran Valley, an area that is approachable only on foot or on horseback. The terrorists were apparently in camouflage and it is believed to be a targeted attack.
Attackers emerged from the dense pine forest’ Officials deployed a helicopter to evacuate the wounded, whilst local residents assisted in transporting some injured individuals from the meadows using ponies.
Agency reports indicate the attackers emerged from the dense pine forest surrounding Baisaran, a location previously favoured by Bollywood productions in the 1980s.
Military, CRPF and local police forces rushed to Baisaran meadows upon receiving news of the attack, according to a senior police official.
Home Minister Amit Shah tweets, Anguished by the terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. My thoughts are with the family members of the deceased. Those involved in this dastardly act of terror will not be spared, and we will come down heavily on the perpetrators with the harshest consequences.
Briefed Prime Minister Narendra modi
about the incident and held a meeting with the concerned officials via video conferencing. Will shortly leave for Srinagar to hold an urgent security review meeting with all the agencies.
“I strongly condemn the terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. I pray that the injured recover at the earliest. All possible assistance is being provided to those affected.
Those behind this heinous act will be brought to justice…they will not be spared! Their evil agenda will never succeed. Our resolve to fight terrorism is unshakable and it will get even stronger.” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said.
Video footage posted by Indian media outlets appears to show Indian troops running towards the scene of the attack, while in other footage victims can be heard saying that the gunmen had singled out non-Muslims.
Police said multiple tourists had been taken to hospital with gunshot wounds. The area has been cordoned off and a search is underway to find the perpetrators.
According to reports, a number of people were also wounded in the attack. The region’s Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, said the army and police had been deployed to the scene.
