An Indian Navy officer was among 26 people killed in the deadly terror attack on tourists in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam on Tuesday.
The officer has been identified as Lieutenant Vinay Narwal (26). He got married on April 16 and was on leave.
Navy officer among 26 killed in Baisaran
“One Indian Navy officer, Lieutenant Vinay Narwal (aged 26 years), who was posted in Kochi, has been killed in the Pahalgam attack while he was on leave. He is a native of Haryana and got married on April 16,” reported ANI, quoting defence officials.
As many as 26 people, including two foreigners and two locals, were killed after terrorists opened fire at a famed meadow near Pahalgam town in what is the deadliest attack in the Valley since the Pulwama strike in 2019.
The attack, which comes as US Vice President JD Vance is visiting India and just as the tourist and trekking season is picking up momentum, took place around 3 pm.
Baisaran, about six kilometres from the resort town of Pahalgam, is an expansive meadow ringed by dense pine forests and mountains and a favourite with visitors from across the country and the world.
Armed terrorists came into the grassland, dubbed ‘mini Switzerland’, and started firing at tourists milling around eateries, taking pony rides or just picnicking, officials and eyewitnesses said. At least 20 people were injured in the strike in the volatile Kashmir Valley where tourists have so far mostly been spared.
As news of the terror attack targeting tourists in Kashmir spread, The Resistance Front (TRF), shadow group of the banned Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terror group, claimed responsibility.
Officials said it was possible the terror group could have crossed over from Kishtwar in Jammu and reached Baisaran through Kokernag in south Kashmir.
“My husband was shot in the head while seven others were also injured in the attack,” a woman survivor told PTI over phone.
The woman did not identify herself but pleaded for help in evacuating the injured to hospital.
As gunshots rang out, there was panic and tourists ran for cover but there was no place to hide in the wide, open space, said another woman tourist.
A woman said terrorists first asked the name before shooting down the victims. The tourists gathered at Baisaran were from several states, including Karnataka, Maharashtra and Gujarat. Among those killed was Karnataka businessman Manjunath Rao, who was from Shivamogga.
With Baisaran accessible only by foot or horses, choppers were deployed to evacuate the injured. The families of those killed and injured were taken to the government-owned Pahalgam Club under tight security.
The entire district administration and police force was mobilised and ambulances pressed into service.
Some of the injured were brought down from the meadow by local people on their ponies.
Army, CRPF and local police rushed to Baisaran, much sought after by filmmakers in the 1980s, after initial news came in of gunshots being heard, officials said.
President Droupadi Murmu has condemned the terrorist attack on tourists in Pahalgam of Jammu and Kashmir. Terming it as shocking and painful, the President said it is a dastardly and inhuman act which must be condemned unequivocally. The President said attacking innocent citizens is utterly appalling and unpardonable. She expressed condolences to the families who have lost their dear ones and prayed for the quick recovery of the injured.
A massive anti-terrorist operation has been launched to hunt down the assailants and security forces have fanned out in all directions.
The Jammu and Kashmir administration set up 24X7 emergency control rooms in Anantnag and Srinagar.
“The death toll is still being ascertained so I don’t want to get into those details. They will be officially conveyed as the situation becomes clearer. Needless to say this attack is much larger than anything we’ve seen directed at civilians in recent years,” Abdullah said in a post on X.
“I’m shocked beyond belief. This attack on our visitors is an abomination. The perpetrators of this attack are animals, inhuman and worthy of contempt. No words of condemnation are enough. I send my sympathies to the families of the deceased,” he said.
The office of Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha said anti-terror ops had been launched to neutralise terrorists.
“Entire nation is angry & blood of our forces is boiling. I want to assure the nation that perpetrators of Pahalgam attack will have to pay a very heavy price for their heinous act. My heartfelt condolences to bereaved families,” it said on X.
(With Inputs from Agency)
