Kashmiri Tourist Tragedy: Gunmen Initiate Brutal Attack in Pahalgam

    Galaxy Tribune Special Report  

Deadly Ambush Shatters Mountain Retreat

  In a horrific turn of events on Tuesday, armed attackers gunned down at least 26 people and left over a dozen others injured in the scenic Baisaran Valley of Pahalgam, situated in Jammu & Kashmir’s Anantnag district.. The attackers struck while tourists were enjoying the remote, car-free valley, accessible only by foot or horseback.   Authorities confirmed that most victims came from outside the region. The casualties included a Nepali national and an Indian citizen working in the Middle East. Inspector General V.K. Birdi described the bloodshed as one of the deadliest assaults on civilians in the region in recent years.  

Survivors Share Haunting Accounts

  The shooters charged into the meadow and started shooting at close range, causing panic and anxiety, according to witnesses. One woman, still in shock, explained how gunmen shot her husband in the head and wounded seven others. Asavari Jagdale, another survivor, described how militants stormed her family’s tent, accused them of supporting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and then shot her male relatives, including her father.   Locals didn’t hesitate to respond. Abdul Waheed, a resident of the area, rushed into action on his pony, helping carry the wounded down the valley using handmade stretchers. “Children, women, men… so many lay injured or worse. It was heartbreaking,” he said.  

Tensions Soar After Claim of Responsibility

  The Resistance Front, a lesser-known militant group, claimed responsibility online, blaming “outsiders” for changing the region’s demographics. Although the group offered no proof, authorities confirmed the claim is under investigation.   The attack triggered public outrage across Kashmir. Protesters took to the streets with candles and banners denouncing terrorism, while many demanded the resignation of Indian Home Affairs Minister Amit Shah. In response, airlines added flights as tourists hurried to flee the valley.   In the wake of the tragedy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi shortened his journey to Saudi Arabia and issued a strong condemnation of the assault. Their evil will not prevail,” he declared on X. Defense forces launched an intensive manhunt, while Shah chaired a high-level security meeting on-site.  

International Condemnation and Political Fallout

  Leaders from the United States, Russia, France, and other nations voiced strong condemnation. U.S. Vice President JD Vance, currently visiting India, expressed condolences and solidarity with the victims. President Donald Trump personally called Modi to offer support against terrorism.   Amid a flurry of accusations, BJP leaders blamed Pakistan, claiming the massacre stemmed from “frustration over Kashmir’s growing stability and economic progress.” In response, Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif firmly denied any connection to the attack and reaffirmed the nation’s stance against terrorism. Meanwhile, Kashmiri leaders and student groups spoke out against growing online hostility. “Terror has no religion,” said Nasir Khuehami of the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association. “Our people know the pain of loss, yet we now face defamation and fear.”  

A Fragile Peace Threatened Once Again

  Despite years of violence in Kashmir, attacks on tourists remain rare due to a silent understanding that the tourism industry supports many local livelihoods. Tuesday’s massacre shattered that fragile balance.   This brutal incident occurred along the Amarnath Yatra pilgrimage route—a corridor previously hit by militants. Thousands travel to the region each year between March and August, drawn by its natural beauty.   The latest major attack on tourists in the area happened in June when terrorists attacked a pilgrimage bus, causing it to crash into a gorge and killing nine people. As investigations unfold, residents and authorities alike fear this latest assault could reopen old wounds in an already fragile region.    

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