Our Bureau
New Delhi
At least 26 people, including tourists and a naval officer on his honeymoon, were killed in a brazen terrorist attack at the scenic Baisaran meadows in Pahalgam on Tuesday afternoon. The assault, one of the deadliest targeting civilians in recent years, has triggered nationwide protests and a security crackdown, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi cutting short a foreign trip to address the crisis.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos as attackers emerged from nearby forests and opened fire on tourists, many of whom were stranded without immediate help. Survivors reported militants selectively targeting non-Muslim men, demanding they recite Islamic verses before shooting them. Among the victims was Indian Navy officer Vinay Narwal, 28, whose wife, Himanshi, recounted in a viral video how assailants asked about his religion before killing him days after their wedding.
The attack left families shattered, with multiple households losing multiple members. A Karnataka woman, Pallavi, whose husband was killed, quoted a militant as saying, “I won’t kill you. Go tell this to Modi.” Local guides and pony operators risked their lives to evacuate the injured, carrying victims down the hillside before helicopters arrived. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah condemned the attackers as “animals” and highlighted the strike’s unprecedented scale.
The Indian government has vowed a decisive response, with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh warning of “loud and clear” retaliation. While no group has claimed responsibility, analysts warn of escalating tensions with Pakistan, which India has historically accused of backing such attacks. The incident has also raised fears for Kashmir’s tourism-dependent economy, with businesses shuttering and protests erupting nationwide.
Families of the deceased, including three cousins from Maharashtra and a horse-operator providing his household’s sole income, are demanding justice. The attack has drawn global condemnation and renewed scrutiny of regional security ahead of the Amarnath pilgrimage in July. A massive manhunt for the perpetrators is underway.
