Pahalgam terror attack: 20+ tourists killed, PM Modi condemns, HM Amit Shah races to site

PM directs HM Amit Shah to visit Pahalgam

A group of heavily armed terrorists on Tuesday launched a ‘dastardly’ attack on tourists, killing over 20 of them and injuring several others in the Pahalgam area of Anantnag district.

The final death toll may increase as the local authorities are yet to confirm the nature of injuries and the health condition of some of the tourists injured critically in the indiscriminate firing by the terrorists.

According to local reports, the attack took place at around 2.30 p.m. at the Baisaran meadows in Pahalgam. Tourists had to trek or ride a pony to reach the picturesque meadow.

Local authorities pressed a chopper into service to evacuate the injured tourists to the nearby hospital.

In Pahalgam, panic-stricken tourists were restless and concerned for their well-being after the terror attack.

Reacting to the extreme provocation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is currently visiting Jeddah, had a telephonic conversation with Union Home Minister Amit Shah on the Pahalgam terror attack and asked him to take all suitable measures. The PM also asked the Union Home Minister to visit the site.

PM Modi had a telephonic conversation with Union Home Minister Amit Shah on the Pahalgam terror attack and asked him to take all suitable measures. PM also asked the Union Home Minister to visit the site. pic.twitter.com/K3g2b9aa5w

— ANI (@ANI) April 22, 2025

The terror attack took place days after India rubbished Pakistan Army chief Gen Asim Munir’s remarks describing Kashmir as the “jugular vein” of Pakistan and said Islamabad’s only link with Jammu and Kashmir is the vacation of illegally occupied parts of the union territory.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in a post on X said Deeply anguished by the news of terrorist attack in Pahalgam (Jammu & Kashmir). This dastardly attack on innocent civilians is an act of cowardice and highly reprehensible. My thoughts and prayers are with the innocent victims and their families.

Deeply anguished by the news of terrorist attack in Pahalgam (Jammu & Kashmir). This dastardly attack on innocent civilians is an act of cowardice and highly reprehensible. My thoughts and prayers are with the innocent victims and their families.

— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) April 22, 2025

Union Home Minister Amit Shah in a post on X said,

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 PM Shri @narendramodi Ji 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.

The terrorists, according to eyewitness reports, first identified the tourists before opening fire on them while they were enjoying snacks with their loved ones. Some of the tourists were busy taking horse rides when the terrorists fired at them indiscriminately.

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.…

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) April 22, 2025

A video of a tourist has also gone viral in which she is heard pleading with a local Kashmiri guide to help her save the life of her husband. “My husband was shot in the head while several others were also injured in the attack. Please help me.”

Meanwhile, the entire area has been cordoned off, and additional troops have been rushed to track down the perpetrators behind the attack.

A doctor at the Pahalgam hospital said 12 injured tourists were admitted there, and the condition of all of them was stable.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah reacted strongly in a post on X. “The perpetrators of this attack are animals, inhuman & worthy of contempt. No words of condemnation are enough. I send my sympathies to the families of the deceased”.

I’m shocked beyond belief. This attack on our visitors is an abomination. The perpetrators of this attack are animals, inhuman & worthy of contempt. No words of condemnation are enough. I send my sympathies to the families of the deceased. I’ve spoken to my colleague @sakinaitoo…

— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) April 22, 2025

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said, “I strongly condemn the cowardly terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam. I assure the people that those behind this despicable attack will not go unpunished.”

I strongly condemn the cowardly terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam. I assure the people that those behind this despicable attack will not go unpunished. Spoke to the DGP & Security officials. Army and J&K Police teams have rushed to the area and launched search operations.

— Office of LG J&K (@OfficeOfLGJandK) April 22, 2025

The terror attack ahead of the beginning of the Amarnath yatra is bound to affect the tourist season in the coming weeks.

In 2023, J&K recorded 2,11,80,011 tourist visits, and in 2024, the number increased to 2,35,90,081.

Note:
1. Text in Blue points to additional data on the topic.
2. The views expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of PGurus.

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