The North News
Srinagar, April 22
In one of the deadliest assaults on civilians in recent years, a brutal terrorist attack targeted a group of tourists in the picturesque town of Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir, leaving at least 28 dead and several others injured.
The attack took place on Tuesday, when armed terrorists opened fire on tourists trekking in the mountainous area, which is accessible only on foot or horseback. Military helicopters were scrambled for urgent evacuation efforts, ferrying the injured to hospitals amid high-altitude terrain and heightened security threats.
Reacting swiftly, Union Home Minister Amit Shah flew into Srinagar and chaired a high-level security review with senior officials from security and intelligence agencies. Prime Minister Narendra Modi—who was on an official visit to Saudi Arabia—cut short his trip and is now en route back to India. Prime Minister Modi had earlier spoken to Shah and instructed him to visit the attack site immediately.
In a strongly worded condemnation posted on X (formerly Twitter), Modi said, “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.” He extended condolences to the bereaved and prayers for the swift recovery of the injured.
Home Minister Shah echoed the sentiment, expressing deep anguish over the tragedy. “We will come down heavily on the perpetrators with the harshest consequences,” he wrote on X. He also confirmed he had briefed the Prime Minister.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah cautioned against premature casualty figures, noting that the final death toll would be confirmed after further assessment. “This attack is much larger than anything we’ve seen directed at civilians in recent years,” he posted on social media.
The human cost of the violence came into sharp focus after images surfaced of a distraught woman desperately seeking help beside the lifeless body of her husband, shot during the assault.
International condemnation swiftly followed. Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed condolences to President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Modi, describing the attack as a “monstrous crime.” He reaffirmed Moscow’s commitment to strengthening anti-terrorism cooperation with India.
