A peaceful morning in the idyllic town of Pahalgam turned into a nightmare after unidentified gunmen opened fire on a group of domestic tourists, killing at least 24 people and leaving many others injured in what is being described as one of the most horrific civilian attacks in recent years in Indian-administered Kashmir. The sudden burst of violence shattered the calm in Baisaran, a scenic meadow located roughly five kilometres from the main town, often hailed as the “Switzerland of India” for its panoramic vistas and serene environment.
Authorities were swift to respond, with security forces and medical teams scrambling to reach the remote, vehicle-inaccessible site. Survivors recounted scenes of chaos, as gunfire rang through the hills and terrified tourists scattered in all directions, crying and screaming for help. Several eyewitnesses claimed the assailants specifically targeted non-Muslim tourists, a claim yet to be officially verified. Videos surfacing on social media showed disturbing footage of bodies lying on the grassy slopes, while others showed soldiers sprinting toward the area amid ongoing panic.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed deep anguish over the scale and nature of the attack, calling it unprecedented in its brutality against civilians. Prime Minister Narendra Modi strongly condemned the assault, promising swift justice and reiterating that India’s fight against terrorism remains resolute. “Our resolve to fight terrorism is unshakeable and it will get even stronger,” Modi wrote on X. He confirmed that Home Minister Amit Shah would fly to Srinagar to lead an emergency security review.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha confirmed that army and police units had been deployed across the region, and search operations were ongoing to hunt down the perpetrators. As of now, no group has claimed responsibility for the massacre, though the region has a long history of insurgency. The attack marks a devastating reminder that despite a drop in militant activity in recent years, Kashmir remains vulnerable to sudden and calculated bursts of violence.
This tragedy comes just months after a deadly ambush on a bus of Hindu pilgrims in June 2024, which killed nine people. Despite efforts to revive tourism in the region—witnessed by a record 3.5 million visitors last year—such incidents threaten to undermine stability and economic growth in the volatile valley. The road ahead remains uncertain, as Kashmir grapples once again with the shadows of conflict that have long haunted its breathtaking beauty.