By Pahalgam Under Attack: 26 Killed in Chilling Ambush
In a devastating terror attack that has shaken the entire nation, 26 people, including 25 tourists and a local driver, were brutally killed on Tuesday evening, April 22, in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. The incident occurred near a meadow area between Aru and Betaab Valley—both popular with domestic and international tourists.
According to eyewitnesses and police sources, heavily armed terrorists opened indiscriminate fire on multiple tourist vehicles returning from the valley. The attack is now being described as the deadliest against civilians in India since the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.
How the Attack Unfolded
The terrorists are believed to have been waiting in ambush in a secluded area frequently used by tourist vehicles.
Eyewitnesses report hearing gunfire lasting nearly 8–10 minutes.
Victims included tourists from Gujarat, West Bengal, and Maharashtra.
“It was like a warzone… we were helpless,” said a survivor from Pune, who lost two family members.
Emergency responders rushed to the site, but many victims had already succumbed to bullet wounds. The injured were airlifted to Srinagar and Anantnag hospitals, where at least 10 are in critical condition.
Modi Cuts Short Saudi Visit, Amit Shah on Ground
In an unprecedented move, Prime Minister Narendra Modi cut short his official visit to Saudi Arabia and is flying back to India. He had reached Jeddah on Tuesday morning for a high-profile bilateral summit.
The Prime Minister issued a stern message before boarding his return flight:
“This cowardly attack on innocent civilians will not go unpunished. I stand with every Indian in this moment of grief.”
Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrived in Srinagar overnight and visited the site of the massacre early Wednesday. He was briefed by intelligence and security officials and also met grieving families.
Shah vowed “zero tolerance to terrorism” and announced immediate compensation and a high-level investigation into security lapses.
Massive Search Operation Underway
The J&K police, CRPF, and Army have launched a massive manhunt in and around Pahalgam, with intelligence suggesting that the attackers are members of a Pakistan-based terror group, possibly Lashkar-e-Taiba or The Resistance Front (TRF).
Drone surveillance, roadblocks, and combing operations are in full swing. Sources indicate that multiple suspects have been detained for questioning.
Security forces are also looking into how such a large attack was planned and executed without prior detection, raising serious concerns about intelligence gaps.
Tourism in Kashmir Takes a Hit
This attack comes just as Kashmir was witnessing a tourism boom with over 3 million visitors expected this summer. Pahalgam, a jewel of Kashmir’s tourism circuit, had been perceived as a relatively safe zone in recent years.
The attack has triggered cancellations and panic, dealing a severe blow to the local economy. Travel associations across India have demanded enhanced security for tourists visiting the Valley.
Nation Stands United in Grief
As images of blood-soaked meadows and grieving families surfaced, the nation reacted with grief, anger, and condemnation.
From opposition leaders to celebrities, messages poured in:
“This is not just an attack on Kashmir; it’s an attack on humanity,” tweeted Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.
The President of India, Droupadi Murmu, expressed “deep sorrow” and urged authorities to bring the attackers to justice swiftly.
Candlelight vigils were held in Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru, and many citizens took to social media to demand swift action.
A Tragedy That Demands Accountability
The Pahalgam terror attack has once again brought the spotlight back on Kashmir’s fragile peace and India’s continuing battle against terrorism. While the government has vowed a strong response, the bigger challenge remains ensuring such tragedies do not repeat.
For now, India mourns 26 innocent lives lost to a senseless act of terror, and the nation awaits justice.