At least 25 people have been killed after terrorists struck a prime tourist location of Pahalgam in South Kashmir on Tuesday, government sources told The Hindu.
Sources told The Indian Express that terrorists opened fire at tourists in Baisaran, an off-the-road meadow in Pahalgam. “Our reports say that two-three militants appeared and opened indiscriminate fire at the tourists at Baisaran,” a senior police officer told the paper.
The attack comes during the peak tourist season in the valley while registration for this year’s Amarnath Yatra is underway. While attacks of such scale have happened before, this is the largest attack on tourists in recent years. In 2000, at least 30 were killed, including 21 pilgrims, when Lashkar-e-Taiba operatives carried out an attack in Pahalgam.
Condemning the attack, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that “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 and it will get even stronger,” he wrote on X.
I strongly condemn the terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. I pray that the injured recover at the earliest. All possible assistance is being provided to those affected.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 22, 2025
Those behind this heinous act will be brought…
Modi reportedly held a telephonic conversation with Union Home Minister Amit Shah following the terrorist attack, and directed him to take all necessary measures in response to the incident. Shah has left for Srinagar to hold an urgent security review meeting.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah tweeted that he was “shocked beyond belief” and that the perpetrators were “animals, inhuman & worthy of contempt”. He also said the death toll was “still being ascertained”.
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
The death toll is still being ascertained so I don’t want to get in to those details. They will be officially conveyed as the situation becomes clearer. Needless to say this attack is much larger than anything we’ve seen directed at civilians in recent years.
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) April 22, 2025
Abdullah is on his way to Pahalgam from Srinagar. Meanwhile, the Anantnag police set up a 24/7 help desk to “assist tourists requiring assistance or information”.
*24/7 Emergency Help Desk for Tourists –Police Control Room Anantnag*
— Anantnag Police( اننت ناگ پولیس) (@AnantnagPolice) April 22, 2025
A dedicated help desk has been established at the Police Control Room Anantnag to assist tourists requiring assistance or information.
Contact Details:
9596777669
01932225870
Whatsapp 9419051940
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha vowed to bring those behind the “despicable attack” to justice. He said he has spoken to the director general of police and other security officials. “Directed the district administration and the health officials to provide immediate medical attention to those admitted at Pahalgam. An injured tourist has been evacuated to GMC Anantnag. I pray for the speedy recovery of all the injured,” he said.
He also tweeted that an “anti-terror ops” had been launched to “neutralise terrorists”. “I want to assure the nation that perpetrators of Pahalgam attack will have to pay a very heavy price for their heinous act. My heartfelt condolences to bereaved families,” he said.
Anti-terror ops launched to neutralise terrorists. Entire nation is angry & blood of our forces is boiling. I want to assure the nation that perpetrators of Pahalgam attack will have to pay a very heavy price for their heinous act. My heartfelt condolences to bereaved families.
— Office of LG J&K (@OfficeOfLGJandK) April 22, 2025
President Droupadi Murmu called the attack “shocking and painful”, tweeting: “It is a dastardly and inhuman act which must be condemned unequivocally. Attacking innocent citizens, in this case tourists, is utterly appalling and unpardonable.”
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla condemned the “cowardly attack” on X, as did Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge who called it “a blot on humanity”. People’s Democratic Party chief Mehbooba Mufti tweeted that “such violence is unacceptable and must be denounced”. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi posted his condolences on X, adding that the government “should now take accountability and take concrete steps so that such barbaric incidents do not happen in the future”.
Among those killed was a realtor from Shivamogga district in Karnataka who was shot dead in front of his wife and son, Hindustan Times reported. As news broke about the man's death, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah reportedly held an emergency meeting with senior officials to gather information.
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