A peaceful evening in Kashmir’s scenic Pahalgam turned into horror on April 22, when gunmen opened fire on tourists, killing at least 26 people and injuring many more. The shocking attack was claimed by a group called The Resistance Front.
According to reports, the assault was carried out by a group of six heavily armed men, two of whom were believed to be locals who received terror training in Pakistan back in 2017. They were armed with AK-47 rifles and had carefully planned the strike, splitting into two teams before launching the brutal attack.
The incident happened in Baisaran meadow, a lush area just five kilometers from Pahalgam town, which is popular among holiday-goers. But this time, the tourists were not enjoying the view — they were running for their lives.
Eyewitnesses revealed chilling details. Some victims were reportedly asked to show their ID cards, after which they were specifically targeted. Authorities say most of those killed were Indian nationals. Many of the injured remain in critical condition, and the death toll could rise.
By Wednesday morning, the atmosphere in Pahalgam had completely changed. Streets were deserted. Shops were shut. The mood was grim. The attack has marked a major shift in the region's long-running conflict, where, until now, tourists were rarely targeted.
The Resistance Front, a terror outfit linked to Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, claimed responsibility for the massacre. While an official statement from New Delhi is awaited, Indian security forces have launched a massive manhunt. Thousands of troopers have been deployed across the Kashmir Valley to find and capture the attackers.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi strongly condemned the killings, calling it a “heinous act.” He promised that the attackers would not escape justice.
This latest attack has not only taken innocent lives but also deeply shaken Kashmir’s tourism revival, which had seen record numbers in recent years.
