SRINAGAR, April 22 – A deadly terror attack on tourists near Baisaran in the Pahalgam area of south Kashmir’s Anantnag district left 27 people dead and several others critically injured on Tuesday, according to local officials and media reports.
The assault, targeting a group of mostly non-local tourists, marks one of the deadliest in the region in recent years. Kashmir Dot Com, a Kashmir based news agency reported that among the victims was Shalinder Kalpiya, while the injured include individuals from Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Odisha.
No group has immediately claimed responsibility for the attack.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah is expected to arrive in Srinagar later today to assess the situation. Shah will chair a high-level meeting with senior security and administrative officials, as the government ramps up efforts to track down the perpetrators.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the assault, describing it as a “cowardly attack on innocent civilians.” Modi directed the Home Ministry to take “swift and decisive” action, reaffirming the Centre’s commitment to restoring security in the conflict-hit region.
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha offered condolences to the families of the victims and called the attack an “unforgivable crime.” “We will ensure that those responsible face justice swiftly,” he said in a statement.
Security forces have launched a large-scale combing operation in the dense forests surrounding Baisaran, as the area remains under heavy surveillance. Top administrative and police officials are on-site overseeing the response.
The attack comes at a time when Kashmir had been witnessing a gradual revival in tourism, with record footfall reported in recent months. Tuesday’s violence is expected to cast a long shadow over the industry and has sparked widespread condemnation across political and civil society groups.
The Chenab Times News Desk
