By Kavita Mistry 
Last Updated:
Terrorists attacked the group of tourists near a meadow in Baisaran, Pahalgam.
Security forces en route to the site where tourists were attacked by terrorists linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) in Pahalgam’s Bainsram in Kashmir. (IMAGE: SOURCED)
A group of terrorists linked to the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) attacked a group of tourists in Baisaran valley in southern Kashmir’s Pahalgam, killing one and injuring at least twenty others.The group named The Resistance Front claimed responsibility for the attack in a social media post which also included a picture of one of the injured tourists.
A bloodied and injured tourist said that two terrorists dressed in military fatigues opened fire at them. The visibly distraught and injured tourists were brought to a nearby hospital for treatment. Women and elderly were among the group of tourists attacked. One tourist succumbed to the injuries while being rushed for treatment.
Security forces have been rushed to the spot and they have cordoned off the area. They have also launched a combing operation while exercising caution as intelligence sources told News18 that there are concerns that security forces could be lured into a trap.
Intelligence sources said that they fear that the death toll could be in double digits and the attack could be one of the biggest terror attacks to strike Kashmir.
The attack started around 2:30pm on Tuesday afternoon as the tourists were roaming the meadows of Bainsram on horseback.
Home Minister Amit Shah briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the attack and is reaching Srinagar. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Shah both vowed to come down heavily on the terrorists and assured that they will be brought to justice.
The Lieutenant Governor directed officials to extend medical assistance to those injured. Manoj Sinha in a social media post said: “I assure the people that those behind this despicable attack will not go unpunished. Spoke to the DGP & Security officials. Army and J&K Police teams have rushed to the area and launched search operations”.
“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,” Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said.
Mehbooba Mufti of the Jammu and Kashmir People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Sajjad Lone of Jammu and Kashmir People’s Conference (PC) also condemned the attack.
- Location :
Pahalgam, India, India