J&K Terror Attack: Death Toll Climbs To 26, Two Foreigners Among Tourists Killed, Says Official

At least 26 persons have been killed due to the terrorist attack in Jammu & Kashmir's Pahalgam, news agency PTI reported, citing a high-ranking official. Among those killed include two foreigners, along with two locals, the official was reported as saying.

The terror strike, which comes amid the visit of US Vice President JD Vance to India, marks the deadliest attack in Kashmir Valley since the 2019 Pulwama attack.

"This attack is much larger than anything we’ve seen directed at civilians in recent years," Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said.

The attack was reported in Baisaran, about six kilometres from the resort town of Pahalgam. Dubbed as 'mini Switzerland', the tourist destination is an expansive meadow ringed by dense pine forests and mountains.

Armed terrorists came into the region at around 3 pm and started firing at tourists milling around eateries, taking pony rides or just picnicking, officials and eyewitnesses said.

As news of the terror attack targeting tourists in Kashmir spread, The Resistance Front (TRF), shadow group of the banned Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terror group, claimed responsibility.

Officials told PTI it was possible the terror group could have crossed over from Kishtwar in Jammu and reached Baisaran through Kokernag in south Kashmir.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has cut short his official visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia by a day, following the gruesome terror attack in Kashmir Valley, sources in the Ministry of External Affairs said.

He skipped the official dinner, and will be leaving for India tonight. Earlier, he was scheduled to leave for the country on Wednesday night, the MEA sources added.

At present, the bilateral engagements with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman are progressing, they added.

Earlier in the day, Modi took to social media to mark his anguish over the fatal terror attack. "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," he said.

"All possible assistance is being provided to those affected. 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," Modi added.

"Attacking innocent citizens, in this case tourists, is utterly appalling and unpardonable," President Droupadi Murmu tweeted. "My heartfelt condolences to the families who have lost their dear ones and my prayers for the quick recovery of the injured," she added.

A purported video of the attack site emerged showing several people bleeding and lying motionless on the ground while women tourists were wailing and frantically looking for their near and dear ones. No independent official verification was available.

"I’m shocked beyond belief. This attack on our visitors is an abomination. The perpetrators of this attack are animals, inhuman and worthy of contempt. No words of condemnation are enough. I send my sympathies to the families of the deceased," CM Abdullah said.

The Anantnag district police has shared two helpline numbers for contact — 9596777669 and 01932225870, along with a WhatsApp helpline number — 9419051940.

The police department has also set up an updated 24/7 emergency help desk for tourists at the Anantnag police control room.

The terror attack comes when Kashmir is witnessing a surge in tourist arrivals after reeling under militancy for years. Also, the 38-day Amarnath pilgrimage is scheduled to begin on July 3.

Authorities pressed a chopper into service for the evacuation of the injured persons, the officials said adding some of the injured were brought down from the meadows by local people on their ponies.

A doctor at the Pahalgam hospital said 12 injured tourists were admitted to the hospital and the condition of all of them was stable. "My husband was shot in the head while seven others were also injured in the attack," a woman survivor told PTI over phone.

According to initial reports, the terrorists emerged from the dense pine forest surrounding the Baisaran, which was a famous spot for Bollywood movie makers in 1980s.

A little earlier, Army, CRPF and local police rushed to Baisaran meadows after the news started coming down to the town, a senior police official said here.

A massive anti-terrorist operation has been launched to hunt down the assailants as security forces have been fanned out in all directions, they said.

Meanwhile, Pahalgam resort which was teeming with tourists till this afternoon wore a deserted look soon after the attack with tourists leaving the place, fearing for their safety, the officials said.

Baisaran is a major tourist place in Pahalgam besides being a campsite for trekkers who want to move further up to Tulian Lake.

The area is accessible through ponies from Pahalgam and enroute a panoramic view of the Pahalgam town and Lidder Valley could be seen.

Lakhs of pilgrims from across the country travel to the Amarnath cave shrine from the twin routes -- the traditional 48-km Pahalgam route in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district and the 14-km shorter but steep Baltal route in Ganderbal district.

(With PTI inputs)