Major terror attack in Pahalgam, death toll rises to 25; victims from multiple states trapped

PAHALGAM: Reports that the gunfire on tourists that took place in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir was a major terrorist attack. Government sources have confirmed that 25 people were killed in the incident. It is reported that the death toll is likely to rise further. The terrorist attack took place in Pahalgam in South Kashmir. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said that the exact death toll is being recorded and will be officially announced later.

'This attack is much larger than anything we’ve seen directed at civilians in recent years,' the Chief Minister wrote on X. In the wake of the terrorist attack, a 24-hour control room has been opened in Anantnag district. Several people have been injured in the terrorist attack. Initial information is that the terrorists were firing at tourists. Several tourists are trapped in the area following the terrorist attack.

Unconfirmed reports suggest that Malayalis are also among those trapped. The victims are said to be from the states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Odisha. The Prime Minister responded in a post shared on social media, saying 'Those behind this heinous act will be brought to justice...they will not be spared!' He stated that the agenda of the terrorists will not be implemented and that the fight against terrorism will be intensified.

The attack took place at 2.30 pm on Tuesday. It is reported that there were three attackers. Locals are also among the injured. Jammu and Kashmir Police said that the firing took place in the Baisaran valley of Pahalgam. This area is not accessible by vehicle. It is reached only by a difficult path that can be reached only on foot or by horse.

There has been a significant increase in the number of tourists visiting Jammu and Kashmir in recent times. It is in this context that the attack targeting tourists is taking place. Police and locals say that the place where the attack took place is an area visited by many tourists. The responsibility for the attack has been claimed by a terrorist organization called The Resistance Front. The Resistance Front is an organization affiliated with the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba.