Gunmen Open Fire on Tourists in Baisaran Meadow, Spark Global Outrage
A rare and deadly attack shook Indian-administered Kashmir on Tuesday as gunmen opened fire on a group of domestic tourists near Pahalgam, killing at least 20 and injuring many more in what authorities describe as one of the worst civilian-targeted acts of violence in the region in recent years.
The attack occurred in Baisaran, a scenic hilltop meadow roughly 5 km from Pahalgam, a Himalayan town dubbed the “Switzerland of India” and a popular tourist hotspot. Inspector General Vidi Kumar Birdi confirmed the attackers struck suddenly, catching the group off-guard in an area inaccessible to vehicles.
Eyewitnesses reported scenes of panic and horror as gunmen, according to unverified footage, appeared to target non-Muslim visitors. Videos shared online, though not yet authenticated by the BBC, depict crying victims and bodies scattered across the grassy landscape.
Global Condemnation and Emergency Response
World leaders quickly condemned the attack. US President Donald TrumpEuropean Commission President Ursula Von der LeyenRussian President Vladimir Putin
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, cutting short his diplomatic trip to Saudi Arabia, vowed justice. “Our resolve to fight terrorism is unshakeable,” he posted on X.
Pakistan’s foreign ministry issued a brief statement expressing concern and extending condolences but stopped short of commenting further on the political implications.
Investigation and Security Measures
No group has claimed responsibility, but the attack has drawn parallels with previous insurgent violence in the region, which has witnessed conflict since 1989. Indian Home Minister Amit Shah arrived in Srinagar for an emergency security meeting. Army units and police have sealed off the area, and search operations are ongoing.
The government has deployed additional forces, and checkpoints have been established. The Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha, stated the security apparatus was “fully mobilized.”
Tourism Under Threat in a Conflict Zone
The shooting strikes a blow to the region’s fragile tourism recovery. Over 3.5 million tourists visited Kashmir in 2024, a figure the government hoped would continue to rise as peace gradually returned following the 2019 revocation of Kashmir’s special status.
Tuesday’s attack is the deadliest on tourists in decades and follows a June 2024 attack in which nine Hindu pilgrims were killed.
With tensions between India and Pakistan already simmering, this tragedy could deepen diplomatic strains and reawaken old security concerns in the volatile region.
As the world watches, Kashmir once again stands at a crossroads—between the promise of peace and the horror of violence.
Categories: Breaking News, South Asia, Security & Conflict, Human Rights
Tags: Kashmir, Pahalgam, India, Terror Attack, Tourists Killed, Narendra Modi, Omar Abdullah, Trump, Putin, Ursula Von der Leyen, Jammu and Kashmir Police, Insurgency, Pakistan
