On Tuesday, terrorists opened fire on a resort in Pahalgam, killing at least 26 people, including two foreign nationals and two locals, according to news agency PTI. A senior official confirmed that the Army and Jammu & Kashmir Police are conducting a search operation after shots were heard at Baisaran meadows.Initial reports indicate that the terrorists fired at the resort for about 3 to 5 minutes before fleeing the scene. A joint operation has been launched by the Indian Army’s Victor Force, Special Forces, J&K Police’s SoG, and CRPF’s 116 Battalion.Also Read: PM Modi cuts short Saudi Arabia visit following Kashmir terror attack
Eyewitnesses reported that tourists were enjoying pony rides when a group of four heavily armed terrorists, dressed in Army fatigues, approached them, while three to four other terrorists stood nearby.
One of the terrorists reportedly asked a couple whether they were Muslims or Hindus and shot them after they identified as Hindus. The terrorists also asked men to recite the Kalima and killed them when they failed to do so. Some men were also shot after being stripped to check for circumcision.The Resistance Front (TRF), a shadow group of the banned Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terror group, claimed responsibility for the attack. Officials believe the terrorists could have crossed over from Kishtwar in Jammu and reached Baisaran via Kokernag in south Kashmir.Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the attack, saying the perpetrators would be brought to justice. “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. All possible assistance is being provided to those affected,” he said on X.”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,” he added.Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrived in Srinagar in the evening and held an urgent security review meeting with all agencies. Officials stated that Shah is likely to visit Pahalgam on Wednesday, according to Moneycontrol.Security forces have cordoned off the area and launched a combing operation, exercising caution as intelligence sources warned that security forces could be lured into a trap, News18 reported. Officials expressed concerns that the death toll could rise to double digits, making this one of the deadliest terror attacks in Kashmir in recent years.
