Pahalgam Terror Attack: At least 20 feared killed, several others injured as militants open fire at tourists; PM Modi condemns cowardly act

In a terror attack that reportedly took place in a meadow near Pahalgam in Anantnag district in Jammu and Kashmir around 3 pm on Tuesday afternoon, at least 20 people were feared killed and several other injured after a group of more than 10 militants dressed in military uniforms opened fire at tourists. The militants reportedly asked the names of tourists and started attacking them depending upon the responses. Securitiy was tightened in and around the region immediately after the incident. 

Anantnag police announced the following dedicated helplines to assist the public: 

• WhatsApp Helpline: 9419051940
• Call Helpline: 9596777669

PM Narendra Modi condemns milinants’ cowardly act 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi strongly condemned the terror attack in Pahalgam, offering condolences to the impacted families. “I pray that the injured recover at the earliest. All possible assistance is being provided to those affected… Those behind this heinous act will be brought to justice,” PM Modi wrote on microblogging site X (formerly Twitter). 

Pahalgam Terror Attack News | PM Modi says militants won’t be spared

“They will not be spared! Their evil agenda will never succeed. Our resolve to fight terrorism is unshakable and it will get even stronger," wrote PM Modi.

The Prime Minister was on his official visit to Saudi Arabia at the time the incident took place. 

Home Minister Amit Shah briefed the PM about the incident.

Anguished by the terror attack: Home Minister Amit Shah

Leaving for Srinagar to take stock of the situation after briefing the PM, the Home Minister wrote on X: "Anguished by the terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. My thoughts are with the family members of the deceased. Those involved in this dastardly act of terror will not be spared, and we will come down heavily on the perpetrators with the harshest consequences.”

He also held a meeting with the officials concerned via video conferencing. 

What J&K CM Omar Abdullah says 

J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said that the toll is still being ascertained. 

Describing the Pahalgam terror attack as “much larger than anything we've seen directed at civilians in recent years", Abdullah wrote: “The death toll is still being ascertained so I don't want to get into those details. They will be officially conveyed as the situation becomes clearer.”

"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," the CM said.

What BJP’s J&K President said 

Describing the attack as a "tragic and unfortunate incident", BJP’s J&K President, Sat Sharma, alleged that the attack was carried out at the behest of Pakistan, targeting innocent visitors who had come to the Union Territory to experience its natural beauty.

"This is heartbreaking. The tourists had visited Vaishno Devi and later decided to explore scenic destinations like Pahalgam. Such acts of violence should not happen, especially when people come here in peace," added Sharma. 

Where the terror attack took place 

The area where the incident took place is a picturesque meadow that often touted as “mini Switzerland” by tourists. 

The militants started firing at tourists milling around eateries, taking pony rides or just picnicking and taking in the sights, according to officials.