Pahalgam Terror Attack: 26 Tourists Killed in 20 Minutes as Terrorists Strike Baisaran Valley:

Around 2:30 PM on Tuesday, a band of terrorists with sophisticated weaponry launched an assault on tourists in the beautiful Baisaran Valley close to Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir. Attacker witnessed reports of soldiers facing tourists of a particular religion and proceeding to systemically gun them down in under twenty minutes.

Survivor Testimonies Reveal Targeted Religious Identity

Survivor details reveal that men were asked for their names before told to stand beside women and children. One lady relayed the story of how her spouse was executed in front of her at point blank range for “not looking Muslim” which raises serious concern about the type of Islam the attackers practiced.

Death Toll And Their Regions

The total of 26 deceased now include:
5 from Maharashtra
4 from Karnataka
3 from Gujarat
2 from West Bengal
1 each from Haryana, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Chandigarh, Odisha, Telangana, Kerala
1 local resident from Jammu & Kashmir
1 citizen of Nepal

Many more suffered injuries as a result of one of the most brutal attacks in the area after the Pulwama bombing in 2019 which resulted in the death of 40 Indian soldiers.

Eyewitness Accounts and Associated Group

Witnesses indicated that between four to six terrorists came in the guise of a security detail. While some tourists were pony riding and having snacks, they were assaulted. It is thought that the attackers were associated with The Resistance Front (TRF) which is a proxy group for Lashkar-e-Taiba.

Delayed Security Response and Civil Bravery

It took security personnel 20 minutes after the terrorists left the scene to arrive. Civilians took it upon themselves first to aid the wounded survivors and assist the injured before the authorities arrived.

National Response and Attendance of High Officials

Victims familes were attended to by Union Home Minister Amit Shah and during the attacks at the site. A high level meeting towards union territory plans was presided over by Prime Minister Narendra Modi who traveled back from Saudi Arabia after learning of the critical situation. The Prime Minister cut his trip short just for this.

Surveillance Measures and Ongoing Investigation

Preliminary papers suggest planning of the attack was orchestrated in Pakistan’s Rawalakot. Due to the attack, protests sprang up in various places leading educational institutions and schools for the Jammu & Kashmir region to remain closed. Increased security presence is noted in major cites such as Mumbai and Delhi.