Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir — A peaceful afternoon in the famed Baisaran meadow turned into a massacre zone on Tuesday as terrorists opened indiscriminate fire on tourists, killing at least 26 people in what has become the deadliest attack on civilians in the Kashmir Valley since 2019. The Pahalgam terror attack, which unfolded around 1:45 PM just five kilometres from the town center, has stunned the nation and left the travel community in shock.
Among the dead are two foreign nationals — one from the UAE and another from Nepal — along with tourists from several Indian states and two locals.
Gunfire in Paradise
Videos that surfaced shortly after the incident show tourists fleeing for their lives as gunshots ring out in the background. Screams — panicked, desperate — echo across the green expanse of the meadow, now stained with tragedy.
In one now-viral clip, a man is seen recording the beautiful Baisaran view just seconds before the first shots are heard. The camera shakes as people begin running in all directions. The man’s voice is heard saying, “Something’s happening… it sounds like firecrackers,” before he cuts the video short.
Later, the same individual appears in another recording. This time, his face is pale, eyes wide with fear. “A terrorist attack has taken place here. We just escaped. God saved us today,” he says, visibly shaken.
Survivor Speaks: “We Thought It Was a Celebration”
Speaking to India Today, the survivor shared more details. “It started with three loud sounds. We genuinely thought someone was bursting crackers — maybe a wedding group. But then people started running and screaming. That’s when I knew.”
His words echo what many survivors expressed — disbelief, then raw fear.
This area, known for its lush greenery and calm, has never witnessed an attack of this scale. “I’ve been bringing tourists here for ten years,” said a local horse guide. “We’ve seen peace here. Today, I only saw blood.”
Chaos and Courage
As the gunfire erupted, several local guides and ponywallahs helped lead tourists into forested areas to hide. “I had three tourists on horseback. I told them to jump and run behind the rocks. We didn’t stop to look back,” said Imtiaz Khan, 29.
First responders say the bodies were scattered across a large area. Several were found clutching mobile phones, some mid-call. “One woman was still on a video call when we reached. The call was still active,” a police official shared, visibly disturbed.
Among the deceased were three children and a couple who had arrived from Pune the day before. They had posted cheerful updates online just hours before the attack.
26 Lives Lost
The victims of the Pahalgam terror attack included families, solo travelers, and honeymooners. Police confirmed that two of the victims were foreign nationals. The others hailed from Maharashtra, Gujarat, West Bengal, Delhi, and Rajasthan.
“This is not just a security lapse — this is a human tragedy. These people came to experience the beauty of our Valley. Instead, they met death,” said a senior official at the scene.
A Swift Response
As the news broke, Prime Minister Narendra Modi immediately cut short his two-day visit to Saudi Arabia and flew back to New Delhi late Tuesday night. He chaired a high-level security meeting at the Prime Minister’s Office upon arrival.
Home Minister Amit Shah was briefed on the ground situation, while Congress leader Rahul Gandhi spoke to Shah to seek updates and express condolences. “This is a dark day for India,” Rahul Gandhi said in a statement.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has been roped in to probe the attack. Sources say the terrorists are believed to be part of a newly formed group active in South Kashmir, though official confirmation is awaited.
Shockwaves Across the Nation
As news spread, social media erupted with grief and outrage. Celebrities, political leaders, and citizens shared messages of solidarity. Alia Bhatt posted a heartbreaking note: “And now there’s only grief. How can we even ask the families to be strong?”
Travel companies across India have suspended upcoming trips to Kashmir, and several tourists are being evacuated from Pahalgam and nearby areas as a precaution.
Kashmir’s Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha condemned the attack and vowed strict action. “This is a cowardly act. The perpetrators will be hunted down. Jammu and Kashmir stands united in grief and resilience,” he said.
The Road Ahead
Security has been ramped up across the Valley, with checkpoints set up in Anantnag, Pulwama, and Kulgam districts. Helicopters were seen patrolling the skies above Pahalgam on Wednesday morning, as police and Army personnel combed through the forested areas.
The locals, many of whom depend on tourism for their livelihood, now fear a fresh wave of cancellations. “Our season had just started. We were hopeful. Now, it feels like 2019 again,” said Bashir Ahmad, who runs a guesthouse near Aru.
Tourism in Kashmir, which had seen a significant revival over the past two years, is likely to suffer a major setback in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack.
In Memory: The Innocent Lives Lost
The full list of victims is yet to be officially released, but what’s known is that many of them were in Pahalgam to celebrate milestones — anniversaries, school breaks, and birthdays.
One of them, a 14-year-old from Kolkata, had shared a smiling selfie with the caption “Heaven on Earth” just 45 minutes before the gunshots rang out.
That image, now circulating online, is being seen as a haunting symbol of everything lost — a life interrupted, joy turned to silence.
Final Thoughts
The Pahalgam terror attack has not just taken 26 lives; it has robbed an entire nation of its sense of security in a place long seen as safe and welcoming. As investigations continue, the pain lingers — in the voices of survivors, the tears of families, and the silence that now hangs over the meadows of Baisaran.
For a place that once promised peace, only echoes of horror remain today.
