At least 26 killed in Pahalgam terrorist attack

STC NEWS MONITORING DESK
PAHALGAM, APRIL 22 (STC): In one of the deadliest attacks on civilians in recent years in Kashmir, terrorists killed at least 26 people, including two foreigners, when they opened fire on tourists in Pahalgam today.
The Resistance Front, a Pakistan-backed proxy of Lashkar-e-Taiba, is reported to have claimed responsibility for the attack, says a report.
According to the reports, the firing took place around 2:30 pm in Baisaran meadow, a popular picnic spot dubbed ‘mini Switzerland’ for its scenic beauty. The attackers, dressed in fatigues, descended from the mountains and began firing at tourists enjoying pony rides and refreshments in the open grassland, located about 5 km from Pahalgam and accessible only on foot or horseback.
As reported by various media channels, videos from the site showed bodies scattered across the field and women crying for help as locals rushed to assist. Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as gunshots rang out and people ran for cover, with little protection in the open terrain. 
“Terrorists struck a prime tourist location of Pahalgam in South Kashmir on Tuesday, killing multiple people and injuring at least 20,” officials said. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah called it “much larger than anything we’ve seen directed at civilians in recent years.”
“A purported video of the attack site emerged showing several people bleeding and lying motionless on the ground while women tourists were wailing and frantically looking for their near and dear ones,” Abdullah said on X. He added, “The perpetrators of this attack are animals, inhuman and worthy of contempt. No words of condemnation are enough.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the attack and said those responsible “will not be spared.” In a post on X, he said, “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. Their evil agenda will never succeed. Our resolve to fight terrorism is unshakable and it will get even stronger.”
Modi spoke to Union Home Minister Amit Shah and asked him to take all suitable measures and visit the site of the attack. Shah reached Srinagar to take stock of the situation.
Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir Manoj Sinha, who was in the national capital, Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, Director of Intelligence Bureau Tapan Deka and a few senior officials accompanied the home minister, who left on a special flight from IGI airport
The attack comes at a time when Kashmir has seen a steady rise in tourist arrivals, and just weeks before the Amarnath Yatra is scheduled to begin on July 3.