Pahalgam Massacre: 26 Killed in Meadow Ambush, Lashkar Proxy Claims Responsibility
New Delhi | April 23, 2025
In one of the deadliest civilian attacks in recent years, 26 people, including an Indian Navy officer and an Intelligence Bureau official, were killed when terrorists opened fire at Baisaran, a popular tourist meadow six kilometers from Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir. The Resistance Front (TRF), a known proxy of the banned Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), has claimed responsibility for the massacre.
Also Read: Global Condemnation Pours In After Pahalgam Attack Kills 26 Tourists
The attack occurred around 3 PM on Tuesday as families picnicked, rode ponies, and relaxed in the scenic meadow, often dubbed “mini Switzerland.” Survivors described horrifying scenes, with terrorists reportedly asking names before shooting at point-blank range. In one harrowing testimony, a woman told PTI that her husband was shot in the head in front of her eyes, and several others around them were injured.
Also Read: “Won’t Spare the Terrorists”: Amit Shah Pays Tribute to Pahalgam Victims, Vows Justice
Rescue and Evacuation Amid Chaos
The sudden gunfire plunged the area into chaos. Helicopters were dispatched to airlift the injured from the inaccessible terrain, while locals helped carry the wounded on ponies down to the base. The Army, CRPF, and J&K Police launched a joint operation and cordoned off the area, initiating a massive manhunt.
Civil aviation authorities quickly stepped in to support grieving families and stranded tourists. Airlines like Air India and IndiGo waived rescheduling fees and added flights to Srinagar. Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu urged airlines to refrain from surge pricing.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on an official trip to Saudi Arabia, immediately cut his visit short and returned to India Tuesday night. Upon landing, he held a high-level security meeting with NSA Ajit Doval and senior cabinet members at the airport.
“Those behind this heinous act will be brought to justice… Their evil agenda will never succeed,” PM Modi declared in a statement, reaffirming India’s commitment to fighting terrorism.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrived in Srinagar on Tuesday evening. On Wednesday morning, he visited the Police Control Room to pay tribute to the deceased and later planned to visit the attack site in Pahalgam.
“Bharat will not bend to terror,” Shah wrote on X, vowing strict action against the perpetrators.
World leaders, including US President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, condemned the attack and expressed solidarity with India.
Pahalgam has long faced the shadow of violence. From the 2000 Amarnath base camp attack to this week’s bloodshed, the region has seen repeated strikes on civilians. Tuesday’s massacre marks the deadliest since the Pulwama attack in 2019, where 40 CRPF personnel were martyred.
J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah called the massacre “larger than anything we’ve seen in recent years,” while Lt Governor Manoj Sinha promised severe retaliation.
“The blood of our forces is boiling,” his office stated, as the entire region remains on high alert.
Amid the fallout, the Army reported an attempted infiltration in the Baramulla district’s Uri Nala area on Wednesday morning. In the ensuing gunfight, at least two terrorists were neutralized. A significant cache of arms and ammunition was recovered.
“Terrorists will pay a very heavy price,” said the Army, as operations continue near the LoC.
Pahalgam terror attack, Kashmir violence, Lashkar-e-Taiba, Resistance Front, Baisaran shooting, Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, Indian security forces, civilian massacre, Kashmir tourism, TRF, India Pakistan terrorism, Baramulla infiltration, LoC tension
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