27 Tourists Killed; Lashkar Offshoot Claims Responsibility
SUHAIL KHAN
PAHALGAM, April 22: In what is being termed one of the deadliest terror attacks in recent years in Jammu and Kashmir, at least 27 people, including foreign tourists, were gunned down in cold blood on Tuesday afternoon in Pahalgam. The brutal assault, carried out by heavily armed terrorists linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), has sent shockwaves across the country and raised concerns about tourist safety in the region.
The attack took place at the popular Baisaran Meadows, a picturesque health resort in Pahalgam, where groups of tourists—among them women and elderly people—were enjoying horseback rides amid serene surroundings. Eyewitnesses reported that two to three gunmen, disguised in military fatigues, suddenly emerged and began firing indiscriminately at the unsuspecting crowd.
“There was panic and horror. The men were firing non-stop. Tourists were screaming and running for shelter, but many fell to the ground,” said a local horseman who witnessed the attack.
The Resistance Front (TRF), a shadow group of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, claimed responsibility for the carnage. According to top intelligence sources, the group has been active in recent years and is often used by LeT to mask its operations and avoid global scrutiny.
Videos from the site, reviewed by Kashmir Despatch, depicted heart-wrenching scenes—motionless bodies lying in pools of blood while terrified women wailed and searched for missing family members. The victims included multiple foreign nationals, although their identities are yet to be officially confirmed.
In response, security forces swiftly swung into action. The area was immediately cordoned off, and a massive anti-terror operation was launched. Helicopters were deployed for aerial surveillance, and troops fanned out across the dense forests and trails leading out of Pahalgam to intercept the attackers.
Top intelligence officials described the assault as the deadliest since the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. They underlined that while Kashmir has seen its share of violence, never before have such prominent tourist locations been targeted in this manner—especially areas considered relatively peaceful like Pahalgam.
“Tourism zones were considered safe zones. This attack marks a dangerous shift in strategy by these terror outfits. It clearly shows their desperation,” said a senior intelligence officer. He further revealed that the attackers were believed to be part of a group of foreign terrorists who had infiltrated Kashmir in recent months under the guidance of Pakistan’s military establishment.
Defense sources have stated that four to six terrorists were involved in the attack, including three foreign militants and one local Kashmiri. The assailants used high-powered assault rifles, including AK-47s and American-made M4 carbines, underscoring the sophistication of their weaponry and training.
The injured, many of whom are in critical condition, were rushed to nearby hospitals, where emergency services have been overwhelmed. Several ambulances were seen ferrying the wounded to Anantnag and Srinagar medical centers.
In the aftermath of the attack, a red alert has been issued across Jammu and Kashmir. Security has been intensified at all sensitive locations, including tourist spots, transportation hubs, and government establishments. Railway stations have come under heightened security scrutiny, with Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Government Railway Police (GRP) personnel deployed in strength to monitor passenger movement.
Sources also informed Kashmir Despatch that Delhi Police have been instructed to remain on high alert. All major tourist locations, religious places, and strategic installations in the national capital are under enhanced surveillance.
Candlelight protests have been announced in several districts across Jammu and Kashmir, including Srinagar, to mourn the victims and condemn the attack. Civil society members, political groups, and local residents have called for unity and resilience in the face of terror.
A tourist couple from Nagpur, Maharashtra, recounted their narrow escape. “We had just left Baisaran when we heard the gunfire. It didn’t stop for what felt like ages. Everyone ran. We didn’t look back,” said the visibly shaken couple.
The attack has not only shattered the relative calm in Kashmir but also raised alarming concerns about the security preparedness of authorities in protecting vulnerable tourist hotspots. As the massive manhunt for the perpetrators continues, questions are being raised over the infiltration routes and support networks enabling such large-scale attacks.
Authorities have vowed to bring the attackers to justice and ensure such a tragedy is never repeated.
Suhail Khan is a filmmaker, content writer, and freelance journalist.
