26 people were killed in a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, J&K.

At least 26 people, two foreign tourists among them, were killed by a group of terrorists who emerged from the dense forests around the trekking paradise of the Baisaran meadows in the upper reaches of Pahalgam on Tuesday afternoon. A number of others were wounded, including with critical injuries, and the death toll is likely to rise, official sources told The Hindu, though there is no official casualty data from the government as yet.

The attack, in Anantnag district in Jammu and Kashmir, came on a day when United States Vice-President J.D. Vance is in the country on a four-day visit. Mr. Vance shared condolences with the victims of the attack. “Our thoughts and prayers are with them as they mourn this horrific attack,” he said in a post on X.

Pahalgam terror attack LIVE

Prime Minister Narendra Modi “strongly condemned the terror attack in Pahalgam”. He added: “Those behind this heinous act will be brought to justice… They will not be spared! Their evil agenda will never succeed. Our resolve to fight terrorism is unshakable and it will get even stronger.”

Mr. Modi, who is touring Saudi Arabia, skipped an official dinner hosted on Tuesday (April 22, 2025) and decided leave for India. He will arrive on Wednesday morning (April 23, 2025).

The Resistant Front, an offshoot of the Lashkar-e-Taiba, claimed responsibility for the attack. However, the security agencies did not confirm the veracity of the claim. The outfit alleged that 85,000 domicile certificates have been issued to non-locals, “creating a pathway for demographic change” in J&K. “Violence will be directed toward those attempting to settle illegally,” it said in a statement.

Among those who were injured was an 83-year-old tourist from Tamil Nadu and a 65-year-old woman from Odisha. Syed Hussain Shah, a local resident of Anantnag was among those killed. At least 16 people were killed at the spot while others succumbed on the way to the hospital.

This is the first major terror attack on civilians in Kashmir since the Centre ended J&K’s special status in 2019.

Around 40 tourists were present at the meadow when the terrorists opened indiscriminate fire, using both automatic rifles and small arms. They reportedly checked the identity of victims before shooting them at close range. “Gunshots rattled the meadow and there were many in the open meadow who immediately fell to the ground,” an eyewitness said.The aftermath of the terror attack was captured by local guides on mobile cameras. In one of the videos, a newly-wed tourist, seeking help for her injured husband, can be heard saying: “A gunman came close and shot my husband in the head.” Several tourists were seen pleading for help, and one woman tourist managed to call the J&K police after the attack.

Non-motorable destination
The terrorists, whose numbers could not be ascertained immediately, took advantage of the non-motorable destination — popular among honeymooners, trekkers and adventure junkies — to target tourists and ensure that any help from authorities would take time to reach them, officials said. Pahalgam remains a high-security zone as it houses the Amarnath shrine and has multi-layer security cover round the year.

Northern Army Commander Lt. Gen. M.V. Suchendra Kumar also rushed to Srinagar and was “briefed by local formation commanders on the present security situation in Kashmir Valley”.

J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also used strong words to condemn the attack. “This attack is much larger than anything we’ve seen directed at civilians in recent years. I’m shocked beyond belief. This attack on our visitors is an abomination. The perpetrators of this attack are animals, inhuman and worthy of contempt. No words of condemnation are enough,” Mr. Abdullah said.