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In focus Magazine March 2025 advertise

Politics

Pahalgam Terror Attack: Deadly Kashmir Ambush Sees 28 Tourists Killed

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A peaceful vacation in the scenic meadows of Pahalgam turned into a bloodbath when terrorists opened fire on unarmed tourists in the Baisaran valley. The attack, one of the deadliest on civilians in recent years, claimed several lives and left more than 20 people injured, with families across India now reeling from the shock.

Newlyweds, Families, and Officers Among the Dead

The victims came from different corners of India, united only by the tragedy that befell them. Shubham Dwivedi, a newly married man from Kanpur, was shot in the head while vacationing with his wife. Lieutenant Vinay Narwal, a 26-year-old Indian Navy officer from Haryana, was killed just days after his wedding. In Surat, Gujarat, Shailesh Kadatiya lost his life in front of his wife and children. Odisha’s Prashant Satpathy, who had travelled with his wife and child, was also among the dead—his family still untraceable. A woman from Karnataka, Pallavi, recounted the moment her husband, Manjunath Rao, was shot before her eyes. “I told them to shoot me too,” she said through tears.

Terror Group Claims Responsibility as Survivors Relive Horror

The Resistance Front (TRF), an offshoot of Lashkar-e-Taiba, claimed responsibility for the attack, which began at around 2:30 PM. Eyewitness accounts reveal the terrorists descended from dense pine forests and indiscriminately opened fire. Survivors describe scenes of chaos and pleading for their lives. Twelve injured tourists are being treated in local hospitals, with helicopters and ponies used in rescue efforts amid the rugged terrain.

Nation Responds with Outrage and Grief

The attack prompted a swift and emotional response from across the political spectrum. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who cut short his foreign visit, condemned the act and promised that the perpetrators would face justice. Home Minister Amit Shah led a high-level security review in Srinagar. Vigils and protests were held across Kashmir and India, with locals in Pahalgam joining candlelight marches in solidarity with the victims. “These weren’t tourists—they were like our family,” said Gulzar Ahmad Wani, head of the local taxi association.

Shadow Cast Over Amarnath Yatra as Security Tightens

The timing of the attack has intensified concerns ahead of the upcoming Amarnath Yatra, which begins in July and passes through the same region. With preparations already underway, the government has bolstered security across Jammu and Kashmir. States including Maharashtra and Karnataka have dispatched emergency teams to support affected families and bring stranded tourists home safely.