A preliminary investigation into the deadly attack on tourists near Pahalgam has revealed that at least four terrorists, dressed in camouflage uniforms, arrived at the Baisaran meadow and opened fire using American-made M4 carbines and AK-47 assault rifles.
Over 70 bullet casings recovered
As of Tuesday evening, authorities had recovered 50 to 70 spent cartridges from the site. The central government is reportedly planning to transfer the case from the Jammu and Kashmir Police to the National Investigation Agency (NIA). According to sources, initial findings based on victim and eyewitness accounts confirm the presence of four assailants. Two of them are believed to have been identified, according to a report by The Indian Express.
The attack occurred in the afternoon at Baisaran Valley, a picturesque off-road meadow located over 6 km from Pahalgam, which was crowded with tourists at the time. Eyewitnesses say the terrorists appeared suddenly and opened indiscriminate fire.
A local trade leader, speaking on condition of anonymity, said shopkeepers in Baisaran told him three to four gunmen had fired on the tourists. “I reached the site about half an hour after the shooting. Bodies lay scattered, and many injured tourists were in shock. We tried to offer them comfort,” he said. He also confirmed that a local pony handler was among those killed, reported The Indian Express.
Political leaders condemn ‘Inhuman’ attack
Jammu and Kashmir’s former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah called the attack “larger than anything we’ve seen targeting civilians in recent years.” He condemned the assault, saying, “The perpetrators of this attack are inhuman and deserve the strongest contempt. No words of condemnation are enough.”
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha described the incident as a cowardly act and vowed that those responsible would not go unpunished. “Anti-terror operations have been launched to neutralize the terrorists. The entire nation is outraged, and the blood of our forces is boiling. The perpetrators will pay a heavy price for this heinous act. My heartfelt condolences go out to the bereaved families,” he said on X (formerly Twitter).
Former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, Peoples Conference leader Sajad Lone, and other political leaders also condemned the attack. Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, calling it a “cowardly act,” stated that such violence goes against the ethos of Kashmir.
The Resistance Front (TRF), a shadow outfit of the banned Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), has reportedly claimed responsibility. Intelligence sources said the group sent a message alleging that tourists were actually non-locals who had received domicile certificates—this claim is under examination.
Massive security response launched
Security forces, including the Army, CRPF, and police, rushed to Baisaran after the attack. A massive anti-terror operation was launched to locate and neutralize the perpetrators. Emergency control rooms were set up in Anantnag and Srinagar, and two Rashtriya Rifles battalions along with Special Forces were deployed for the search operations.
Before leaving for Srinagar on a special flight, Union Home Minister Amit Shah briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi and held a virtual meeting with officials. Shah later posted on X expressing grief and assuring the nation of stern action against the attackers.
Prime Minister Modi also condemned the attack, calling it “heinous” and offering condolences to the victims’ families. “Those behind this act will not be spared. Their evil agenda will never succeed. Our resolve to fight terrorism is unshakable and will only grow stronger,” he said.