Pahalgam: The horrific terror attack in Pahalgam’s Baisaran Valley has left the nation in shock, as 27 people lost their lives and 13 were injured in what is being described as one of the most brutal assaults on civilians in recent times. The victims included tourists from various Indian states and one Nepali national, highlighting the indiscriminate nature of the massacre.
The highest number of casualties were reported from Maharashtra, with six tourists confirmed dead. Three each from Karnataka and Gujarat, two from West Bengal, and one each from Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, and Madhya Pradesh also lost their lives. Nine others from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh are among the injured. Tragically, one local Kashmiri citizen was also killed in the attack.
According to sources, the terrorists, reportedly affiliated with The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy of Lashkar-e-Taiba, carried out the attack in a cold and calculated manner.
Eyewitnesses revealed that the attackers first asked the tourists their names and religious affiliation. In a chilling move, when in doubt, they reportedly forced some victims to remove their pants to confirm if they were non-Muslims before opening fire.
The brutality of the assault has drawn nationwide condemnation and sparked a wave of anger across the country. Security forces have since launched massive counter-terror operations in the region, and intelligence agencies are tracking the TRF network believed to be operating out of Pakistan.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other top leaders have vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice. The barbaric nature of the attack has shocked the conscience of the nation, as tributes pour in for the innocent lives lost in Pahalgam.
