At least 26 people were feared killed in a rare terror attack targeting tourists in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam. Two foreign nationals are among those killed in Pahalgam attack, sources added. The terror attack -- one of the worst in Jammu and Kashmir -- took place at around 2:30 pm on Tuesday afternoon when a group of terrorists, dressed in fatigues, opened fire on tourists in Pahalgam's Baisaran meadow.
Visuals from the site of the attack showed bodies strewn around and women crying in distress as locals rushed to their aid. An eyewitness said that unidentified gunmen opened fire on the tourists from close range, resulting in injuries to several people. A video showed a man walking in the scenic meadow when the terrorists openend fire. Gunshots can be clearly heard in the background.
As gunshots rang out, there was panic and tourists ran for cover, but there was no place to hide in the wide, open space, said another eyewitness.
The Baisaran meadow is located around 5 kms from Pahalgam hill station and is accessible only by foot or ponies. Armed terrorists came into the grassland, dubbed ‘mini Switzerland’, and started firing at tourists milling around eateries, taking pony rides or just picnicking and taking in the sights, news agency PTI quoted officials as saying.
Security forces cordoned off the area soon after the attack and an anti-terrorist operation was launched even as Pahalgam town, which was teeming with tourists this morning, went into complete silence.
The Resistance Front, a local offshoot of the Pakistan-based terror group Laskhar-e-Taiba, claimed responsibility for the attack.