The brutal terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on Tuesday has sent shockwaves across India, leaving multiple families grieving the sudden loss of their loved ones who were visiting the scenic valley for a peaceful holiday.
Heartbreak in Homes: Victims’ Stories Emerge
In Nagpur, Maharashtra, families waited anxiously to hear from relatives in Kashmir. One grieving sibling told media:
“My younger brother had gone for holidays… We couldn’t contact him and were terrified. We saw the news on TV and kept trying his number.”
Similar scenes unfolded in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, where Shubham Dwivedi, a young man recently married on February 12, lost his life in the attack. His cousin Saurabh Dwivedi shared:
“He was shot in the head. His wife called my uncle and told us what had happened. We are broken. His body is expected to be released in 2–3 days after the procedures.”
In Haryana, Indian Navy officer Lt. Vinay Narwal, who had recently married on April 16, was killed while on leave. A neighbor described the tragedy:
“Just four days ago, we celebrated his reception. Today, we are mourning his loss. It is beyond shocking.”
Tourists Cutting Trips Short Amid Tensions
Many tourists have decided to leave Kashmir following the attack. Sameer Bhardwaj from Delhi shared:
“We had plans to visit Pahalgam, but the situation is tense. We’ve decided to leave early. This kind of attack has never happened here before—it’s frightening.”
National Response and Security Measures
Following the incident, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a high-level briefing with key officials including EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar, NSA Ajit Doval, and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, upon his return from Saudi Arabia. The meeting focused on strategic and security responses to the cross-border threat.
Meanwhile, search operations have been intensified in the Baisran area of Pahalgam to track down the perpetrators. Authorities are also coordinating efforts to evacuate stranded tourists, particularly those from Maharashtra, where multiple casualties have been confirmed.
A Nation in Mourning
The attack has evoked widespread grief, especially given that many victims were newlyweds or young professionals. Condolences have poured in from leaders across the political spectrum, and candlelight vigils and protests have been organized in Baramulla, Srinagar, Kupwara, Poonch, Akhnoor, and Jammu.
As India grieves, a united national voice is emerging—calling for justice, security, and decisive action to protect citizens and dismantle the networks that enable such heinous attacks.