A terror attack in the Pahalgam area of South Kashmir’s Anantnag district on Tuesday afternoon left multiple tourists injured, sparking widespread condemnation from across the political spectrum. Though exact casualty figures are yet to be officially confirmed, ambulances and security forces rushed to the site immediately after terrorists opened fire on civilians.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed shock and sorrow over the incident.
“This attack on our visitors is an abomination. The perpetrators are inhuman and worthy of contempt. No words of condemnation are enough,” he said, adding that the death toll is still being ascertained and would be officially conveyed once the situation becomes clearer.
He also confirmed that Sakina Itoo had been dispatched to the hospital to oversee arrangements for the injured and that he would be returning to Srinagar immediately.
Congress leader Vikar Rasool Wani voiced serious concerns about the attack’s impact on the Valley’s economy, stating:
“The economy is totally dependent on tourists. This is part of a conspiracy to harm our livelihood.”
National Conference leader Imran Nabi Dar lamented the attack, saying:
“This is a dark day for Kashmir’s tourism. The season was just beginning, and now this. We condemn it unequivocally.”
BJP’s Ravinder Raina, speaking from Nowshera, blamed “Pakistani terrorists” for the assault, labeling it a cowardly attack on unarmed civilians.
“They cannot face our brave soldiers, so they target innocent tourists instead,” Raina said.
The incident is seen as a major setback just ahead of Kashmir’s peak tourist season, a sector vital to the region’s economy. The security establishment is on high alert, and investigations are ongoing to identify and neutralize the perpetrators.