Pahalgam Terror Attack: 26 Dead, NIA Set To Probe Case; Shah In Srinagar For High-Level Security Review — Updates
The NIA will investigate the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, which left at least 26 dead. The attack occurred on Tuesday when terrorists opened fire on a crowd of tourists.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) will probe the deadly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam that left at least 26 people dead, according to sources. The incident took place in the scenic meadow of Baisaran, around six kilometres from Pahalgam, when terrorists opened fire on a crowd of tourists.
The attack occurred on Tuesday around 3 pm, with terrorists firing over 50 rounds on civilians enjoying their day out in the picturesque meadow, also known as ‘mini Switzerland’. Tourists were picnicking, riding ponies, and visiting eateries when the armed terrorists began firing indiscriminately, eyewitnesses said.
- An official release has confirmed the deaths of 16 people, while 10 are reported to be injured in the terrorist attack in J&K's Pahalgam, news agency IANS reported.
One Indian Navy officer identified as 26-year-old Lieutenant Vinay Narwal, who was posted in Kochi, was among the dead. He was in Pahalgam on leave. The Navy officer is a native of Haryana and got married on 16 April, defense officials stated, as per news agency ANI.16 tourists have died, 10 are injured in the terrorist attack in J&K's Pahalgam pic.twitter.com/5vZeVjjVs6
— IANS (@ians_india) April 22, 2025
An Intelligence Bureau (IB) officer from Hyderabad also died in the terror attack in Kashmir. Manish Ranjan, a native of Bihar, was shot dead in front of his wife and children. The IB officer, posted in Hyderabad, was on a Leave Travel Concession (LTC) visit with his family, as per IANS. - Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrived in Srinagar and chaired an urgent high-level meeting with top security officials in the wake of the attack. Shah, accompanied by officials including Jammu and Kashmir’s Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, was briefed by the Director General of Jammu and Kashmir Police, Nalin Prabhat.
He is expected to visit Pahalgam on Wednesday to assess the aftermath of the attack.
“Anguished by the terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. My thoughts are with the family members of the deceased. Those involved in this dastardly act of terror will not be spared, and we will come down heavily on the perpetrators with the harshest consequences,” Shah said in a post on X earlier in the day.#WATCH | Srinagar | Union Home Minister Amit Shah chairs a high-level security meeting with all the agencies following the Pahalgam terror attack. pic.twitter.com/rCSy0tuW2B
— ANI (@ANI) April 22, 2025 - Senior NIA officials are expected to arrive in Pahalgam on Wednesday to begin the investigation.
- Security agencies have revealed that intelligence inputs had indicated the possibility of an attack in a tourist area of South Kashmir. As per their reports, there was prior information suggesting that terrorists might target a tourist location in South Kashmir. Inputs also indicated that non-Kashmiris could be attacked in the name of religion. Terrorists had conducted prior reconnaissance of the site. With the help of overground supporters, terrorists managed to transport weapons to the area.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is currently on a visit to Saudi Arabia, was briefed by Shah. “I strongly condemn the terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. I pray that the injured recover at the earliest. All possible assistance is being provided to those affected. Those behind this heinous act will be brought to justice… they will not be spared! Their evil agenda will never succeed. Our resolve to fight terrorism is unshakable and it will get even stronger,” the Prime Minister said on X.
- Security has been enhanced across Jammu as various outfits have called for demonstrations on Wednesday to condemn the deadly terror attack on tourists in south Kashmir, officials said, as per news agency PTI. Security forces were checking vehicles amid heightened alert throughout J&K.
#WATCH | Katra, J&K | Security forces check vehicles as security is heightened throughout J&K in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack. pic.twitter.com/aoqgSicvks
— ANI (@ANI) April 22, 2025 - According to defence sources and local officials, a massive anti-terror operation is underway in the region. Army, CRPF and local police have fanned out across the area, and search operations have intensified.
- The entire district administration and medical teams were mobilised quickly, and a helicopter was used to evacuate some of the injured. Locals also brought injured tourists down from the meadow on ponies.
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Eyewitnesses said that the tourists were ambushed by the terrorists, who asked them about their religious identity before shooting them. "My husband was standing beside me. Then one person (terrorist) came and shot him. He (terrorist) shot him saying that maybe he is not a Muslim," a woman survivor remarked.
#WATCH | Eyewitnesses Reveal Heartbreaking Accounts Of Pahalgam Terror Attack#Pahalgam #TerrorAttack #Terrorist #ABPLive #JammuKashmir #TerroristAttack pic.twitter.com/RSSjBSB3ZW
— ABP LIVE (@abplive) April 22, 2025Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde also said, "I have spoken to tourist Pragati from Maharashtra. All the terrorists came in police uniform. They were asking everyone's name and then shooting them; this is condemnable. The central government will definitely take revenge for this attack; we will teach them a lesson and kill them."
- One woman survivor told PTI over the phone, “My husband was shot in the head while seven others were also injured in the attack,” as she pleaded for help in evacuating the injured.
“There was panic as gunshots rang out. Tourists ran for cover, but there was no place to hide in the wide, open space,” said another tourist.
A tourist couple from Maharashtra's Nagpur, present at the spot of the terrorist attack on tourists in Pahalgam told ANI, "This incident happened when we had just left the place of the incident. We could hear the sound of firing for a long time. Everyone was trying to escape from the place. We never looked back as we just wanted to escape from there."#WATCH | Anantnag, J&K | A tourist couple from Maharashtra's Nagpur who were present at the spot of the terrorist attack on tourists in Pahalgam, say, "This incident happened when we had just left the place of the incident. We could hear the sound of firing for a long time.… pic.twitter.com/yXF3JLnSMz
— ANI (@ANI) April 22, 2025 - An alert has been raised in Delhi and Mumbai after the terrorist attack in Pahalgam. “Delhi Police has also been instructed to keep a close watch on tourist places and other important places,” ANI reported, citing Delhi Police sources.
Meanwhile, a senior Mumbai Police official told ABP News that vigilance was increased after security of prominent places was reviewed following the terrorist attack. Security has been beefed up in the financial capital of the country. -
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah described the attack as “much larger than anything we’ve seen directed at civilians in recent years,” adding, “The death toll is still being ascertained so I don’t want to get into those details. They will be officially conveyed as the situation becomes clearer.”
He further posted on X, “I’m shocked beyond belief. This attack on our visitors is an abomination. The perpetrators of this attack are animals, inhuman and worthy of contempt. No words of condemnation are enough. I send my sympathies to the families of the deceased.” -
Altaf Ahmad Wani, the National Conference MLA from Pahalgam, condemned the assault, calling it “cowardly” and said: “Targeting innocent persons is against the teachings of Islam. The perpetrators of this dastardly act will be dealt with an iron fist.”
Pulwama MLA and PDP leader Waheed Para told PTI, "This act of terror is an attempt to defame Kashmiris. Such activities are done whenever the situation seems to improve... We condemn this and stand unanimously against this irrespective of beliefs and ideology." - The Information & PR Department of J&K reported that an emergency control room has been set up and provided the contact numbers for the same. "Srinagar: 0194-2457543, 0194-2483651 Adil Fareed, ADC Srinagar – 7006058623. Helpline for the assistance on Pahalgam terror incident," it stated in a post.
"24/7 Emergency Help Desk for Tourists –District Administration Anantnag Control Room April 22: A dedicated help desk has been established to assist tourists requiring assistance or information. Contact Details: 01932222337 7780885759 9697982527 6006365245," another post read.
- People held a candle march in Pahalgam, Srinagar, Baramulla, and Handwara to condemn the terrorist attack, PTI and ANI reported.
VIDEO | J&K: Locals of Pahalgam hold candle march for terror attack victims demanding justice.
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 22, 2025
(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/F19rAK7tFf
The assault comes at a time when Kashmir is witnessing a rise in tourist activity following years of militancy. Baisaran, a popular trekking base also frequented by filmmakers in the 1980s, connects to Tulian Lake and offers a panoramic view of the Lidder Valley.
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