Srinagar: The victims of the militant attack in Pahalgam had travelled from across India—representing 12 different states—many accompanied by their families, hoping to escape the oppressive summer heat of the plains and experience the serenity of Kashmir.
Among those killed were personnel from the Indian Air Force, Navy, and Excise Department, as well as a businessman from Karnataka. According to a report by ETV Bharat, the victims hailed from Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Haryana, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Arunachal Pradesh, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh. One of the deceased was a Nepali national, and another was a local resident of Pahalgam.
The incident has not only triggered mourning across the nation but also raised serious concerns about the security of tourists in the Valley—an industry Kashmir has long depended on for economic sustenance.
On April 22, a devastating militant attack occurred in the Baisaran meadow near Pahalgam, Anantnag district, Jammu and Kashmir. Around 2:30pm, gunmen emerged from nearby forests and opened fire on tourists enjoying the scenic spot, often referred to as ‘mini Switzerland’.
The attack resulted in the deaths of 26 persons, including foreign tourists and a local resident of Pahalgam. Among the victims was Lieutenant Vinay Narwal, a 26-year-old Indian Navy officer from Haryana, who had recently married on April 16 and was on his honeymoon.
Additionally, an Intelligence Bureau officer was killed in the assault. Over a dozen others sustained injuries, some critically.
The attack drew widespread condemnation. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was on a visit to Saudi Arabia at the time, cut his trip short and vowed that those responsible would be brought to justice. GoI Home Minister Amit Shah travelled to Srinagar to assess the situation and coordinate the security response.
International leaders, including US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, also condemned the attack and expressed solidarity with India.
