Only days after a widely condemned video in which Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir appealed to Pakistanis to instruct their children in the “difference between Hindus and Muslims” went viral, a horrific terror attack on non-Muslim tourists took place in Pahalgam in southern Kashmir.
In what is being viewed as a chilling consequence of the polarizing rhetoric, terrorists affiliated with the Pakistan-sponsored Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) attacked tourists at the Baisaran Valley in Pahalgam, killing 27 and injuring several others. The Resistance Front (TRF), LeT’s proxy, took responsibility for the attack through a social media message, which even featured a gruesome photo of one of the injured tourists.
Tourists Attacked at Noon in Pahalgam
Sources close to the intelligence say the assault started approximately at 2:30 PM on Tuesday as the tourists went around the fields of Baisaran on horses. Witnesses testify that two men with heavy firepower, wearing camouflage uniforms, surfaced suddenly and gunned down the party targets were specifically Hindus. Women and old people were also among them.
A heart-rending video at the scene captures survivors crying out for assistance as bodies litter the scenic landscape now painted red. Perhaps one of the most heartbreaking images to emerge was that of a bride weeping over her dead husband; the couple had been on honeymoon.
A bleeding tourist remembered the horror, saying the terrorists gave no warning before firing at point-blank range. A tourist died on the way to hospital from his injuries, while others were taken to nearby hospitals in a critical state.
Political Reaction and National Outrage
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was informed by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who declared he would be heading to Srinagar straight away. Both the leaders condemned the attack in strongest words and assured that the attackers would be brought to justice.
“This is one of the most lethal attacks in recent memory,” one intelligence officer stated, confirming that the number of dead could increase further. The government has subsequently beefed up security throughout Kashmir, sending more forces to the area and launching an intensive manhunt for the perpetrators.
