A mix of local and foreign terrorists are believed to have carried out the targeted shooting in Kashmir’s tourist haven, sparking a renewed security crackdown.
At least five terrorists, including three reportedly from Pakistan, are believed to be behind the gun attack on tourists in Pahalgam’s Baisaran valley on Tuesday. Indian security officials confirmed that intelligence intercepts, witness statements, and ground assessments all point toward a cross-border operation carried out with local support.
Authorities have now released sketches of three suspects and announced a cash reward of ₹20 lakh each for any actionable tip-offs. The incident, which injured three tourists from Gujarat, has brought the Valley’s fragile peace under fresh scrutiny—particularly as tourist footfall was reaching pre-pandemic levels.
Gunfire in Paradise: What Really Happened in Pahalgam?
It was meant to be a quiet afternoon in the scenic meadows of Baisaran, nicknamed “Mini Switzerland.” Tourists were enjoying pony rides, soaking in pine-covered views, until the stillness was pierced by gunfire.
Initial reports suggest the attackers opened fire indiscriminately before vanishing into nearby forest cover. Panic ensued, with tourists scrambling for shelter and guides rushing the injured to safety. Local police were on the scene within minutes, but the assailants had already vanished.
According to Jammu & Kashmir Police, the attackers had detailed knowledge of the terrain. Two of them, they suspect, are from south Kashmir—likely Anantnag or Pulwama—while the others had accents and combat gear pointing to Pakistan-based groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).
Who Are the Suspects? Intelligence Zeroes In
The investigation has been moving quickly. Sketches based on eyewitness accounts have already been circulated, and security agencies have flagged five individuals—three of whom are believed to be Pakistani nationals.
One of the prime suspects is said to have crossed over the Line of Control (LoC) just weeks ago.
Sources in the intelligence community shared:
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Three of the suspects are affiliated with Lashkar-e-Taiba.
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One attacker is thought to be a trained sniper, given the pattern and precision of gunfire.
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All five men were likely part of a sleeper cell reactivated recently.
A single sentence for impact: Locals described the attackers as “calm, methodical, and terrifyingly silent.”
High Stakes: Kashmir Tourism Faces New Threat
The timing couldn’t have been worse. Pahalgam, usually bustling with domestic and international tourists in April, was showing signs of a tourism rebound. Officials had projected over 2 million visitors this year, an optimistic jump from the 1.5 million in 2024.
Tour operators are already reporting cancellations. Hotel bookings have dropped by 17% in just 48 hours. A Srinagar-based tour agency owner said, “We were finally recovering. Now it feels like we’re back to square one.”
Centre Steps In: Shah Sends Clear Warning from the Valley
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who visited the site on Wednesday, promised a “decisive response” and said the government will not allow terror to derail peace in Kashmir.
Shah met with injured tourists at the hospital, praised the locals who helped save lives, and reviewed security deployment in high-tourism zones.
In a press briefing, he said: “The terrorists responsible will be hunted down. There will be consequences.”
Interestingly, this visit came just hours before a high-level review meeting between intelligence and counterterrorism officials. The government is reportedly considering tighter surveillance protocols on tourist routes, including drone mapping and facial recognition software deployment.
What Locals Are Saying—and What They Fear
On the ground, people are shaken. Many say they feel caught between two fires—trying to earn a livelihood through tourism while being pulled into the shadow of militancy once again.
A local guide, who asked not to be named, said, “We work hard to give tourists a good experience. But now, even we are scared. They shot without warning.”
Shops in Pahalgam remained shut on Wednesday as a gesture of protest and grief. Some residents held candlelight vigils, calling for peace and a return to normalcy.
There’s fear, yes—but also anger. Kashmiris are tired of the violence, tired of their identity being linked to conflict, and tired of having to explain that this isn’t who they are.
The Bigger Picture: Cross-Border Militancy Still in Play?
Security officials believe this attack is part of a broader attempt to destabilize the region just as elections near and tourism picks up. While infiltration attempts had dropped since the abrogation of Article 370, there’s been a noticeable uptick in recent months.
A top intelligence officer told The Indian Express, “They’re changing tactics—targeting soft civilian spots instead of military ones. It’s psychological warfare.”
The attack also sends a message: even scenic tourist hubs are not off-limits. This kind of unpredictability is what makes counterterrorism so difficult in Kashmir.
With the manhunt now in full swing, authorities hope to make arrests soon. But the scars left behind—on the victims, the locals, and the image of Kashmir—will take far longer to heal.
