(Image source from: Ndtv.com)

In a terrorist incident in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, today, at least five tourists sustained injuries. Security personnel along with medical responders have swiftly arrived at the scene. Sounds of gunfire were reported in the higher meadows of Baisaran Valley, an area that can only be accessed on foot or via horseback. The attackers were reportedly disguised, suggesting that this was a premeditated assault. Pahalgam, renowned for its lush forests, pristine lakes, and vast meadows, remains a favored destination for travelers.

This violent event coincided with the peak tourism season in the Valley and during the ongoing registration for the current year’s Amarnath Yatra nationwide. The pilgrimage, lasting 38 days, is scheduled to commence on July 3 from two routes: the 48-kilometer Pahalgam route in Anantnag district and the 14-kilometer Baltal route in Ganderbal district, which, although shorter, is steeper.

Recently, during a visit to Jammu and Kashmir, Union Home Minister Amit Shah led a comprehensive security review meeting. He emphasized the need to totally eliminate terrorism, particularly focusing on the Jammu division, and instructed that there be a strict policy of zero tolerance towards infiltration.