SRINAGAR, Kashmir — What was meant to be a peaceful holiday for families and friends turned into a scene of horror and heartbreak in the meadows of Pahalgam, Kashmir. At least 26 innocent tourists—people who had simply come to enjoy the beauty of the valley—were gunned down in a sudden and brutal attack that has shaken the region and the nation to its core.
Witnesses describe the chaos as gunmen opened fire at close range, targeting a group of travelers who had gathered in the picturesque Baisaran meadow, just a few kilometers from the bustling resort town. Among them were children, couples, elders—people who had come seeking peace but found violence.
“It was supposed to be a break, a moment of calm in nature. I still can’t believe they’re gone,” said one survivor, tears streaking down her dust-covered face as ambulances screamed in the background. Over 30 others were injured, many of them fighting for their lives in local hospitals.
Authorities have called it a “terror attack,” one of the worst aimed at civilians in recent years. Police say four gunmen are responsible, and a manhunt is underway. No group has claimed responsibility, but the attack has intensified already-high tensions in the conflict-scarred region.
Omar Abdullah, a senior political leader in Kashmir, called it “a dark day for every Kashmiri who has ever welcomed a guest with open arms.” His message was echoed by religious leaders, including Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, who condemned the attack as “cowardly and heartbreaking.”
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is cutting short an overseas trip, returning to New Delhi to oversee the response. Meanwhile, Home Minister Amit Shah arrived in Srinagar, promising swift justice and “the harshest consequences” for those behind the massacre.
International voices have also spoken out. U.S. Vice President JD Vance, in India at the time, called it a “devastating act of terror,” and leaders from around the world—from President Donald Trump to Russia’s Vladimir Putin—expressed solidarity with India and condolences for the victims.
But beyond the political reactions and media headlines, a deeper pain simmers. Kashmir, once known as a paradise on earth, is again stained with blood—its mountains echoing the cries of those who lost loved ones in what should have been a simple getaway.
In recent years, Kashmir has seen a massive boom in tourism. The peaceful meadow of Pahalgam, surrounded by snowy peaks and whispering pines, had become a symbol of cautious hope. Until yesterday.
“This is not who we are,” said a local shopkeeper, placing a flower at the edge of the meadow where bodies had lain just hours earlier. “Kashmir is meant to heal people, not hurt them.”
As investigations continue and security tightens, one thing remains clear: no vacationer should have to fear for their life. And no family should have to bring home only memories of loss from a place that once promised joy.
