Navy officer, IB personnel among 27 killed in Pahalgam terror attack; Amit Shah reaches Srinagar

The deceased 26-year-old Indian Navy officer, Lt Vinay Narwal, got married four days ago in Haryana's Karnal.

According to reports, the IB officer was killed infront of his wife.

In one of the worst terror strikes that targeted tourists in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam amid the ongoing visit of US Vice-President JD Vance to India, gunmen killed at least 27 people and wounded many others after identifying them as non-Muslims on Tuesday, triggering a nationwide outrage and condemnation from all quarters, according to media reports.

Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, joined by Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, has reached Srinagar and may visit the attack area as well.

While TV9 Network put the toll at 27, various media reports confirmed more than 20 deaths in the attack and several injuries that prompted Union Home Minister Amit Shah to rush to Srinagar after he wrapped up a high-level meeting in Delhi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is currently visiting Saudi Arabia, condemned the attack and vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Gunshots were heard in the upper meadows of Pahalgam's Baisaran Valley around 2:30 PM, which is accessible only on foot or on horseback.

The terrorists were apparently in camouflage, and it is believed to be a targeted attack.

The attackers reportedly asked about the religious identities of the victims before opening fire on them.

The terrorists, survivors said, checked for circumcision of the men and forced them to recite ‘kalma’ before killing them. 

They reportedly opened fire on the tourists when they were horse riding in the area.

"Anguished by the terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. My thoughts are with the family members of the deceased. Those involved in this dastardly act of terror will not be spared, and we will come down heavily on the perpetrators with the harshest consequences. Briefed PM Modi about the incident and held a meeting with the concerned officials via video conferencing. Will shortly leave for Srinagar to hold an urgent security review meeting with all the agencies," Shah said in a post on X earlier in the day.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has strongly condemned the attack, assuring that those behind this heinous act will be brought to justice.

"I strongly condemn the terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. I pray that the injured recover at the earliest. All possible assistance is being provided to those affected. Those behind this heinous act will be brought to justice...they will not be spared! Their evil agenda will never succeed. Our resolve to fight terrorism is unshakeable and it will get even stronger," the Prime Minister said in a post on X.

In a telephonic conversation, PM Modi asked Union Minister Amit Shah to visit the attack site and take all suitable measures.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) will soon take over the case, said reports.

Tourists from Karnataka, Maharashtra, Bengal killed

Two tourists from Maharashtra and one from Karnataka were among those killed in Pahalgam.

A realtor from Shivamogga district in Karnataka was allegedly shot dead in front of his wife and son.

A survivor said the militants opened fire on them after asking about their religious identities. One of the women survivors was heard saying: "We were eating bhelpuri when they approached us." "They said my husband was not a Muslim and then shot at him," she said.

Another survivor could be seen in the video asking locals to help her husband. "Please, save my husband," she could be heard saying in the video.

Security officers escorting a tourist survivor in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror strike. Photo courtesy: screenshot from X

Two tourists - identified as Dilip Disle and Atul Mone - from Maharashtra have lost their lives, said Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Two others were injured in this terrorist attack, he said.

Two officers from the Navy and the Intelligence Bureau were also killed in the attack.

A 40-year-old IT professional from Bengal, Bitan Adhikary, was killed in the deadly terrorist attack. He had gone to Kashmir with his son and wife. While the son and wife are stable, Bitan's body will be brought back to Bengal after the post-mortem is conducted in Kashmir. The family was set to return on April 24th.

A 40-year-old IT professional from Bengal, Bitan Adhikary, was killed in the deadly terrorist attack. He had gone to Kashmir with his son and wife. Photo courtesy: Rupak De Choudhuri/IBNS

The Mamata Banerjee government has assured his family members of all support in bringing back the body.

Pahalgam attracts a large number of tourists every year.

India Today news channel reported that The Resistance Front (TRF), a shadow outfit of Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba, has claimed responsibility for the incident.

The attack took place at a time when Jammu and Kashmir is witnessing a spike in tourist footfalls.

The registration for the annual Amarnath Yatra pilgrimage is also ongoing.

The 38-day pilgrimage will begin on July 3.