Terrorists open fire at tourists in J&K's Pahalgam: Top developments

NEW DELHI: Terrorists opened fire on tourists on Tuesday in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag district, injuring at least 20 people. The incident occurred at the Baisaran Valley area in Pahalgam.

Gunshots were heard in Pahalgam, popularly known as "mini-Switzerland".

Soon after the attack, security forces were deployed in the area, which is accessible only on foot or horseback, making the rescue and response efforts more challenging.

Here are the top developments

• PM Modi had a telephonic conversation with Union home minister Amit Shah on the Pahalgam terror attack and asked him to take all suitable measures. The PM also asked the home minister to visit the site.
• PM Modi strongly condemned the terror attack in Pahalgam. "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," the PM said.
• Amit Shah said that "those involved in this dastardly act of terror will not be spared".
• Officials have confirmed injuries among tourists, though the extent is yet to be fully determined.
• "My husband was shot in the head while seven others were also injured in the attack," a woman survivor told PTI over phone.
• Reacting to the attacks, Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah said he was "shocked beyond belief" and expressed sympathies to the families of the deceased.
• BJP leader Ravindra Raina claimed Pakistani terrorists were behind the attack and that both the terrorists and those helping them would be punished.
• A doctor at the Pahalgam hospital said 12 injured tourists were admitted there and the condition of all of them was stable.
• Authorities pressed a chopper into service for the evacuation of the injured, the officials said, adding some of the wounded were brought down from the meadows by local people on their ponies.