Overview

• Twenty-six people, including 25 tourists, were killed in a targeted attack at Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam on April 22, with militants demanding victims prove their religion.
• Authorities have released sketches of three attackers, identified as one local and two Pakistanis, and announced ₹20 lakh rewards for information leading to their capture.
• The attack exposed severe security lapses, as the area lacked armed personnel, relying solely on four unarmed tourist police guards for safety.
• Local Kashmiri guides and residents displayed exceptional bravery, risking their lives to save tourists, including leading children to safety under fire.
• The attack has devastated Kashmir’s booming tourism industry, with widespread cancellations, an exodus of visitors, and local businesses facing economic ruin.