2 Foreigners Among Tourists Killed by Terrorists in J&K’s Pahalgam: Reports
In a horrific incident, 27 tourists were killed in a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam on Tuesday. The attack, which was claimed by Pakistan-based terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba’s offshoot The Resistance Front, has sent shockwaves across the country. What makes this attack even more tragic is that two foreign nationals were among the victims.
According to reports, an Israeli national and an Italian national were among those killed in the attack. The incident has raised serious concerns about the safety and security of tourists in the region, and has sparked outrage across the globe.
The attack took place in the Baisaran area of Pahalgam, which is a popular tourist destination in Jammu and Kashmir. The tourists, who were mostly from different parts of India, were targeted by a group of four to six terrorists, who opened fire on them. The attack was carried out at around 2:30 pm, when the tourists were taking a stroll in the picturesque valley.
The terrorists, who were reportedly armed with AK-47 rifles and hand grenades, created panic among the tourists, who were left running for their lives. The attack was so sudden and unexpected that many of the victims did not even have time to react before they were struck by the bullets.
The Indian security forces, who were in the area, responded quickly to the attack and cordoned off the area. The terrorists, however, managed to escape, and the security forces are still engaged in a search operation to track them down.
The attack has sent shockwaves across the country, with the government and opposition parties condemning the incident in strongest terms. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha have all condemned the attack, and have expressed their condolences to the families of the victims.
The state government has also announced an ex-gratia relief of Rs 5 lakh to the families of the victims, and Rs 2 lakh to those who were injured in the attack. The Indian embassy in Israel and the Italian embassy in India have also issued statements condemning the attack and offering condolences to the families of the victims.
The attack has also raised concerns about the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir, which has been facing a surge in terrorist attacks in recent months. The state has been under increased security alert since the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019, which led to a significant increase in the number of terrorist attacks.
The attack has also highlighted the need for better coordination between the state and central governments to ensure the safety and security of tourists in the region. The state government has promised to take all necessary measures to ensure that the tourists are safe, and has asked the tourists to exercise caution while traveling in the region.
The incident is a stark reminder of the dangers of terrorism, and the need for international cooperation to combat this menace. The attack has also raised concerns about the role of Pakistan-based terrorist groups, which have been involved in several terrorist attacks in the region.
As the investigation into the attack continues, the families of the victims are left to mourn the loss of their loved ones. The incident is a tragedy that will be remembered for a long time, and it is a stark reminder of the importance of peace and security in the region.
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