The terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, has left 26 people dead, with victims coming from various states across India and even from abroad. The attack occurred as tourists, including families, were enjoying the scenic beauty of the Baisaran meadow. Among the 26 victims, there were individuals from Maharashtra (6), West Bengal (2), Uttarakhand (1), Haryana (1), Uttar Pradesh (1), Bihar (1), Punjab (1), Kerala (1), Gujarat (3), Karnataka (3), Odisha (1), Andhra Pradesh (1), Madhya Pradesh (1), Arunachal Pradesh (1), as well as a tourist from Nepal and a local from Pahalgam.
Victims of the Attack:
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Lieutenant Vinay Narwal, an Indian Navy officer from Haryana (Karnal), who had married just four days ago, was also killed while on his honeymoon with his wife. The officer's wife recounted that the gunman targeted her husband, stating that he was not a Muslim before fatally shooting him.
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Manish Ranjan, an Intelligence Bureau (IB) officer, was killed along with his family during the attack. His tragic death adds to the loss of security personnel in the region.
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Prashant Satpathy, a tourist from Balasore, Odisha, was also killed while vacationing with his wife and their 8-year-old son. His elder brother, Susanta Satpathy, spoke with authorities, expressing his grief over the loss and concern for his brother's family.
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Bitan Adhikari, a TCS techie based in the United States and originally from West Bengal, was among the victims. His wife and 3-year-old son survived, and Mamata Banerjee, the Chief Minister of West Bengal, assured the family that all efforts would be made to bring his body back home.
The Attack:
Eyewitnesses described how the terrorists checked the IDs of the tourists and specifically targeted non-Muslims, executing them point-blank. The Resistance Front (TRF), a group affiliated with the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), claimed responsibility for the attack. The attack occurred during a time when US Vice President JD Vance was on a visit to India, making it a moment of international concern as well.
Government's Response:
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Authorities have started an investigation and have provided updates on the victims from various regions, offering condolences to their families.
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The government of West Bengal has promised assistance to the family of Bitan Adhikari, ensuring the return of his remains to Kolkata.
This heinous attack has sent shockwaves across the country, drawing strong condemnation from political leaders, including West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the Indian government. It underscores the persistent threat posed by terrorist groups in the region and the vulnerability of innocent civilians and tourists.
