The harrowing aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack continues to surface, with a chilling video now highlighting the deep trauma endured by survivors—many of whom initially mistook Indian Army personnel for the very terrorists who had just opened fire on them.
The footage, reportedly filmed just minutes after the assault on the Baisaran meadow, shows petrified tourists breaking down as they encountered armed soldiers. In their state of shock, they couldn’t distinguish between the Indian Army in fatigues and the terrorists who had launched the ambush, also disguised in military gear.
One of the most heart-wrenching moments in the video involves a woman clutching her child, sobbing and pleading with folded hands:
“Please don’t hurt my child.”
She had likely just witnessed her husband being killed in the attack. Her son, equally terrified, began crying loudly, unable to process the trauma. A soldier, visibly moved, gently said:
“We’re Indian Army. We are here to protect you.”
The woman later collapsed, likely from a mix of grief, exhaustion, and shock. Soldiers can be seen rushing to assist her, giving her water and attending to other injured survivors, while trying to calm the group and coordinate emergency help.
This emotional fallout underscores the psychological scars left by the attack that killed at least 26 people, including two foreign nationals (from the UAE and Nepal) and two locals. It’s now being regarded as one of the worst terror strikes on civilians in Kashmir in recent memory.
Additional Context:
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Terrorists in disguise: Around five to six heavily armed men in army-style uniforms opened fire at the popular hilltop destination, which is accessible only on foot or by pony rides, making it difficult to flee quickly.
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The Resistance Front (TRF), a Lashkar-e-Taiba proxy group, has claimed responsibility for the massacre, which Indian intelligence links to Pakistan-based handlers, including Saifullah Kasuri, a known LeT commander.
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Chief Minister Omar Abdullah described the attack as "much larger than anything we've seen directed at civilians in recent years,” indicating the scale and intent of this act was designed for maximum psychological and political impact.
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PM Modi, who cut short his visit to Saudi Arabia, met top officials upon landing and has vowed retribution, while Home Minister Amit Shah is on the ground in Srinagar, supervising counterterror operations and victim support.
This tragic video has added a deeply human dimension to the already devastating tragedy—reminding the nation that beyond the statistics are families broken, children traumatized, and a community forever scarred by a terror attack disguised as a day of peace and leisure.
