The terror attack that occurred on Tuesday afternoon in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, has left the region in shock, with 26 confirmed dead and several others injured. Among the victims were Manish Ranjan, an Intelligence Bureau (IB) officer from Hyderabad, and Lieutenant Vinay Narwal, a young Indian Navy officer who was on his honeymoon.
Key Details of the Attack:
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Manish Ranjan had been working in the IB’s Hyderabad office for the last two years and was on a Leave Travel Concession (LTC) trip with his wife and children. The attack occurred as he was in the Baisaran area of Anantnag district, a popular tourist spot. He was tragically shot dead in front of his family.
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Lieutenant Vinay Narwal, who had been married only four days earlier, was also killed during the attack. He was stationed in Kochi and had traveled to Kashmir for his honeymoon.
The attack was carried out by terrorists dressed in fatigues, who opened fire on a group of tourists. The targeting of tourists in a peaceful area like Pahalgam, a location that attracts travelers for its scenic beauty, makes this incident even more devastating.
Immediate Response:
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Indian Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police acted quickly, launching a Joint Search Operation in the surrounding forested areas to locate the attackers.
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Medical teams were deployed, and casualty evacuation began under strict security measures to transport the wounded.
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Security forces remain on high alert in the region, and investigations are ongoing to identify the perpetrators and track their movements.
Broader Impact:
The attack represents one of the deadliest in recent years, and it is particularly concerning due to the targeting of innocent civilians and tourists. Two foreign nationals—one from Nepal and the other from the UAE—were also killed. The Resistance Front (TRF), an offshoot of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, has claimed responsibility for the attack.
As investigations continue, the region remains on edge, with the Indian government vowing to bring those responsible to justice.
