At least 26 tourists lost their lives and several others sustained injuries after a group of unidentified gunmen opened fire at the popular Baisaran meadow near Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday afternoon.

According to local officials, the incident occurred around 2:30pm when a group of visitors was present at the Baisaran mountain top, located approximately five kilometers from Pahalgam and accessible only by foot or pony rides.

Eyewitnesses reported scenes of panic and chaos as gunshots rang out, prompting nearby locals to rush to the aid of the injured.

Visuals from the site showed distressing scenes with bodies lying on the ground and women in tears. Several injured individuals were moved to nearby hospitals, with some shifted to GMC Anantnag for further treatment.

Police sources confirmed that security forces arrived shortly after the firing and cordoned off the entire area. A search operation was launched to trace the assailants.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah was briefed on the incident by senior officials, including those from the Intelligence Bureau and the Ministry of Home Affairs. Shah chaired a high-level emergency meeting and is expected to arrive in Srinagar late Tuesday evening to assess the situation and meet security personnel.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also spoke with the Home Minister and directed that all necessary steps be taken to ensure the safety of civilians and strengthen security measures in sensitive areas. “My thoughts are with the families of those who lost their lives. The culprits will face the strictest consequences,” Shah said in a post on X.

Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed deep grief, calling the incident "an abomination" and stating that no words of condemnation could do justice to the gravity of the situation. He said he would return to Srinagar immediately and added that a senior party colleague had already reached the hospital to monitor arrangements for the injured.

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha directed local authorities and medical teams to extend all possible assistance to the injured. “An injured tourist has been evacuated to GMC Anantnag. I pray for the swift recovery of all those who are hurt,” he stated.

Former Chief Minister and Peoples Democratic Party chief Mehbooba Mufti also condemned the incident, describing it as a "cowardly" act. “Historically, Kashmir has always welcomed tourists with open arms, which makes today’s tragedy even more painful,” she posted on social media. She further called for a detailed investigation into the incident and urged authorities to examine any possible security gaps.

While no group has officially claimed responsibility for the incident, the region — which has seen a decline in violence over recent years — has occasionally witnessed such targeted shootings, especially during the busy summer tourism season.

In June last year, a similar incident involving a tourist bus led to multiple casualties. Observers noted that while the overall security situation had improved in recent times, incidents like these pose a setback to local efforts to restore normalcy and promote tourism in the region.

Thousands of visitors travel to Pahalgam each summer to enjoy the scenic beauty of the Kashmir Valley. The latest incident is being seen as a major concern for both tourists and local stakeholders invested in the region’s economic and social recovery.