PAHALGAM, KASHMIR — What began as a peaceful summer day in the idyllic hills of Pahalgam turned into unimaginable horror. Families had come to this scenic corner of Indian-administered Kashmir to escape the heat, find peace, and make memories. But for many, those dreams were shattered in a hail of bullets.
At least 24 people lost their lives on Tuesday in what is being described as the deadliest attack on civilians in the region in years. According to eyewitnesses, gunmen emerged suddenly from the nearby forest and opened fire near a small meadow — a place where laughter and the clip-clop of pony rides usually fill the air.
“It was like a storm,” one local, who rents out ponies to tourists, told AFP. He asked not to be named, his voice shaking as he recalled the moment. “They came out of the forest and started shooting. I don’t know how many. But I saw with my own eyes — they spared the women and shot only the men. Sometimes it was just one shot. Other times, many. It was terrifying.”
Among the victims was a man from Karnataka, who had been enjoying a family trip with his wife, Pallavi, and their young son. “It felt like a bad dream,” Pallavi later shared. Her voice broke as she recounted how her husband was shot in front of her. “I begged them, ‘Kill me too.’ One of them looked at me and said, ‘I won’t kill you. Go tell this to Modi.’”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the killings a “heinous act” and promised that those responsible would be brought to justice.
No group has claimed responsibility for the massacre. The region has long been a flashpoint, with insurgents fighting for either independence or a merger with Pakistan since 1989. India has consistently accused Pakistan of backing the insurgency — an accusation Pakistan denies.
Tragically, this attack happened just a day after Modi met with U.S. Vice President JD Vance in New Delhi. One security official suggested that foreign tourists might be among the victims, but that has not yet been confirmed.
Kashmir, with its breathtaking views and tranquil valleys, has seen a boom in tourism — over 3.5 million visitors in 2024 alone. Authorities had been working hard to brand the region as a peaceful getaway, far from its troubled past. But Tuesday’s violence has left scars that may take years to heal.
“This land has always been about beauty and spirituality,” the pony owner said quietly. “Now, it’s full of sorrow.”
As the sun sets over the once-busy meadow, silence returns — not the peaceful kind, but the haunting stillness of grief.
