The peaceful facade of a popular holiday destination in India was shattered as details emerged of the grisly massacre that killed 26 tourists in Pahalgam, known as the “Switzerland of India”. Gunmen unleashed terror last night, methodically shooting at least 26 tourists dead, in an act that has left the town reeling.
Police report that armed militants targeted the unsuspecting tourists at close range. The attack occurred around 3pm local time, and resulted in dozens more being injured; many remain in critical condition.
Despite the carnage, Indian police have informed The Associated Press that so far no group has come forward to claim responsibility for this heinous act.
In a heart-wrenching account, one woman who narrowly escaped the nightmare recounted the ordeal to reporters. 26 year old Asavari Jagdale was on a leisure trip when tragedy struck, claiming the lives of her father, Santosh Jagdale, and uncle, Kaustubh Ganbote.
They were among a group of five visiting from Pune, becoming casualties in the unexpected violence, reports the Daily Star.
Describing the cold-blooded selection process, Asavari revealed, “(The terrorists) specifically targeted male tourists after asking whether they were Hindu or Muslim. They said, ‘Chaudhari tu bahar aa ja'”.
This taunting call, translating to “Chaudhari, you come outside,” used a term conventionally meaning “someone important” but repurposed with bitter sarcasm. What followed was a brutal strike on a tent full of people before one assailant turned the gun towards Asavari’s uncle, marking yet another dark chapter in the beautiful yet tumultuous region.
She recounted the harrowing ordeal: “They asked my father to come out. Then accused us of supporting Prime Minister Modi. They claimed they don’t kill innocent people (women and children) as if to justify what they were about to do.”
The assailants then coerced Santosh to recite an Islamic verse believed to be the Kalma – the fundamental declaration of faith, also known as Shahada – which he could not.
Upon his inability to recite it, they shot him thrice; once in the head, once behind the ear, and a third time in the back. They then subjected her father to the same brutal execution.
She continued: “There was nobody to help. No police, no army, they arrived 20 minutes too late. Even some locals nearby began reciting Islamic verses aloud.
“(Eventually help came and) we were taken to the Pahalgam Club after a medical check-up, but nothing can erase what we saw.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his outrage on social media, stating: “I strongly condemn the terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones.
“I pray that the injured recover at the earliest. All possible assistance is being provided to those affected. Those behind this heinous act will be brought to justice…they will not be spared! Their evil agenda will never succeed. Our resolve to fight terrorism is unshakable and it will get even stronger.”