Pahalgam Terror Attack Survivor Records Chilling Video Amidst Gunfire
Srinagar, 23rd April 2025: A tourist’s harrowing video capturing the Pahalgam terror attack, where militants fired indiscriminately at a resort, has gone viral, exposing the chaos as victims narrowly escaped. The clip shows panicked tourists recounting their ordeal while rapid gunfire echoes in the background. At least 27 people, mostly tourists, were killed in Tuesday’s attack, which lasted 20-25 minutes, marking one of the deadliest strikes in Jammu and Kashmir in recent years.
Five militants stormed the resort in the famed tourist hub of Pahalgam, systematically targeting visitors by name and religion before shooting them at close range. Survivors described how attackers fled into nearby forests after the massacre. The video, widely shared on social media, features a tourist stating, “We narrowly escaped… God saved us,” as gunshots ring out.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi cut short his Saudi Arabia visit to return to India, while Home Minister Amit Shah met Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah late Tuesday. Shah is scheduled to visit injured victims on Wednesday. Security forces have launched a massive combing operation to track the attackers, suspected to belong to Pakistan-backed Lashkar-e-Taiba.
Official Response and Public Outcry:
The attack has triggered nationwide condemnation, with political parties across Jammu and Kashmir calling for a statewide shutdown on Wednesday. The ruling National Conference, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Hurriyat Conference endorsed the strike, urging citizens to protest the “cowardly act.” Mehbooba Mufti, PDP chief, termed the incident “an assault on Kashmiriyat,” while Sajjad Lone of the Peoples Conference demanded stricter counter-terror measures.
Survivors and Eyewitness Accounts:
Eyewitnesses reported militants asking victims about their religious affiliations before shooting. A tourist from Gujarat, who requested anonymity, said, “They checked names… fired instantly if you belonged to a certain community.” Another survivor, hospitalized with bullet injuries, described scenes of panic as visitors fled into nearby woods.
Security and Tourism Impact:
The attack has raised serious concerns about tourist safety in Kashmir, which had seen a resurgence in visitors over the past two years. Several tourists have begun leaving Pahalgam, with one stating, “The situation here is not normal.” Authorities have intensified patrols along pilgrimage and tourist routes, including the Amarnath Yatra trail, which passes through Pahalgam.
Political Reactions:
PM Modi is expected to visit Jammu and Kashmir later today to assess the security situation. Meanwhile, Omar Abdullah emphasized the need for “unity against terrorism,” urging central and state agencies to enhance intelligence-sharing. Security analysts attribute the attack to attempts by Pakistan-based groups to destabilize the region ahead of the annual Amarnath Yatra, scheduled to begin next month.
The incident has reignited debates over counter-terrorism strategies, with demands for tougher action against cross-border infiltration. Home Ministry officials confirmed that drone surveillance and satellite monitoring along the Line of Control (LoC) will be escalated.
