Earlier on Tuesday morning, terrorists opened fire indiscriminately at tourists, claiming the lives of 27 people. Several civilians were also reportedly injured and taken to the Pahalgam local hospital for treatment. The administration in Jammu and Kashmir has not yet put out any statements regarding the injuries or the deceased. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a State visit to Saudi Arabia, held a telephone conversation with Union Home Minister Amit Shah following the terrorist attack on innocent tourists in the Pahalgam area of Anantnag district instructed him visit the site of attack personally to assess the situation and take necessary measures immediately in response to the attack.

Taking to X, PM Modi said, "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 all 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,” he added.

Holding a security review meeting, Amit Shah strongly condemned the attack and said the perpetrators would face the harshest consequences. Expressing his condolence, he wrote on X, "Anguished by the terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. My thoughts are with the family members of the deceased. Those involved in this dastardly act of terror will not be spared, and we will come down heavily on the perpetrators with the harshest consequences"......

“The death toll is still being ascertained, so I don’t want to get into those details. They will be officially conveyed as the situation becomes clearer. Needless to say, this attack is much larger than anything we’ve seen directed at civilians in recent years," said Omar Abdullah, Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir. 

“I’m shocked beyond belief. This attack on our visitors is an abomination. The perpetrators of this attack are animals, inhuman & worthy of contempt. No words of condemnation are enough. I send my sympathies to the families of the deceased,” he said.

The attack was targeted at Hindu tourists. As per videos circulating on social media, a woman seeking help to save his husband shot by the terrorists was saying, "Since he was not Muslim, he was shot dead".

Leaders from across the political spectrum have strongly condemned the attack, describing it as a severe blow to peace as well as tourism in the region.

National Conference leader Imran Nabi Dar called it a “dark day” for Kashmir’s tourism. “This is a dark day for Kashmir and Kashmiri tourism. The tourism season was just about to begin, and this unfortunate incident occurred. We unequivocally condemn this incident…Kashmir is known for hospitality…We appeal to the LG administration to find out who is behind these incidents…,” he said.

The BJP leader Ravinder Raina, while addressing from Nowshera, said, ‘Pakistani terrorists have carried out a cowardly terrorist attack on tourists in Pahalgam, South Kashmir. Cowardly Pakistani terrorists cannot face the brave soldiers of the Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police and our paramilitary forces.’ 

He said that unarmed civilians were deliberately targeted, saying, “These cowardly terrorists have targeted unarmed, innocent tourists who had come to visit Kashmir. Some tourists have been admitted to the local hospital in an injured condition,” he added.