2 Foreigners Among Tourists Killed by Terrorists in J&K’s Pahalgam: Reports
The picturesque town of Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir was rocked by a terror attack on Tuesday, leaving 27 tourists dead and several others injured. According to reports, one Israeli national and one Italian national were among the victims of the attack, which was claimed by Pakistan-based terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba’s offshoot, The Resistance Front.
The attack occurred in the Baisaran area of Pahalgam, which is a popular tourist destination in Kashmir. The tourists were on a trekking trip when they were ambushed by the terrorists. The attack was carried out by around four to six terrorists, who used firearms and grenades to target the tourists.
The incident has sent shockwaves across the country, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha all condemning the attack. The Prime Minister has also spoken to Jammu and Kashmir Chief Secretary and Director General of Police to take stock of the situation and ensure that the culprits are brought to justice.
The attack is being seen as a major blow to the tourism industry in Jammu and Kashmir, which has been struggling to recover from the effects of the pandemic. The state government has been working hard to promote tourism in the region, and the attack is likely to have a significant impact on the industry.
The Israeli national who was killed in the attack has been identified as 31-year-old Avraham Mangisto. He was on a solo trip to India and was trekking in the Pahalgam area when the attack occurred. The Italian national who was killed has been identified as 23-year-old Lorenzo Mazzonetto. He was on a group tour to India and was also trekking in the Pahalgam area when the attack occurred.
The attack has also raised concerns about the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir. The state has been under a security lockdown since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, and the attack is seen as a major challenge to the security forces. The Jammu and Kashmir Police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) have launched a massive operation to track down the terrorists involved in the attack and bring them to justice.
The attack has also been condemned by the international community, with many countries expressing their deep condolences to the families of the victims. The United States, the European Union, and several other countries have all condemned the attack and called for the perpetrators to be brought to justice.
In a statement, the US Department of State said, “We strongly condemn the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, India, that resulted in the deaths of 27 tourists. Our thoughts are with the families and loved ones of the victims. We urge all parties to refrain from violence and to work towards a peaceful resolution to the conflict in the region.”
Similarly, the European Union said, “The EU strongly condemns the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, India, which has resulted in the deaths of 27 tourists. We express our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims. We call on all parties to refrain from violence and to work towards a peaceful resolution to the conflict in the region.”
The attack has also raised questions about the role of Pakistan in the region. The Lashkar-e-Taiba and its offshoot, The Resistance Front, are both believed to be backed by Pakistan, and the attack is seen as a major challenge to the country’s efforts to promote peace in the region.
In recent years, there have been several attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, including the Pulwama attack in 2019, which was carried out by a Pakistan-based terrorist group and resulted in the deaths of 40 Central Reserve Police Force personnel. The attack was widely condemned by the international community, and Pakistan was forced to take action against the terrorist group.
The attack in Pahalgam is a reminder of the challenges that India faces in the region, and the need for sustained efforts to promote peace and stability. The incident is also a major blow to the tourism industry in Jammu and Kashmir, and it is likely to have a significant impact on the economy of the state.
As the investigation into the attack continues, the people of Jammu and Kashmir are coming together to mourn the loss of life and to condemn the attack. The incident is a reminder of the importance of peace and stability in the region, and the need for sustained efforts to promote tourism and economic development.
