Pahalgam, a picturesque town nestled in the Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir, was struck by a brutal terrorist attack on Tuesday, leaving 26 people dead, including tourists and an Indian Navy officer.
The attack, which took place around 3 pm, targeted visitors in one of Kashmir's most picturesque regions, and is likey to impact its tourists during a prime religious season.
The town holds profound importance in the context of the Amarnath Yatra. During the yatra season, Pahalgam becomes a vibrant centre of religious fervor, attracting both pilgrims and tourists alike, making it a vital link between the devotees and their destination.
Every year, thousands of Hindu pilgrims from across the globe converge there to embark on the spiritual journey to the sacred Amarnath Cave, which houses a naturally occurring ice Shiva lingam. The route from Pahalgam is considered scenic and spiritually enriching, passing through significant stops such as Chandanwari, Sheshnag, and Panchtarni.
The town serves as the traditional base camp for the yatra, offering pilgrims essential facilities like accommodation, medical support, and transportation for the arduous trek ahead. Its strategic location and tranquil surroundings have made it a crucial hub for the pilgrimage, solidifying Pahalgam’s place in the heart of Kashmir's spiritual landscape.
During Tuesday’s attack, the terrorists emerged from the Baisaran Valley mountains and unleashed gunfire on unsuspecting tourists.
Chronology of major terrorist attacks in Kashmir
March 21, 2000: Militants attacked the Sikh community in Chattisinghpora, Anantnag, killing 36 people.
August 2000: A deadly assault at the Nunwan base camp killed 32 people, including Amarnath pilgrims.
July 2001: Thirteen people were killed in an attack targeting pilgrims at the Sheshnag base camp.
October 1, 2001: A suicide bombing at the Jammu & Kashmir State Legislature Complex in Srinagar left 36 dead.
2002: An attack at Chandanwari base camp claimed the lives of 11 Amarnath pilgrims.
November 23, 2002: An IED blast on the Jammu-Srinagar highway killed 19 people, including nine security personnel and several civilians.
March 23, 2003: In Nandimarg village, Pulwama, terrorists massacred 24 Kashmiri Pandits, including women and children.
June 13, 2005: A car bomb explosion in Pulwama killed 13 civilians, including schoolchildren, and injured over 100 others.
June 12, 2006: Nine labourers from Nepal and Bihar were killed by terrorists in Kulgam.
July 10, 2017: An Amarnath Yatra bus was attacked in Kulgam, killing eight people.
February 14, 2019: The Pulwama bombing killed 40 CRPF personnel, marking one of the most devastating terrorist attacks targeting security forces in the region.
The attack, which took place around 3 pm, targeted visitors in one of Kashmir's most picturesque regions, and is likey to impact its tourists during a prime religious season.
The town holds profound importance in the context of the Amarnath Yatra. During the yatra season, Pahalgam becomes a vibrant centre of religious fervor, attracting both pilgrims and tourists alike, making it a vital link between the devotees and their destination.
Every year, thousands of Hindu pilgrims from across the globe converge there to embark on the spiritual journey to the sacred Amarnath Cave, which houses a naturally occurring ice Shiva lingam. The route from Pahalgam is considered scenic and spiritually enriching, passing through significant stops such as Chandanwari, Sheshnag, and Panchtarni.
The town serves as the traditional base camp for the yatra, offering pilgrims essential facilities like accommodation, medical support, and transportation for the arduous trek ahead. Its strategic location and tranquil surroundings have made it a crucial hub for the pilgrimage, solidifying Pahalgam’s place in the heart of Kashmir's spiritual landscape.
During Tuesday’s attack, the terrorists emerged from the Baisaran Valley mountains and unleashed gunfire on unsuspecting tourists.
Chronology of major terrorist attacks in Kashmir
March 21, 2000: Militants attacked the Sikh community in Chattisinghpora, Anantnag, killing 36 people.
August 2000: A deadly assault at the Nunwan base camp killed 32 people, including Amarnath pilgrims.
July 2001: Thirteen people were killed in an attack targeting pilgrims at the Sheshnag base camp.
October 1, 2001: A suicide bombing at the Jammu & Kashmir State Legislature Complex in Srinagar left 36 dead.
2002: An attack at Chandanwari base camp claimed the lives of 11 Amarnath pilgrims.
November 23, 2002: An IED blast on the Jammu-Srinagar highway killed 19 people, including nine security personnel and several civilians.
March 23, 2003: In Nandimarg village, Pulwama, terrorists massacred 24 Kashmiri Pandits, including women and children.
June 13, 2005: A car bomb explosion in Pulwama killed 13 civilians, including schoolchildren, and injured over 100 others.
June 12, 2006: Nine labourers from Nepal and Bihar were killed by terrorists in Kulgam.
July 10, 2017: An Amarnath Yatra bus was attacked in Kulgam, killing eight people.
February 14, 2019: The Pulwama bombing killed 40 CRPF personnel, marking one of the most devastating terrorist attacks targeting security forces in the region.
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