The attack took place around 3 pm and aimed at tourists in one of the most scenic areas of Kashmir and affecting their visitors during a major religious season.
In the context of Amarnath Yatra, the town is very important. During the Yatra season, Pahalgam becomes a vibrant center of religious enthusiasm, attracting pilgrims and tourists, making it an important connection between devotees and destination.
Every year, thousands of Hindu pilgrims from all over the world gather there to embark on a spiritual journey of the divine Amarnath Cave, which houses the naturally-occurring Ice Shiva Lingam. The route from Pahalgam is considered scenic and spiritually enriched, passing through important sites such as Chandanwari, Sheshnag and Panchtarni.
The town is the traditional base camp of YATRA, providing essential facilities for pilgrims such as arduous treks, medical support and transportation. Its strategic location and tranquil environment make it a key hub for pilgrimage, solidifying Pahalgam’s position at the heart of Kashmir’s spiritual landscape.
During Tuesday’s attack, terrorists emerged from the Baisaran Valley Mountains and released gunfire with unsuspecting tourists.
The chronology of major terrorist attacks in Kashmir
March 21, 2000: Militants attacked the Sikh community in Anatnagachaatpera and killed 36 people.August 2000: The fatal attack at Nunnwang base camp killed 32 people, including Amanat pilgrims.
July 200113 people were killed in an attack on pilgrims against Sheshnag base camp.
October 1, 2001: Suicide bomb attack at the Jamu & Kashmir State Legislature Complex in Srinagar killed 36 people.
2002: The attack at Chandanwari base camp claimed the lives of 11 Amarnath pilgrims.
November 23, 2002: An explosive explosion occurred on the Jamu-Srinagar highway, killing 19 people, including nine security personnel and several civilians.
March 23, 2003: In the Nandimarg Village in Pulwama, terrorists massacred 24 Kashmiri Pandits, including women and children.
June 13, 2005: A car bomb explosion in Pulwama killed 13 civilians, including school children, and more than 100 others were injured.
June 12, 2006: Nine workers from Nepal and Bihar were killed by terrorists in Kurgham.
July 10, 2017: An Amarnath Yatra bus attacked in Kurgam and killed eight people.
February 14, 2019: The Pulwama bombing killed 40 CRPF personnel, one of the most destructive terrorist attacks targeting security forces in the region.
