Israeli, Italian Among Over 25 Tourists Killed in Pahalgam Terror Attack: Sources

Pahalgam: Two foreign tourists, including one Israeli and one Italian, were killed in one of the biggest terror attacks to have shocked Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir, sources said on Tuesday. The attack has claimed over 25 lives so far, with many others injured.

The incident occurred in Pahalgam meadows, a non-motorable region accessible only on foot or horseback, but very popular among tourists. 

The lack of motorable access made it difficult for authorities to evacuate the injured tourists after they were attacked by the terrorists in a ruthless act of violence.

Though a final death toll has not been issued by relevant authorities, Israel has said that there were no Israeli victims in the Pahalgam terror attack.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shared his condolences to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and people of India, saying they stand with India in wake of this cowardly terror attack on innocent civilians.

In a statement, Netanyahu said, “My dear friend Narendra Modi, I am deeply saddened by the barbaric terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, that killed and injured dozens of innocents. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims & their families. Israel stands with India in its fight against terrorism.”

Italy Prime Minister Georgia Meloni also expressed her grief on the Pahalgam terror attack saying, “Deeply saddened by the terrorist attack that occurred today in India, which caused numerous victims. Italy expresses its closeness to the families affected, the injured, the Government and all the Indian people.”

Major global leaders including Donald Trump , Vladimir Putin among many others have expressed their support for India in its fight against terrorism after terrorists targeted innocent civilians in the valley.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was Saudi Arabia at the time of attack, cut short his visit and left for India on late Tuesday night. PM Modi is expected to arrive in India anytime in the early hours on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, he has already directed Union Home Minister Amit Shah to rush to Kashmir and handle things. The Home Minister on Tuesday evening chaired a high level meeting to monitor the security situation with top officials, army commanders, police, government and local administration. 

Amid this, Pakistan , whose terrorists planned a cowardly terror attack to target Indians civilians in Kashmir, is in panic and has already activated its air defence monitoring system, fearing a possible retaliation from India.