A Gujarati tourist was killed and three others from the state were injured in a terrorist attack this afternoon in the Baisaran area of Pahalgam. The assault, which targeted the popular tourist destination in Jammu and Kashmir’s Anantnag district, claimed the lives of 27 tourists in total. Officials have described it as the deadliest attack in the region in recent years.
Terrorists disguised in Army uniforms launched a deadly attack in Pahalgam on Tuesday, targeting both tourists and locals. Shailesh Kalthiya, a tourist from Surat, was killed in the gunfire, while three other Gujaratis—Vinod Bhat from Bhavnagar, Manik Patel, and Rino Pandey—were injured.
The ambush occurred around 3 PM in Baisaran, a picturesque meadow accessible only by foot or pony. A group of tourists was exploring the area when 2-3 armed militants, dressed as soldiers, opened fire at close range, leaving many injured in the sudden and brutal assault.
The death toll from the Pahalgam attack has risen to 27, with reports confirming that two foreign nationals are among the deceased. One of the victims, Shailesh Himmat Kalthiya, was a resident of Harikunj Society in the Chikuwadi area of Surat. An employee at the State Bank of India in Mumbai, Kalthiya had been vacationing in Kashmir with his wife Sheetal and daughters Niti and Naksh.
He was killed instantly after being shot in the chest during the indiscriminate firing by terrorists. Due to the day-long chaos and communication breakdown, his family in Surat received confirmation of his death only later in the evening. His wife and daughters are confirmed to be safe. The District Collectorate has announced that Kalthiya’s cousin, Mayur Dafnia, will travel to Kashmir tomorrow to bring back his remains.
Surat Group Safe
Another group of tourists from Surat, consisting of 27 people including senior citizens and children, was reported to be temporarily stranded in Kashmir. Kiritbhai Dave, a member of the group, confirmed that they had travelled through SG Tours and are currently safe in Rajouri. Local authorities have reassured their families about their wellbeing and are monitoring the situation closely.