SRINAGAR: What was meant to be a serene family holiday in Kashmir turned into an unspeakable tragedy for a family from Shivamogga, Karnataka, after a militant attack in the Baisaran Valley of Pahalgam claimed the life of 47-year-old Manjunath Rao. Rao was shot dead in front of his wife Pallavi and young son Abhijey on Tuesday, as gunmen opened fire on a group of tourists.
The attack, which took place around 3:00 pm in the lush green meadows of Baisaran—often referred to as ‘mini Switzerland’—has sent shockwaves across the Valley. Panic and chaos have gripped Pahalgam since the shooting, with tourists hurrying to leave and locals expressing both grief and anger.
Karnataka Police have confirmed the victim’s identity and are coordinating with their counterparts in Jammu and Kashmir. Authorities are working to ensure the safe return of Pallavi and Abhijey, who were eyewitnesses to the killing.
In response to the attack, the Army’s Victor Force and other security agencies have launched a massive search operation in the area. The region has been cordoned off, and security has been intensified.
As news of the attack spread, local traders and residents of Pahalgam gathered for a candlelight protest at the main tourist square on Tuesday evening. The peaceful demonstration, held in solidarity with the victims, conveyed deep sorrow and revulsion over the assault on innocents. Protesters, holding placards and candles, condemned the violence and reiterated Kashmir’s age-old tradition of hospitality and peace.
“This is not just an attack on tourists, it is an attack on humanity,” said a local shopkeeper who participated in the protest. “We want the world to know that Kashmiris stand with the victims, and we reject such barbarity.” Residents in Pahalgam have opened their homes for the tourists stranded at the picnic spot.
Leaders across the political spectrum have condemned the attack, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah have pledged swift action. Modi, currently in Saudi Arabia, said the perpetrators “will not be spared” and called the incident a direct attack on India’s unshakable resolve against militancy.
For now, the town of Pahalgam is cloaked in sorrow, its natural beauty overshadowed by grief. As security forces hunt for those responsible, the Rao family and others like them are left grappling with a holiday that ended in heartbreak.
