A peaceful trip to Pahalgam turned into a bloodbath on April 22, 2025. A group of tourists had just reached Baisaran Valley, a quiet spot surrounded by pine trees, nicknamed mini-Switzerland.

Then it happened.

Gunfire. Screams. People running for cover.

Militants came out of the forest and opened fire. The place, only reachable by foot or pony, offered no easy escape.

The numbers? Still unclear.

Indian Express says 20 dead, 10 injured.

Times of India and Firstpost report 1 dead, 12–20 injured.

One woman said her husband was shot in the head. Her voice, shaking. Her pain, raw.

Helicopters were rushed in. Injured people were airlifted to hospitals. The army locked down the area and began search ops.

Why now?

It's tourist season. Just before the Amarnath Yatra. The timing couldn't be worse.

Leaders across the board responded fast.

PM Modi called it a "heinous act."

Amit Shah flew to Srinagar, promised "harshest consequences."

Rahul Gandhi asked why this keeps happening.

Omar Abdullah called the attackers "animals."

Mehbooba Mufti demanded answers on security lapses.

Ravinder Raina blamed Pakistan-backed terrorists.

The good news? Locals and security forces moved fast to help.

The bad news? This will shake the fragile trust tourists have in Kashmir's peace.

It's like booking a mountain retreat and walking into a warzone.

No one saw it coming.

But now, everyone's watching.